Writing a Perfect Cast of Characters

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A video essay analyzing the terrific screenplay of the epic western "The Big Country" (1958), directed by William Wyler and written by *inhales*... James R. Webb & Sy Bartlet & Robert Wilder; aAdaptation by Jessamyn West & Robert Wyler (don't confuse him with Robert Wilder); based on the novel by
Donald Hamilton.
We'll take a look at how each of its seven major characters make the movie's world shine thanks to their surprising similarities and differences. And this is also the best film to discuss the subject of masculinity, by opposing true manliness to infantile braggadocio.
Jim McKay (Gregory Peck) arrives in the west to settle down with his fiancée Pat (Carroll Baker), daughter of Major Henry Terrill (Charles Bickford), who's in a decades-long feud with the Hannassey clan, led by Rufus (Burl Ives, stealing the show).
The boastful men of the land like Buck Hannassey (Chuck Connors) and Terrill foreman Steve Leech (Charlton Heston) provoke Jim, but he doesn't need to prove his courage to anyone as he intends to buy the land of Julie Maragon (Jean Simmons) and put an end to the feud.
Also mind how beautifully composed are Wyler's scope frames.
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#videoessay #filmmaking #screenwriting

[@davidmurciaaristizabal5381]

You'r videos are GOLD dude... don't stop

[@RealWolfmanDan]

So good

[@davidthe16th90]

I love how masculinity can be represented as something more than toxic. These screen play writers really knew what they were doing and werent lazy in their creation of characters. Love your videos btw. Ive been binging your channel this whole week.

[@marcdraco2189]

I know, imagine that. I watched a couple of oldish monochrome classics and in both cases the female characters ranged from meek (the minor ones) to Bosses (the major characters) that are equally capable of putting the men in their place - without going whining to the Internet.

[@Selrisitai]

@@marcdraco2189 It's a shame that the progressive left would consider those meek and boss characters to be representative of patriarchal control and female subjugation. "I know she has what it takes to make a good wife." Heresy! Who would do something for a _man?_

[@genevievedisemelo5584]

they show the toxic masculinity aswell as the healthy good masculinity, something the boys of today really need to learn the difference between.

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

I recommend the video by Film Therapy, about Aragorn and Toxic Masculinity. Mad Max Fury Road works great for that too, both are modern examples but it is great to see how entirely heroic and masculine and badass someone can be and it never requires toxic masculinity traits. Here its especially refreshing when you see that in a movie from the 50s because while classics are abound in that era, thats definitely an aspect that you don't often see. Nowadays, people preaching their masculinity online actually have zero idea what masculinity is, now its used by insecure people and misinforming a lot of young men, who idolise super insecure dudes like Andrew Tate. Where is the Humphrey Bogart, Gregory Peck, Kirk Douglas, James Stewart sort of male heroes/role models. It's so strange that the sort of men that are looked up to, idolised, or seen as role models nowadays have gotten so much worse, criminal, and just downright pathetic/insecure.

[@marcdraco2189]

@@GuineaPigEveryday I think that society has emasculated the original “man” and those paranoid, terrified young men idolise the simple bully like Andrew Tate or the charming lothario like Russell Brand. They mistake love for sex and passion. But cinema, as a reflection of society has attempted to appeal to modern women by projecting unreal expectations on both men and women. Young men lack purpose and they certainly lack good role models, young women trade their youth for careers and when the clock starts to tick the train has already left the station. In the end both are embittered and both blame the other for the failure that society has lain upon them.

[@EphReinhard]

Wow this movie is so down to earth, telling both men and women to stop playing around and men up-women up.

[@VitriolicThunder]

Started this video, then stopped to go watch The Big Country, and wow. One of the greatest movies I have ever seen. Why can't we get characters like this nowadays? And the way it's shot is just beautiful. How have we fallen so far?

[@gabriel0961]

Love your takes on masculinity and how you use western movies to bring in the subject. Great video as always.

[@alexrollinsberg4736]

Saw this at the Quad Cinema in NY a few years ago, it blew me away for all of these reasons. I've been evangelizing for it ever since, so happy you are too. Also this is the best channel on KZbin.

