Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by padreken (A) on February 17, 2007 at 11:08:19

In Reply to: The Big Country---- posted by patrickU on February 12, 2007 at 13:47:14:

I'm embarrassed to admit this was my first viewing-it's so impressive I've spent the last few hours wondering how on earth I made it to age 47 before my first encounter. Burl Ives was a revelation-the image of the kindly old man singing Blue Tail Fly and Holly, Jolly Christmas is gone forever! The scene where he bursts in unannounced at the party to welcome McKay is perfect, a marvel of tension, as is the final duel between McKay and the black sheep Hennessey son (Chuck Connors is great in this role). Beautiful cinematography, with the western landscape beautifully filmed, worthy of Ford and an integral part of the story itself. Some of the best work I've ever seen from Gregory Peck, too-he appears something of a dandy when he first arrives by coach, but one soon finds out there is much, much more than meets the eye. A wonderfully centered, thoughtful, moral character. The Jerome Moross film score is one of the best, too.