This is my FAVORITE western of all time...I can watch it again and again. It has an underlying complexity and depth that many westerns lack, and I think that's why I love it so much.

the music in this film really makes it above and beyond

One of my favorite westerns supported by symphonic music and fine actors. I still love this classic.

I’m quite old-82 years-and have been seeing movies since I was four. The Big Country is without a doubt the best Western ever made. The acting, the camera work, the subtle psychological stories, the music…there is no other Western that can compare with it. I not only watch it at least once a year (on DVD). I also have a recording of that incredible music which I play frequently. It’s the best of the best!

The man I admired all my life. Mr Gregory Peck, a beautiful human being.

we still need gentlemen like him, Im definitely living in wrong time...

Indeed a great movie and Burl Ives did steal the show, fantastc acting by all. Chuck Connors was very underrated as an actor, I do not know why, he nailed this particular role. The sound track was superb...

It's funny that he seems to be saying that the movie wasn't great - the Big Country was one of the best westerns of all time! Whatever issues happened behind the scenes certainly didn't make it on screen, because it's a practically perfect film of epic proportions.

One of the finest "actors" of all time. Gregory Peck was embodiment of style, class and craft. Very hardworking, genuine artist.

These days I belong to the outgoing generation. My favorite genre is the Western, and I've watched several thousand of them, many more than once. I like High Noon, Shane, Rio Bravo, The big country, Warlock, Duel in the sun, Man who shot Liberty Valance, One-eyed jacks; The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly; Man from the West, Unforgiven, My Darling Clementine, Lonesome dowe, The Searchers True Grit, The nacked spur, Vera Cruz, and thousands other...

He's apologizing for one of the greatest films ever made!! One of my two favorites....great cast, great story, great scenery, great score.

"You wanted me, Pa?" "Before ya was born, I did!" Script sounded pretty good to me...

This was a pinnacle of Westerns.

In my (not so humble) opinion, this is the greatest western ever made. LOVE THIS MOVIE !!!

My favourite western with the best soundtrack (imo) .

Love Gregory Peck! One of the classiest actors to come out of Hollywood! My favorite western. Someone else said Burl Ives stole the show, and I have to agree this was his best picture ever. I also loved Gregory Peck and Jean Simmons together and of course the wonderful music in this movie!

This seldom appears on lists of "best western movies of all time" - but it's on mine.

It is truly the best movie I have ever seen. I cannot count how many times I have watched it. Wonderful.

Best Western Ever, and I’ve seen a bunch of them in 68 yrs!

This is as near a perfect film as anyone could shoot. Whatever happened behind the scenes, and it sounds like plenty did, didn't end up on film and you'd never know it. Its brilliant including the actors and character development, the story itself. One of my top 10 films and certainly one of the best westerns. Lesson for us all, when in pursuit of perfection, you don't realize you've reached some version of it already.

Gregory Peck is just class he is one those actors who dont make bad movies The Big Country is one of the best westerns ever made a proper western.

I just saw it again and it is an awesome movie. It is so much more interesting than many, it's psychologically often subtle where you see changes happening with Peck falling in love with this big country, and the way Burl Yves, supposed enemy respects him, so many great details. And It's great because it is really different from other westerns, where you are not sure where it's going. My favorite of all westerns.

I'm showing my age; I saw this movie when it came out at age 8. I loved it then and I love it now. I even bought the DVD and play it every couple of years. Unlike Peck, I saw no inconsistencies in the "buckboard scene" as he described but what the hell do I know. The music was exceptional and all the big stars did a great job. Without a doubt, one of the best Westerns ever portrayed on the screen. I even read the novel by Donald Hamilton!

just watched this film on the Criterion Channel, it was the restored version (a flawless must see) IMHO: It is the perfect storm of all the film arts coming together to create A SPECTACULAR WESTERN CLASSIC!

I loved it 100 times

difficult to understand how this magnificent film and score are never rated in top 10 westerns. To my mind, it rates far and away, the best. As for the score, well how evocative and a perfect fit.

And yet...............this is a classic movie !

“Men like him are very rare.” The best line in the film, spoken by a supporting character actor.

Better picture? It's a masterpiece

His presence, deep and comanding voice, a total huge star, Mr Gregory Peck, one of the best actors of all time.

This is like listening to the chef describe the enumerable ways to prepare a meal. We have to remember for the people involved in making films...that IS their job...so of course they are going to dissect and debate over all of the little things that the viewing public rarely catch or care about. The film is a masterpiece.

I did not know he held those reservations about the picture. I enjoy it, I break it out every couple years and watch it.

Fascinating interview! But in spite of production issues, I still think this is a fine film and well-cast all around. The acting was terrific. Yes, Carroll Baker was whiny, but she was supposed to be a spoiled brat, so it worked well. Jean Simmons was lovely, and I think she played it just right--part lady, part cowgirl. Burl Ives stole the show--he deserved that Oscar. And I love the moral of the story--that courage comes from standing up for what you believe in, not in going around trying to show the world how tough you are. And that Jerome Moross score...exhilarating!