[@jamesensor6240]

Agree greatest western ever made. Almost Shakespearean in its themes of rivalry, vengeance, love. Great direction, acting , writing, music, action. Just to note it based on a novel by Donald Hamilton creator of the rather nasty Matt Helm novels. Have been trying to find a copy of the novel for a few years with no luck.

[@sheets75]

I was able to find the novel from a library sale and read it a while back. It's very good, as Hamilton's books are, but it's very short and tightly written considering how long the movie is. As I recall, the movie is reasonably faithful to it although the book is more hard-boiled. Characters who were simply unpleasant in the movie are almost sleazy in the book. I would recommend it if you do find it.

[@dr.juerdotitsgo5119]

My favorite movie channel by far, a true hidden gem. I sincerely wish it gets big one day, but when that day comes I really, really hope it doesn't sell out LOL (i.e. either shilling or committing to superhero movies and Disney remakes).

[@john5880]

The analyses of this channel are top tier.

[@jimmyj1969]

Burl Ives ALWAYS steal the show! A bombastic cinematic figure!

[@moritzfuehlbuch4720]

I love that movie, it was formative for my view on what it means to be "true to yourself" and "your own man". I haven't rewatched it for quite some time, but will now. Great channel! Im happy to see it grow.

[@brookvalley907]

My cousin and I were just discussing this past week what a wonderful movie it was. She had seen it on TV recently, but we originally saw it at the movies when it first came out. I immediately remembered Burril Ives performance. That had to be a master class in acting. We both felt that it was one of the best movies we had seen, even though it was designed as a blockbuster, with everyone wearing nice clean pressed clothes, which made my cousin and me laugh since she grew up on a farm and I grew up in a small town in the Midwest. Ain't nothin' clean or pressed on a farm.

[@melanie62954]

It's nice to see some Wyler love--he's one of my favorites! You make me want to rewatch this classic. Luckily, it's free on KZbin :)

[@nikolaskerameus]

As a gen z I have to look for movies on online lists and this channel has really expanded my knowledge of cinema and film making. For ever grateful 🙏

[@tom-vj9lz]

Day 60 of waiting for a 5 hour long moviewise video about Hamlet 1996

[@gigel008]

No kidding I just saw the movie for the first time a week ago and couldn't help but notice the lack video analysis of the movie all across the youtube. Great timing!

[@thirtychurchlane8671]

The perfect choice of movie for this week. Brilliant. Thank you

[@paulteti]

Outstanding review I'm so glad you did this video, this is one of my favorite Westerns of all time.

[@rileylederer8800]

This film is so incredible and criminally overlooked.

[@praguestepchild]

Not as criminally overlooked as this channel

[@Nicksonian]

I don’t think it’s overlooked. TCM plays it regularly.

[@rileylederer8800]

Average reviews on Letterboxd. Almost never brought up when people talk about the best Westerns. @@Nicksonian

[@longmondays]

The only youtuber I have notifications on for

[@jodi2847]

Can't believe I've never heard of this film. 😮

[@andreasesser4641]

Another stellar Western with Burl Ives is "Day of the Outlaw". It is one of my favorite B-Westerns, and more proof you can tell excellent stories with small budgets.

[@cocoacrispy7802]

McKay (Peck) and Terrill (Bickford) can also be seen as representatives of two distinct Americas: From that point of view, the movie represents the triumph of the North over the South, not only in the Civil War, but in the culture war over desegregation. While the northern United States was settled primarily by farmers from more established European countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and especially England (particularly from areas around London), the southern United States was settled primarily by herdsmen from the more rural and undomesticated parts of the British Isles. These two occupations - farming and herding - produced cultures with starkly different notions of honor. Some researchers argue that herding societies tend to produce cultures of honor that emphasize courage, strength, and violence. Unlike crops, animal herds are much more vulnerable to theft. A herdsman could lose his entire fortune in one overnight raid. Consequently, martial valor and strength and the willingness to use violence to protect his herd became useful assets to an ancient herdsman. What’s more, a reputation for these martial attributes served as a deterrent to would-be thieves. Thus Terrill exemplifies the code of honor for Southern men, which required having, above all, a willingness to use violence to defend any perceived slight to his reputation as a man of integrity, strength, and courage, as well as any threats to his independence and kin. .🤠🤠🤠😎😎😎

[@_Johnny_BRAV0]

Beautifully narrated character arcs

[@henryj.8528]

Sy Bartlett also co-wrote 12 O'Clock High also starting Peck with some of the same themes.

