The Big Trail (Two-Disc Special Edition) | 
 enlarge | Directors: Raoul Walsh, Louis R. Loeffler
Actors: John Wayne, Marguerite Churchill, El Brendel, Tully Marshall, Tyrone Power Sr.
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $10.89
You Save: $9.09 (45%)
New (32) Used (10) from $8.91
Rating:  44 reviews
Sales Rank: 3802
Format: Black & White, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 122
Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 2251930
UPC: 024543519300
EAN: 0024543519300
ASIN: B0014BJ1A4
Theatrical Release Date: November 1, 1930
Release Date: May 13, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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Product Description
The movie that made John Wayne a star Raoul Walsh's The Big Trail comes to DVD for the first time in its original 70 mm Widescreen version. This 2-disc Special Edition featuers both the 70 mm widescreen and the alternative standard fullscreen version plus three new docs. System Requirements:Running Time: 212 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: WAR/CLASSICS Rating: NR UPC: 024543519300 Manufacturer No: 2251930
Amazon.com
One of very few widescreen productions filmed at the dawn of the talkies, The Big Trail was dismissed by reviewers of the day, little seen, and soon shelved and forgotten--for more than half a century, as it turned out. For movie buffs, it became a sort of Holy Grail.After all, the esteemed Raoul Walsh had directed, the early 70mm angle was tantalizing, and wasn't this the movie that was intended to make a star of Duke Morrison, a 22-year-old former prop man whom Walsh had rechristened John Wayne for the occasion? For curiosity value alone, surely it rated a look. Restored in the late 1980s and warmly embraced by film festival audiences, The Big Trail proved to be more than just a historical footnote. What were those 1930 reviewers thinking?! Wayne is fresh, exuberant, matinee-idol handsome, and irresistibly charming (only a little purple prose trips him up, and no one should have been asked to speak such early-talkie flapdoodle anyway). The scenario winds through epic settings from the banks of the Mississippi by way of the Grand Canyon to the snows of Oregon and the mountain vistas of Washington, marking both a wagon train's journey and the settling of a personal score between trail guide Wayne and Tyrone Power Sr. as a veritable ogre of a villain. (A villain off-camera, too: Legend holds that Walsh had the actor beaten nearly to death for attempting to force himself on leading lady Marguerite Churchill.) The Big Trail is now an authentic classic, and a swell movie. Probably always was. --Richard T. Jameson
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| Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...
 John Waynes first star movie August 12, 2008
Having seen "The Big Trail" on tape previously, it was great to see it remastered in it's original format of 70mm (one of the first wide screen movies) and for saying it was one of the very early sound movies - 1930 it was ahead of it's time. I thought for this movie you could see the potential was there for John Wayne in times to come.
The quality of the picture and the sound were greatly improved, the storyline was good with a great supporting cast and what's more with the 2 disc set you got it in 35mm also with comparisons of the two formats and how they had restored the film. Regretably it would be another 9 years before John Wayne made the big time with "Stagecoach" as the "Big Trail" never took off because of the expense of the projectors for 70 mm in the cinemas and he was relegated to poverty row B movies for 9 years
Years Ahead Of Its Time: An Iconic Epic That Expounds "Manifest Destiny" And Other Template Themes Of Post Silent Westerns August 9, 2008
This review is for "The Big Trail" (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONCE AGAIN AMAZON HAS LUMPED REVIEWS FOR ALL VERSIONS OF "THE BIG TRAIL," THUS DENIGRATING THIS DVD VERSION!!!
I am baffled as to why reviewers have given the restored 70mm (wide screen) version of "The Big Trail" anything but five stars. As other reviews have indicated, the film was made on the cusp of "talkie" movies and the innovation of William Fox's 70mm The Grandeur Process that would eventually lead to modern day wide screen format films in 1953--twenty-three years after "The Big Trail." As such, viewers need to keep in mind that the script, filming, and editing were all based, in various degrees, upon the silent film format of filming. Furthermore, this is not really what I would call a "western" by today's standards, although it clearly is the template for the genre. Nor is is it an action or drama film. Rather, "The Big Trail" is a silent movie "lag" that has seldom been repeated in movies with sound: it is, what I prefer to call (I have no idea if there really is such), an EPIC genre film. The "frontier," the "trail" and the "story" are the movie; not the characters, the plots, or the themes. The history of the film is, as discussed by others, a sad one; but hopefully this new release (2008) of "The Big Trail" will vindicate its greatness.