There are already so many great comments... I adore this movie. My favorite scene comes at the end when Peck and Jean Simmons are on horseback and with no words, look at each other. Everyone knew by that look, it said it all. Greg Peck is my favorite actor of all time. His dignity on and off screen, his versatility as an actor, his excellence and calm professionalism and so many other qualities. The Big Country is one of my favorite westerns I love the classic iconic lines like, "It'll stick in your craw..." said by Burl Ives. what a great film.

He says it we could've had a better picture. I don't see how! It's hard to find a movie as good as The Big Country.

Loved the movie since I watched it for the first time earlier this year on Turner Classic Movie Channel

I love this movie and I think all the cast was great. Chuck Connors as the scoundrel, Buck, and Peck looked and acted really good. Burl Ives won the academy award for best supporting actor. I think this was my favorite role for Connors. Chuck Heston was great as the Major's main man but when Connors tells him to "go on home and shine up the Major's boots", you can see that he realizes he's doing the dirty work for a bitter and angry boss. Just an outstanding movie!!

What a great movie! I so wish William Wyler were still alive and making movies. Genius.

Just as is said about Peck's character in the film, one of the actor's lines is: "The only thing he's afraid of is being perceived as a show-off." (The old Thunder scene Peck keeps quiet.) On or off screen - a talented, modest man.

The definition of a "True American Western and Musical Score"!!

I found it interesting, when he comes to a standstill and calculates his next move. Definitely noticeable when he's making his decision to ride old Thunder for the first time... He says "Some other time" Ha! Classic move. I like the life lesson in the words of...... "Tell me Leech, what did we prove?"

It is one of the few movies I have watched many times in my life . Great story and great cast !

I’m watching it again now -I love the music - especially the theme song! It gives me chills! Perfect movie!

Gregory Peck was one of the best actors since acting was ever thought of........and that's a looooong time!

One of the all-time classic westerns, to be sure. I think we can take what Peck says with a grain, in that he was too involved in the making of the picture to be totally objective. I believe history has given it's own judgement on this terrific movie. But I almost have to agree that the Heston-Baker sub-plot was very underdeveloped. I think all the elements were there for some real dynamite between the two, but it just sorta "petered out". I always felt Peck and Simmons were a great match, once they came together, and a "natural" -- but wondered why the filmmakers didn't play up Heston and Baker coming together "on the bumpy road to love" -- as they were a good match for each other. I have a sneaking hunch they ended up together, after the dust settled!

big country was a great movie,,heston and peck were fanatastic,,

It sure became a wonderful memorable movie. Rufus crashes the engagement party. And so many others.

"Take it , man" to Quinn, and "You're in it now, up to your neck," to the English actor are two of the best imperative sentences ever filmed on a Hollywood screen, both in the last 1/2 hour of The Guns of Navarone.

The Great Gregory Peck . wonderful

Woogo eyes over Gregory and Charleston Heston. BEAUTIFULmen and intriguing actors .The Best of the best .

This is extraordinary! I’m living this because I’ve lived this film all my life (73!). Thank you for such an informative piece.

GREAT ACTOR.

Well, Mr Peck, that all may be true, but I believe that TBC is one of the greatest Westerns. If this quality of film can be made with a faulty script, and without a strong and brilliant overall producer, that makes your achievement even more impressive. RIP to all the exceptional people who made this film

I remember this movie. It's where Burl Ives gives the lines that are later used in Ren and Stimpys' "happy happy joy joy" song, "I told you I would shoot! Why didn't you believe me! Why didn't you believe me!!". Kewl.

A wonderful Actor is Mr.Gregory Peck

My all time favorite western. Possibly a bit too long . Explores various emotions far more than a typical western and that is what grabbed me.

Today saw it on 65” OLED, after many years. Loved it first time on my pioneer 50”plasma. OLED gave new life to the film. Could not take my eyes of the screen. Wyler shoot it pretty good. Always knew script had issues while watching it first time many years ago

Wonderful actor 👏👏 Wonderful film, my parents took myself and two sisters to see it at a cinema in Dublin in about 1963.

Just watched it for the first time. Terrific film with superb performances!

The greatest Western Motion picture of all time Period!!!!!

This is a lovely movie,Gregory peck a legend.

A true gentleman.

Loved this movie!

I think Peck's best film was "The Guns of Navarone" with Forman doing the script I believe. Niven, Peck, Stanley Baker and Anthony Quinn all had marvelous characters to emulate and blend.

Wyler, alongside Welles, would have to be in my humble opinion the finest of all the American film directors. If 'The Best Years of Our Lives' or 'The Heiress' don't impress you, then I am afraid nothing else will.

