The Big Country - Blanco Canyon Sequence

[@rohansrider]

Considering it was one of the very best westerns, it begs the question why the theme did not win an Oscar.

[@Lgdnevada1]

Ah....yes..... Hands down...one of the most powerful moments in any Western....the music, the timing of the riders as they trickle in behind Steve...and the Major...never looks back....simply the highest art form...and no, they can't even come close to this today. "Alright. I've been alone before!".......and so it begins......... I think I've watched this 1,000 times...and could play it at my funeral, it is that embedded into my soul and mind... Thank you for posting...

[@castercamber]

One of the best movie soundtracks of all time.

[@paulward6717]

Its a scene that has everything...The Music fits it perfectly and it still makes my hair stand on end. A fantastic Western, with great Actors, sweeping Panorama's, one of my all time favourites. I only recently learned that Alfonso Bedoya (Ramone) never lived to see the Movie released....He sadly died in December 1957 shortly after completion, the Film came into the Cinema's in 1958. It never seems to age, and came at a time of the 'Big Epics'.....Spartacus, The Vikings, Ben Hur, The Alamo. Zulu. I got to watch them all as a kid.....Oh happy days!

[@sawardracng5]

One of greatest movies ever made. And I love the evolution of the Leech character to a man who can see the great flaws in the Major, his father figure since early adolescence, but still cannot abandon the old man to ride into all those guns alone. Love the fact, too, that as flawed as Steve Leech himself has been until that moment when he stands up to the Major, he's clearly earned the devotion of his men, who won't follow the Major into Blanco Canyon, but they'll follow Steve. Great movie. Characters of human dimension... human failings, and human strengths.

[@Beagle3561]

What else is there to say? One of the best scenes from The Big Country.

[@Publicity4you]

This was not only one of my Favorite Westerns... It was one of My Favorite Movies....Burl Ives nailed his Role.....THESE WERE REAL ACTORS.......not jus a bunch of pretty faces like today

[@matchingnumbers]

Its impossible to make a movie like this these days.

[@henryquenin6580]

Absolutely agree. Burl Ives stole the show. What an amazingly powerful performance.

[@RRAMJET82]

FOR THOSE WHO WANT A WESTERN CLASSIC THIS IS THE ONE.A FAVORITE FOR ALL TIME!

[@sorenbailey9888]

Superb brilliant scene.Jerome Moross score is blindingly excellent. I love the film. His music is a masterpiece to the films brilliance.

[@LoftusRoadLad]

When they all start to appear from behind the rocks, first Heston then the others--a hair standing up on the back of your moment. Classic.

[@SABURDETT]

A Western that always seems to be neglected when others are given high ratings.It is slow in places,but more than compensated by the tremendous cast. Burl Ives gives a moving and at the same time compelling performance.The ball room scene is fantastic.It is difficult to believe that Chuck Connors is the Rifleman when you see his seedy performance as the son.The sign of a good actor. Then you have sweeping music and camerawork.Sheer class!!

[@Videographic69]

Fantastic scene! There are many in this great movie.

[@barrycoleman5149]

fantastic scene, the comments below sum it up perfectly. Hairs standing up on the back of the neck stuff, the major is a proud man and Steve's loyalty is obvious. When they ride into the canyon to join the major !!! fantastic

[@maimzini]

Watch Heston after he rides in to join the Major. He's very careful to ride just behind (3:00), watching each man's mount to keep back by roughly a horse's head. As the other men ride in, watch again as Heston looks at the Major (3:29) with a grudging respect while perhaps choking on a little crow, realizing that the Major's valor wins, even though Heston's logic was correct. Kinda underlines Wyler's subtle anti-Cold War message: Sure we'll annihilate each other, but we'll do it with honor!

[@amoglo67]

My father´s prefered film and Peck´s character a life´s guide rule to him... and he was the most courageous man I never knew...

[@stevenmalone8954]

One of the greatest films ever with a soundtrack that stays with you whenever you hear it. Perfect acting from all actors, who could forget Burl Ives entrance! But this scene is just amazing, one of the all time greats, one I wish I was old enough to have seen on the big screen. Thank you for uploading this.

[@steveparadis2978]

The irony is that the scene had to be played that way because Bickford couldn't ride--he lied to Wyler. As Heston rides up to him, Bickford looks like he's on a dime horse in front of a grocery. And Heston is absolutely right. There's no need for an attack, yet or ever, except for Bickford's need for violent validation. The look on Heston's face at the end summarizes all the conflicts in him--rage and pride simultaneously in the old man, the pride of knowing (as Paddy Lee perceptively notes) that the others are following him and not Bickford, and that they will be killed for doing so--because he can not do the right thing and let the old bastard die. (Because, as Ives pointed out, the Major is a greedy land-grabber--no gentleman, despite his silverware.) It's the imprisonment of American masculinity, and the scene I show to people who say that Heston couldn't act.