[@Geronimo_Jehoshaphat]

I think it's definitely a top 5 Western ever.

[@MelIssa-rb9mq]

Mr. Moviewise you are a genius 👑

[@Josephpirro]

Always a great day when I see a new moviewise video is up

[@ElthTales]

The Big Country is one of my favourite films :) I am so glad that your channel is getting more exposure, your videos are interesting, fun and make me learn a lot.

[@bobbyjosson4663]

A bravura essay. How about one on Wyler's friend, Billy Wilder. And especially his much neglected 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes' (1970).

[@MelIssa-rb9mq]

Everybody who knows and understands a little bit about Film will praise you. Everytime i watch your Clips (since i discovered your channel every day) i learn more and more. Thank you very much. I hope you become very very rich✌️😁👑🧿💖

[@jayhayles7114]

Had vague memories of watching this as a kid but revisited it last month. It was such an amazing film its been catapulted to my top five of all time. The writing, the messaging, the cinematography but most notably the blocking were amazing. Will go on regular repeat in my house from now on.

[@burtingtune]

Great video. One small thing: Gregory Peck and Jean Simmons´ characters dress in a similar style as well.

[@mikep1556]

Very good and thank you. This was the first film I ever watched - long time ago and probably a bit adult for me at the time.

[@janerkenbrack3373]

Good review of a great movie. When I saw the movie I was already long past youth, and recognized all the character arc details you mentioned. And I was floored by how good Burl Ives was. I had previously only known him from his voiceover in Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer, and a couple of folk music albums my mom had. The characters in fiction are supposed to face personal challenges where their character is tested, they can either grow positively from it, or fail to achieve that growth. In The Big Country we get several examples of both. Heston's arc reminded me of Ben Johnson's character in Shane, who recognizes how he wants to face life after chaffing with Shane.

[@paulkelly2701]

If you haven't yet, go see 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'. That's the toxic version of the character he plays here as the supporting cast who rises to be the effective lead.

[@janerkenbrack3373]

@@paulkelly2701 Seen it.

[@lonjohnson5161]

I'm not into westerns, but I actually want to see this.

[@MahoroAndou]

I've never even heard of this movie and now it's on my must watch list.

I just comment for the algorithm. I love your channel.

[@steffengerlach8395]

Thank you so much for this brilliant review. Truly appreciated. This movie is one of my all time favorites (among the top 5) and always will be which has proven over time to grow better and better. It had a strong impact on me when I was young and showed to me what real masculinity means a well as having an own opinion, sticking to it and being true to yourself. For me it's undeniably an underrated classic and masterpiece which deserves much more attention and of course a beautiful 4K UHD restauration and re-release. Love it.🥰 Would be great to watch it in theater one day.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

Just recently catching your reactions. Most are from a year or so ago..was pleased that a very recent one showed up. Keep on .. keeping on..we who love true cinema need you. 😊

[@njuham]

My brother emailed me a few weeks ago, said he watched this and was glued to the screen. I've seen it in the 80's.

[@rickc2102]

Ordinarily I'm not into Westerns, excepting the odd double-feature night of Bone Tomahawk and Hate Fellate, but this one here looks worth a trip down old-school lane, thanks!

[@user-eg1cf2yo9l]

A complete education and Insight into Cinema. I never miss a single video.

[@believewhat]

Right now, October 23, The Big Country is available with no commercials on Amazon Prime.

[@sunilKumar-sy9pm]

I hope your channel grows with every passing day.

