The Big Country (1958) 60th Anniversary 1080p BluRay x265 HEVC AAC-SARTRE

In The Big Country Gregory Peck plays a seafaring man who heads west to marry Carroll Baker, the daughter of rancher Charles Bickford. Bickford is currently embroiled in a water-rights feud with covetous Burl Ives, so both he and his daughter are hoping that Peck can take care of himself. But Peck, who doesn't belief in fisticuffs, appears to be a coward, especially when challenged by Bickford's cocksure foreman Charlton Heston. The far-from-cowardly Peck decides to distance himself from the machismo overload at the Bickford spread, settling for a romance with headstrong schoolmarm Jean Simmons, whose water-rich lands are being fought over by the two warring ranchers. When Jean is kidnapped by Ives' no-good son Chuck Connors, Peck decides to take action.

Extras

• Directed by William Wyler – Produced in the 80s, this is a comprehensive doc about the director's storied career, featuring interviews with Barbara Streisand, Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier, John Huston, Bette Davis, Billy Wilder, Charlton Heston, and more. Likewise, interviews with Wyler himself, shot shortly before his death, are included as well. The participants offer a detailed rundown of the man's path toward filmmaking and approach to directing while mixing in clips from his various films. (SD, 58 min)

• Wyler Doc Outtakes – Here we get extended interview bits from the documentary with Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston, and Billy Wilder. (SD, 23 min)

• Interview with Cecilia Peck, Carey Peck, and Tony Peck – Retrospective interviews with Peck's children are provided here with anecdotes about his acting and producing roles on The Big Country, including details on conflicts the star had with William Wyler during the shoot. (HD, 12 min)

• Interview with Fraser C. Heston – This is a retrospective interview with Charlton Heston's son about father's experience on the film. (HD, 11 min)

• Interview with Catherine Wyler – In the last retrospective interview, William Wyler's daughter discusses his career, experience with westerns, visual style, and falling out/reconciliation with Gregory Peck. (HD, 13 min)

• Fun in the Country – This is an amusing vintage promotional piece for the movie narrated by actress Jean Simmons. We are treated to various behind-the-scenes shenanigans between the cast and crew, including a card game between Simmons and director William Wyler, a chess game between Gregory Peck and Burl Ives, and Charlton Heston hunting a turtle... which he then races. So, in other words, despite having no real insights into the film's production, this is the greatest extra ever. (SD, 5 min)

• Larry Cohen on Chuck Connors – This brief 2012 interview discusses Connors work on film while lamenting the fact that his movie career never really took off. (SD, 3 min)

• Animated Image Gallery I – Here we get a reel of stills set to music from the film. (HD, 3 min)

• Animated Image Gallery II – Another reel of behind-the-scenes production photos and stills set to music from the film is included. (HD, 4 min)

• TV Promo – A TV spot for the movie. (SD, 1 min)

• Trailer - The film's original theatrical trailer. (HD, 3 min)

• Audio Commentary – Film Historian Christopher Frayling offers a steady and informative track focused on behind-the-scenes production details and light analysis. Frayling frames the commentary as his way of helping to reappraise the film, providing insights into how certain aspects of the movie may have been overlooked when it was first released. The historian discusses the film's themes, subversive approach to western cliches, and Technirama visuals, while addressing conflicts that arose between the director and stars Gregory Peck and Jean Simmons. This is a very worthwhile listen for fans.

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