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Film: The Big Country - 1958 Genre: Western/Romance ‧ 2h:46m Directed by: William Wyler Music composed by: Jerome Moross Produced by: Gregory Peck: William Wyler. Starring: Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston. Overview: Former sea captain James McKay travels to the American West to join his fiancée Patricia at the enormous ranch owned by her father, Henry Terrill, referred to by all as “The Major“. After a meeting with Patricia’s friend, schoolteacher Julie Maragon, McKay and Patricia are accosted by a group of drunks led by Buck Hannassey, the son of the Major’s ardent and implacable enemy Rufus Hannassey. In spite of the harassment and mockery, McKay surprises Patricia by making light of the incident and stating that he’s experienced worse and the boys meant no harm. The next morning, McKay declines an invitation from the Major’s foreman Steve Leech to ride an indomitable bronco stallion named “Old Thunder“. McKay then brings a pair of dueling pistols to the Major as a gift. When the Major learns of Buck’s pestering of his daughter and future son-in-law, he gathers his men and goes to raid the Hannassey ranch despite McKay’s attempts to defuse the situation. The Major’s group finds neither Rufus nor Buck, so they settle for terrorizing the Hannassey women and children, shooting holes in the Hannassey water reservoir. They find Buck’s posse in town and proceed to beat and humiliate them. Meanwhile, McKay privately tames and rides Old Thunder after many unsuccessful attempts, and swears his only witness, the ranch hand Ramon, to secrecy.