[@jayallman]

This is a terrific video essay (no surprise: all your video essays are triple-A quality) but I have to dissent at least in part from your judgement of "The Big Country." (Which I watched for the first time after seeing you had made a video about it.) 1. Visually, it is ravishing, and it makes me a Wyler fanboy. It is never showy, but effortlessly showcases those skills you have praised him for in other videos: skills with blocking, camera movement, composition, and so on. That by itself makes the film worth watching, and I am glad I did. 2. In its dramatic structure and its themes it is also well-crafted, as your essay makes clear. Alas, I found it too neat and schematic to be really engaging. That you could so quickly and deftly sum it up says less about your skill as an essayist, and more about how overly processed and pre-packaged its themes and morals are: it has all the inert simplicity of an allegorical cartoon, the kind that shows (say) Prudence carrying the urn of Virtue safely over the abyss of Temptation. I much prefer the muddle and desperation of "The Man From Laramie," which offers similar characters, situations and dilemmas, but which feels like life captured by drama, rather than as Lessons Presented for our Edification. 3. Casting is part of the problem. Burl Ives is terrific, and makes his corner of this geometrical proof feel squalidly lived in; Charles Bickford, as his nemesis, is less flamboyant but just as good. The actresses are easy on the eyes, and are excellent at projecting spoiled vanity (Carroll Baker) and intelligence (Jean Simmons). But Charlton Heston is too stiff to project Leech's internal conflicts. Arthur Kennedy (who plays the equivalent character in "Laramie"), Montgomery Clift, or (had he been alive) James Dean are the kind of actors the role required. As for Peck ... 4. Good Lord, but is Gregory Peck an unattractive bore in this film. Rigid, unctuous, complacent, moralizing. He doesn't exemplify--let alone inhabit--the masculine virtues that McKay possesses; he preens them like a peacock. He shines with virtue, but he shines like a suit of armor, so that there is neither doubt nor strain in McKay's performance of his duty; and when he buttons up his fight with Leech with that prissy little moral--"And what did this prove?"--he doesn't sound manly, he sounds like an old schoolmarm. At least half of the problem here is the very schematic script, but half the blame must be borne by Peck. Monty Clift, James Stewart, or Henry Fonda could have better expressed the strain of trying to do right, and would thereby have made the story feel much less pat. I appreciate all the points this film is making, and the points you make in praising it. But "The Big Country" is far too glib--to much the smug, mid-century liberal Statement of Principles--to be really enjoyable. I wish that Anthony Mann (whose Westerns appreciate right and wrong, and also appreciate both masculinity and the corruptions it is prey to) had prepared the script and cast the picture, then stepped aside to let Wyler lens it. PS. Like many of your other commenters, I've been binging your channel since discovering it. Thank you so much for you videos. They are a treasure!

[@czwarty7878]

As for morality of McKay, even from the first scenes there was one thought I had: all this moralising standpoint McKay holds turned out to be right approach only because the nestor of Hannesseys, Rufus, turned out to be a man of principles and honor in the first place. If it was Buck who was in charge instead, our hero would be dead on his first attempt at doing anything. For the entire moral compass of McKay to work it requires all sides to be honorable, intelligent, fair and righteous. Since these traits are not exactly innate and guaranteed in human beings, such approach has high chance to drive a man to his (not really honorable) death.

[@jayallman]

@@czwarty7878 An excellent point! One that reinforces my unhappy sense that the story was carefully constructed to deliver a pre-determined moral.

[@typicalhooman101]

Your videos have helped me identify what makes a films direction good just from a few of the opening scenes and maybe more anything how to make a movies runtime effective without any bloat. Genuinely thankful for this Channel

[@_horainutil8470]

I always watch your videos to know what I should watch next. Thank you for making my knowledge of cinema better. I know sometimes you put the name of the movies in the end, but it would be great if you make a "subtitle track" with the name of the movies while on screen, just a idea. Anyways, keep with the excellent work (sorry for my crappy english)

[@JackBlack191]

The subtitle track with the movies would be great

[@James-Tanner]

Absolutely amazing analysis! Have you cataloged your channel into some kind of course? It’s the best independent critique I’ve ever seen! Rivals studio binder with the old man’s voice! IMO

[@ashzinho]

bro your channel is awesome

[@Ranall75]

Great video. To me, Lawrence of Arabia is the deepest and most complex study of true manliness. We learn that he enjoys pain within 15 minutes, and this ennobles him with fearless wisdom and power on his journey. There are also so many layers that David Lean tastefully adds to every scene as well as countless characters who never understand Lawrence as either Man or Myth.

