The Big Country
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The Big Country was a 1958 American movie starring Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives, Charles Bickford, and Chuck Connors. Based on a novel by Donald Hamilton, it was directed by William Wyler. Ives won the Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his performance, as well as the Golden Globe Award; the film was also nominated for an Oscar for its noteworthy musical score by Jerome Moross.
The story concerns newly retired sea captain James McKay (Peck), who moves to the American west to be with his fiancée Patricia (Baker) but finds himself in a battle between local warring ranchers - Patricia's father, Maj. Terrill (Bickford); and the more earthy head of a ragged rural family, Rufus Hannassey (Ives). McKay tries to keep the peace between families while also trying to prove his worthiness as a husband to Patricia. Ranchhand Steve Leech (Heston) provides suitable competition in that area, and neighbor Julie Maragon (Simmons) is between all sides as the neighbor whose water supply is a crucial natural asset to the ranchers.