Is this Peck fellow glorious, or what? I saw “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Some performances and films will blow your mind! The book and film leave me in a quake. Gregory Peck was eligible for Hollywood Sainthood at the release of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I still need to see this film he is talking about here. I just needed to take this opportunity to gush.

I liked the buckboard scene. I don't shot angles, jack about pan right or left but I know what I like. I liked everything about this picture

The Big Country is an epic Western. I have loved it since first viewing, despite Mr Peck’s misgivings.

I find this interesting and I've found that some of the best movies come out of the improv when situations like this arise. This is probably my favorite movie. Thanks for posting it. :)

what a decent and humble man.

Great and beautiful actor

I like Gregory Peck in The Big Country, Twelve O'Clock High, and Roman Holiday. I have not seen a lot of Gregory Peck movies. The camera scenes in this film looked like a 1970s motion picture production because William Wilder was so good at making good use of the wide screen format.

Peck's character in "to kill a mockingbird" was very similar to this and Burl Ives just reproduced this in his role as big daddy.

So funny. I love that buckboard scene and I love almost all he dialog in the script. I think he’s a little hard on it. It’s a marvelous movie.

*One of my top 5 westerns - if for nothng else - the awesome musical score! But it was a very underrated film with an all-star cast esp. folk singer Burl Ives who won the 1959 Oscar for Best Supportig Actor! Chuck Connors was brilliant as Ives' rogue-ish son and this was after his professional baseball and basketball career - and just after his popular TV show 'The Rifleman' began.*

How cool - thanks for sharing!

One of the best movies ever........the way they used to make 'em

I've never seen the Big Country (or at least I don't think I have) so I need to catch it one evening. But its interesting that Peck was so critical of what is consider by most people to be a great film.

Burl Ives stole the show, can say enough about that fabulous man.

I first saw the Big country at the local picture theatre (about 1959) when I was in my mid teens. I really loved it then and have seen it many times since. It does not matter what might have gone on behind the scenes as the end product was a great film and one which one could enjoy every time one saw it. I loved the Chuck Connors role and as for Burl Ives, he was just brilliant and I remember when I first saw it, that I was hanging out for a gunfight between Charlton Heston's character and that of Chuck Connors but in hindsight, I guess it was natural that a gunfight should occur between Peck's character and Connors character which occur only for the Connors character to be killed off by his father. The film still remains, at least for me, one of the most memorable ever.

Y'all did a fine job, anyway, Greg. An excellent movie, with a cast that could not be replicated in the 21st century...

My favorite is On The Beach, but we was the greatest in everything he did.

Was settled years later when they finally spoke again and Wyler said I'm still not reshooting the buckboard scene.

yes l love that move

Peck was a perfectionist. He did things over and over again to get them right.

I think Pecks acting was underrated in this movie. Was pretty damn good as far as I remember

Gregory Peck was the "actor's actor." His characters ran the gamut - good, bad, or ugly. Even the "ugly" ones - Johnny Ringo and Captain Ahab - you felt something for. His works will remain CLASSICS.

The scene he described when he and Baker were in the buckboard set the stage for the Hennessy boys and their Papa. BTW, one of the Hennessy brothers was played by Jim Burk, one of John Wayne's stunt men who was an expert horseman who was in many of John Waynes movies, (Undefeated, Chisum, Alamo, etc.)

One of the greatest westerns of all time, without John Wayne. This was a great film with some of the greatest actors of all time, with a quality and serious life lessons you don’t often see in a western.

"Willy, will you take out that scene, because I look like a..... what??" What word did Gregory mention at 5:07 ? In spite of his malheur, I think this scene was absolutely brilliant because it showed perfectly the real persona of the character Gregory played. Yes Jubalcalif, I agree with you: Jerome Moross music is so great, he was a musical genius. My family and I love his music so much, he wrote the Charlton Heston movie "The War Lord", absolutely great piece of music.

a great man xx

One part of the script that missed the cut has passed into folklore as one of the great monologues. Burl Ives as Rufus Hennassey crashes Major Terrill', (Charles Bickford), party and delivers one of THE menacing diatribes...here on YT

I recommend reading actor, David Niven's books where he relates his own difficult experiences with director, Wyler. Long story short, he implied that they were good friends outside of work only. Apparently Wyler could be a scary guy on the set. (lol)

This is the movie I would place number one of all I have seen. I was very surprised to hear that GP was not happy with the script

Strange - I thought the script was one of the best. Lots of memorable lines.

I sensed there was tension in the film, ~ from Gregory Peck.. but I thought it was part of his character ...~ don’t forget his later projects, “ Boys from Brazil “ & “ the Omen “ ..,

So interesting.

I should not be surprised that my favorite western movie is an anti-western like The Big Country.

How amazing that the "script" didn't get in the way of the storyline - the movie was just great!

Great Western. The weakest element was the relationship between Peck & Baker. Hard to believe that the Peck character could have ever been attracted to the Baker character. AND I have never thought much of Baker's acting abilities.