[@zetectic7968]

This is a long film (over 3 hours?) but the pacing is good & it never drags. The landscapes & the cinematography means the big country is a character as well. Always worth a watch, no explosions or special effects.

[@ShawnSpencerAndBurtonGuster]

its only 2 hours 46 minutes

[@Cappuccino_Rabbit]

One of the few movies where having a long length is justified

[@deebugger]

Incredible breakdown - thank you!

[@paulkelly2701]

I am using your video here as a master class in how to properly dissect cinematic art cogently, intelligently,. fairly and insightfully. Oh,, and yes, I dearly love Burl and Charlton here. Gregory already proved he could this kind of thing and Jean Simmons was so sterling I look on her performance in Spartacus as so much wasted time (Kubrick really could have given her more to do than be basically narrative click-bait for Kirk).

[@russellandrews1177]

Another brilliant video.

[@Zed-fq3lj]

Beautiful movie! Another great video from one of the best movie channels on youtube! Thank you dude!

[@thakshnamoorthyekt9592]

Just found ur channel..watched many videos.. Thank you so so much for all your content.....for making me appreciate Art of cinema much more than i used to...

[@JamesTateWilson]

Great video, please keep up the great work.

[@WMCheerman]

Great work!

[@JokerMxyzptlk]

I just watched this today on your recommendation, and I loved it! I’ve seen so many great films in the last few weeks that I would never have known about if not for your channel. Not to mention the educational content as well. Seeing positive manliness in films has been a bit of a surprise. Recent Hollywood has conditioned my expectations to the point I found these old films shocking.

[@dr_volberg]

I saw this movie once on TV on a Sunday afternoon like 20 years ago. I remember that horse taming scene and her reaction like it was yesterday.

[@EndingSimple]

Another good one. I think I've become addicted to the way you present the material. Your voice acting is unique.

[@artistsingerwriterproducer8288]

I like write in lyrics/Reims, which are like and it is easier for the actors etc to learn and play it with fun.

[@kurtisrobertson2151]

You are the man!

[@Joeblax88]

I sought this film out because of this vid and wasn't disappointed; thanks very much. Up there with The Man from Laramie for my money.

[@AScreenwritersJourney]

Great video! As someone who generally doesn't like westerns, I'll put this one on my watchlist.

[@steverayner4678]

Paused your video. Ordered Blu-ray! I trust your judgement and can't wait to see it.

[@gubbothehuggo2771]

Regarding the two love interests, as a very funny wise man said, “you can’t walk down two roads with one foot each.”

[@peacefrog5193]

excellent video

[@Acrocanthosaurus]

This is the most underrated western of all time.

[@Of_infinite_Faith]

My only issue was that the only character who shows change is Leech. The others are static, only reveal their layers as the film goes on. But it still works well.

[@WilliamTheMovieFan]

Excellent work sir! The Big Country is really a fine film. I particularly like the way the film lets the audience “breathe”. The pauses really gives us, the viewer, time to really think about the story and the characters. The scenery is telling the story as well, so many filmmakers like Wyler and Ford really showcase it. It seems many modern films cram too much into every scene and don’t give the audience time so soak in the story.

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

Yes, ever so many modern movies lack good pacing, a narration that lets the audience settle in and digest, yet has a certain rhythm to structure it and a certain poetic flow with its character driven mood shifts. "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" and "The Lighthouse" got that right. But it saddens me that this has become such a rare quality.

[@hpoonis2010]

It is a movie I have enjoyed watching many times.

[@darioscomicschool1111]

I FEEL MANLIER JUST BY WATHCING THIS AND LISTENING A MANLY VOICE #puffingyourChest+10 13:22 He GROWN MAN NOW! 13:52 MAXIMUS THE KIND!

