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The Big Country

Name: The Big Country
Director: William Wyler
Released: 1958
Duration: 167 min

Representation Score

3.0/10

Limited

1958

Director

William Wyler

Runtime

167 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

William Wyler’s film serves as a significant deconstruction of the Western genre. It challenges the typical portrayal of the violent frontiersman by examining the psychological and social consequences of frontier life. The narrative highlights the tension between established legal systems and the tribalistic, anti-social behaviors of the ranching aristocracy. However, the film lacks modern multi-layered breadth, focusing mainly on the era's social structures with limited representation of LGBTQ+ and racial diversity.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Big Country have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The story focuses solely on the romantic relationship between the protagonist and the female lead, ignoring any LGBTQ+ themes.

How does The Big Country portray gender?

Fair

The film presents a nuanced take on masculinity by centering a protagonist who rejects violence. The female lead, Julie Marston, plays a significant role in driving the story with dignity and moral strength.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Big Country?

Limited

The frontier setting is portrayed through an Anglo-Saxon lens, with Native Americans appearing only marginally in the background of the main economic conflicts.

How does The Big Country represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques traditional Western frontier values by showing how vigilante justice and blood feuds are harmful and destructive.

Does The Big Country include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no significant portrayals of disabilities that play a key role in the narrative or character development.

Present on Screen

Critiques the myth of the heroic outlaw by questioning the 'code of the West'.
Gives the female lead a strong moral foundation and dignity.
Challenges traditional masculine hierarchies and the glorification of vigilante justice.

Limited or Absent

Does not include representation of non-cisgender identities or LGBTQ+ characters.
The racial landscape is narrow, focusing primarily on an Anglo-Saxon perspective.
Native American characters are minor and peripheral to the central socioeconomic conflict.

Official Synopsis

Retired wealthy sea captain Jim McKay arrives in the Old West, where he becomes embroiled in a feud between his future father-in-law, Major Terrill, and the rough and lawless Hannasseys over a valuable patch of land.

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