[@stevemcgill7551]

3.07, with the music and the men riding up to join the major, fantastic, there's still that bit in me now if i had a horse and rifle i'd be with them as well. Brilliant film, when American film's were magnificent.

[@schwarzernerz]

UNIQUE!! GREATEST WESTERN MOVIE EVER. MORE THAN A CLASSIC.

[@RichardHell1959]

Was there ever a more handsome on-screen couple than Jean Simmons and Gregory Peck ?

[@SMX600]

The charging scenes like this has a awesome back ground music. You can hear a part of it in the video. Really awesome.

[@misspaddylee]

I don't think the Major or Steve realize that this signifies a changing of the guard. The men are following Steve.

[@barryweiss17]

They don't make them like this anymore. Great observation by Paddy Lee.

[@rickhebden]

The title of this music piece is called "The Welcoming" ... check out "The Big Country The Welcoming" to see and hear a superb full length version by a full orchestra !! Makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up !!

[@Lanespeeder]

And mine mate. Respect. A bit of loyalty..And the Majors face. He knew it.

[@mikelheron20]

For me the best scene in the movie is when Hanassey turns up at Terll's ball. Burl Ives was the real star of the movie

[@santurrones1]

Que gran escena del cine!!! , y la musica impresionante!!!!!!!!

[@lemaxmas]

Sad that few people got the anti-war and and very specifically anti-cold war theme that Wyler went after. Bickford and Hennessy represented the U.S. and Russia fighting for their own narrow self-interests while treading a dangerous path that could lead to destruction. Peck's view of a deeper understanding of honor and cooperation represented a wiser alternative. A great film none the less with a great cast.

[@realfunny7]

the major rides alone - he did not look back once - he knew steve & the boys would follow him to hell & back - the best scene in the movie i think

[@welcometoorefuge]

RED Rock Canyon, 50 yards from a major highway. A LOT of movies,commercials, magazine ads ,have been filmed there

[@lcs1956]

Wyler photographed and lit Heston like he was a Michaelangelo painting, especially in Ben-Hur but also here (2:02).

[@spartacusvikinga]

love it.

[@HOGEFAN]

Right up there with High Noon? I'll see Big Country another 1000 times before I watch another scene of High Noon. The Searchers and this one are tops in my opinion, followed by Stagecoach.

[@lemaxmas]

@chettmansberger Thanks very much "chettmansburger". I do wonder what people thought of the film when it came out and how many people get the real message. Wyler was pretty subtle about a lot of it, especially with his use of the long shots. Ironically it was a bit of difficult set/ Wyler and Peck were never quite happy with the script and these two collaborators ended up having a bad argument & they never worked together again. BTW, "...Dr. Lao" is one of my top ten favs. I love George Pal. :)

[@NakedTongues]

agreed great great scene and Bickford was the guy to play it: without this scene the movies is just flat you have to admire the way Wyler sets it up, bick riding out alone and then Hitchcock like one by one the rigers Poof begin to stream in

[@Sumoto999]

Now that's loyalty. Movies like this are not made anymore cuz their to American for modern day Hollywood...

[@jamesings]

It's called greed. Once upon time there were great actors and directors who want to make truly meaningful movies that carried certain principle and message. Now all these second rated actors and actresses only interest is how many millions they can earn making garbage movies with no values and principles. So think before you go and pay $10 to see a movie next time.

[@monteleone1010]

Right up there with "High Noon"!

[@bylindawyatt]

Ok here we go! I am from Arizona, with Steve...What? Major get back here!

[@gmcoleman56]

don't see this kind of character of commitment from people today...its there but a helluva lot harder to find

[@lemaxmas]

@JubalCalif Thanks very much JubalCalif, I really appreciate it.

[@jettrink101]

Classic!

[@MrOshguy]

Tim, yes, it just requires a solid script

[@fred5399]

Is it me or is that a ball busting theme?

[@realfunny7]

the best scene in the movie - The Major did not have to turn around he knew his men would back him

[@1948DESMOND]

how do you know they cannot make 'em llike they used to make 'em? is GLADIATOR not in the same league as BEN HUR? I, too, wish they would make blockbusters properly and leave out the sex and violence, especially the violence. but if the movie is TOO clean, nobody will go to see it, you see.

[@1948DESMOND]

in southern ireland, gregory peck was called gregory FECK. bruce forsyth is also called bruce FORESKIN. the bolshoi ballet is the BULLSHITE BALLET. and the list goes on. cannot recall anh more. HAVE YOU GOT A NY?