[@artistsingerwriterproducer8288]

I study that at the IFS Cologne/Germany

[@thesamati]

كنت بكره صوتك وطريقتك الوقتي مبحبش غيرها❤❤❤❤❤

[@Mike-wr7om]

Given the time period in which it was made (the 1950s), I always interpreted the feud between the Terrells and Henneseys as a parallel to the Cold War rivalry between the USA and the USSR. If so, the movie is critiquing hawkish people in the 50s, who were eager to show their "manliness" by itching for a war with the USSR. The movie says this is false manliness, false bravery. True courage, true manliness, does not consist in bravado, machismo, and always itching for a fight. True courage, true manliness, is found in the wise restraint of Gregory Peck's character. Wise men, who exercised calm self-possession and restraint, like Peck's character, should be our paragons of manliness, especially in the midst of Cold War tensions, when we needed men like that. I always thought the title had a double meaning, referring not just to the big open plains of Texas, but also to the Cold War rivalry that sought to settle the question of who was the biggest (i.e., most powerful) country (i.e., nation) on earth.

[@JunebugPresents]

This makes me want to watch the film, and I'm no fan of Westerns. It has clear philosophical conflict and great characters. I didn't exactly pick up a good inciting incident, but I'm sure I will when I watch it. Thank you for sharing.

[@Tigerfire75]

Jim could have become a lawyer and defended the defenseless

[@nelisezpasce]

This makes me want to create stories myself, what better compliment is there?

[@comrademax57]

Ive felt so seen when I watched this

[@ShayTsfoni]

This isa beautiful video and a much better one (in my opinion) dealing with masculinity than the others of yours that I've seen, but I would still say that it's more about two world views than it is about masculinity. I feel like I'm slowly getting closer to understanding your views on masculinity but I still think it is more interesting to talk about ethics, morals and things that drive people than it is to talk about manliness. in any case these videos are great and you are do good at making them interesting and educational

[@Badastro59]

Fabulous review, I love this film. And Burl Ives. As a man with a simular body shape he was proof you are the you think you are, Now do cat on a hot tin roof

[@zacnewford]

nice 1

[@vickdisco]

My God, they don't make movies like this anymore.....

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

What about "There Will Be Blood"?

[@user-cr1vd3yp6w]

What's your opinion on the movie "for a few more dollars?" Also what is your favourite psychological thriller?

[@artistsingerwriterproducer8288]

Have a look in my shorts, some of the was in the Filmfestivals, but it win every time the bloody etc short, what I do not like and will never produce

[@randomname3535]

Whats the name of the song at 1:06

[@ojacobsen3727]

Not really a great western, (it has a moralistic stage play quality, too allegorical) but a big scale studio melodrama that I adore all the same. A family epic where you care about every character, even the ones with limited humanity.

[@Nicksonian]

It’s fairly called a Western.

[@ojacobsen3727]

i know that there are cowboys in the movie. @@Nicksonian

[@solomonrichards599]

0:27 What is Willem Dafoe doing there?

[@tobilobaojuroye9024]

Here's your reminder for a video on MIRRORS

[@shivanjalpawar]

I absolutely hate the westerns atmosphere or theme but if there's something that can bring my interest in it, it's probably William Wyler's direction and of course Movie wise analysis 😂

[@nas7541]

Robs grandpa don't do it😂

[@antoinepetrov]

Great videos, but something's bothering me. Where are you from, cause that accent confuses me

[@zetectic7968]

He is Portuguese or maybe Brazilian

[@solomonrichards599]

Bigger than Ben-Hur?

[@Nicksonian]

IDK if it’s because it’s an American story, but I like The Big Country more than Ben-Hur. Ben-Hur has a decidedly different take on, um, masculinity.

[@Nicksonian]

Interesting that the shallow dingbat is a blonde and the sensible independent woman is raven haired.

[@Selrisitai]

I think that's playing on stereotypes for the sake of visual representation. It's not like Hollywood was ever afraid of making blondes in movies sensible.

[@Nicksonian]

@@Selrisitai Ya, I rather thought that was obvious.

[@ConradSpoke]

But the pacing of this movie is SOOOOOO SLOOOOOOOW. It plays like a table read.

[@Cal80085]

Damn, with all this knowledge, you could direct your own film.. Why don’t you?😢

[@speggeri90]

First?!

[@JackbenImbel2274]

Hello @Moviewise, just letting you know your losing at least one viewer due to KZbin threatening me off the platform due to AdBlock useage. I am hoping you and other cool creators will create backlash to make these scumbags allow people like me to surf this, free of ads. Otherwise, you've been great Batman, so long.