The Big Sky (film)
- Kirk Douglas: Jim Deakins
- Dewey Martin: Boone Caudell
- Elizabeth Threatt: Teal Eye
- Arthur Hunnicutt: Zeb Calloway
- Steven Geray: Jourdonnais
- Buddy Bear: Romaine
- Hank Worden: Poor Devil
- Jim Davis: Streak
- Fred Graham: Sam Eggleston
- Paul Frees: McMasters
The Big Sky -. The wide sky is an American Western by Howard Hawks from 1952 The screenplay, adapted by Ray Buffum and DeVallon Scott, based on the novel The Big Sky by AB Guthrie Jr..
Action
1832 decides the trapper Jim Deakins Kentucky to leave his home and to seek in St. Louis to work. Along the way he meets Boone Caudell. Boone is falsely accused of a crime and is on the run. The two men become friends quickly, Boone accompanied Jim. In St. Louis Boone proves Indian -hater, as he tries to knock down an unsuspecting Indians. Jim is clear that Boone's prejudices by his alcoholic uncle Zeb, half Indian, were triggered.
In search of his uncle Boone meets Sam Eggleston, the owner of the Missouri River Co. Sam informed Boone that Zeb owe him the money for a vanished whiskey delivery. In a restaurant, there is a fight between Jim and Boone and Eggleston men. Jim and Boone are arrested. To their surprise, they recognize in one of the inmates Boone's Uncle Zeb. Zeb explains the two to more than Eggleston's machinations. Zeb and his partner were working as free traders who pose a risk to the Company. Zeb's partner was murdered then.
After the three men to be released, and Jim Boone Zeb accompany on a dangerous boat expedition to the Indian territory of Montana. The leader of the expedition, Jourdonnais warns his men against the dangers of 2000 miles wide journey that will lead them right into the tribal territory of the Blackfoot. For their protection, they are accompanied by the Indian Teal Eye.
Zeb tells his two companions that the Blackfoot fear the whites because they want to take possession of everything. The expedition, which was able to defy all dangers, such as rapids and Indian raids, is harassed by a group of white men. The men attacked the camp and kidnap Teal Eye. The kidnappers are working for the dealer McMasters, who wants to prevent the expedition reached the Blackfoot. He lets set fire to the keel boat called " Mandan ". The boat, however, can be saved. Two of McMaster's men are captured and confess their work for McMasters. Teal Eye may soon be freed it. It concluded with the Indians trade agreements. Boone decides to marry Teal Eye and spend his life in the Blackfoot.
Criticism
The lexicon of the International film describes the film as " exciting adventure movie of above average size, convincing in its delineation of character, with magnificent landscapes of the Missouri territory. Masterful in the complete version, especially as the film the confrontation between civilization and supposed wilderness of physical and spiritual "values", boasting binding love and unbridled desire for freedom as a struggle of antagonistic forces. "
The film magazine Cinema sees in the film " gorgeous guys cinema, the first time unabridged "
The Variety described the film as a gigantic landscaping epic whose effect would, however, affected by the monumental length.
Also, AH Weiler of the New York Times criticized the length of the film. This Howard Hawks have not explored the psychological depth of the pioneers.
Awards
The film received three nominations. For the Oscar nominated Arthur Hunnicutt as Best Supporting Actor and Russell Harlan for the best S / W camera. In addition, Howard Hawks was nominated for the Directors Guild of America Award.
Background
The premiere took place on August 6, 1952. In Germany the film was first published on 15 May 1953 in an abridged version by almost 50 minutes. He was later also shown under the titles The Secret of the Indian and the river pirates from Missouri. On November 2, 1971, the ARD radiated a reconstructed version with a length of 125 minutes.
The film was shot in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
The literary source of the film by AB Guthrie, Jr. was the first part of a trilogy. The second part, entitled The Way West 1967 filmed by Andrew V. McLaglen with Kirk Douglas in the lead role ( German Title: The Way West ). The third part (These Thousand Hills ) was filmed in 1959 by Richard Fleischer.