WARNING: If you like "traditional" westerns, lots of action, drama, or other modern aspects of the western genre, "The Big Trail" will most likely not appeal to you. "The Big Trail" was made before CGI, wide spread use of models and stage sets, and standardized props and costumes. Instead, Walsh went for "realism." And he had the advantage of having both worked as a "cowboy" on cattle drives and spending time with well known American Indian leaders. I cannot state for certain, but I believe that Raul Walsh wanted to re-establish a base line for how westerns should be made. "The Big Trail" was definitely a good start; unfortunately the economy and the times were not ready. Even more unfortunate, when Hollywood did restart the western genre, they took Raul Walsh's ideas and bent them in the "wrong" direction. As such, then, you may want to stick with your favorites or check out "newer versions" of "The Big Trail," such as "How The West Was Won."
As I stated above, I feel that "The Big Trail" is the template that started the western genre of movies with sound. In deed, I would argue, that while I label it an "Epic" genre film, it is the mother of the western genre, and one of the finest "westerns" ever made. The fact that it has not been available in its filmed format until now is most likely why so few--if any other--link subsequent westerns to this film. Most notable of these "innovations" is the use of western settings as an integral component of westerns. "The Big Trail" majestically displays the beauty and splendor of the west, as Raul Walsh filmed in at least two locations each in Arizona, Montana, and Utah; three locations in Wyoming; five locations (including Sequoia National Park for the conclusion) in California; and one or more sites in Oregon. (Many of the scenes include vistas of over five National Parks). The entire film was shot on location and on a budget of approximately $2 million dollars! Many of the locations seen in "The Big Trail" are not even there today.
Unlike many subsequent movies and television shows about "settlers" going west, "The Big Trail" actually depicts many (rather than none, one or two) of the true hardships endured in their journeys. The film shows people dying of thirst and other environmental hazards; and while not overtly stated, portrays the fact that more people died from the "elements" than from the one "Indian" attack (which have become the center piece of newer westerns). Walsh shows babies--human and animals--being born; couples getting married; spouses and children dying; the elderly dying; and many other aspects of life on the trail--including internal strife. Many of these aspects became templates for future films; others were never--to my knowledge--shown again. For example, it shows the wagons actually being lowered by ropes over cliffs! "The Big Trail" also establishes the types of characters that became central to the western genre--in particular, the rugged individualistic loner; the tough guy. Conversely, I don't think another western has come close to capturing the nature of Tyrone Power Sr.'s character, Red Flack, in costume or portrayal of the "grungy bad guy." And one cannot ignore the fact that it was Raul Walsh who dared to take an unknown "actor" named Duke Morrison, change his name to John Wayne, and cast him as the lead. That 23 year old Wayne doesn't seem polished to many should be no surprise; rather that Wayne does so well is a true harbinger of his future in films. Add to this the fact that many of Wayne's lines were not written (by request of Walsh) but rather elicited by the other character's lines--often impromptu as well--and I find Wayne's performance to be one of his finest! But I know that it will still take many years before Wayne's critics wake up and recognize that he really was a great actor as well as a great presence on the screen--his personal opinions aside.
Another phenomenal aspect of this movie, which has not really been touched on, is that there were actually four casts--American, German, Spanish and Italian stars--and the film was shot in both 70mm and 35mm (full screen at the time). That means that Walsh had to shot each scene at least four times with two different types of cameras--more cameras if he wanted extra footage. This in itself is amazing, especially given that there were: 1) nearly a thousand Native American actors and extras--including Charles Stevens, a grandson of Geronimo, and Nino Cochise (uncredited), a grandson of Cochise (both Cochise and Geronimo are legendary Chiricahua Apache leaders); 2) over 2000 extras; and 3) over 1500 animals (horses, cattle, oxen, pigs, mules, etc.).
In deed, I would (as a non-trained film critic) not be surprised to see "The Big Trail" compared to, and eventually seen as superior to, many of the movie classics. For those who have seen previous releases or the film on television, please rent or buy this version to enjoy the real version of "The Big Trail"--I have both. The quality of this DVD, especially given the age and processing that it had to go through is superior to many "new" movies. The bonus material is informative, although the the commentator, film historian/author Richard Schickel, is often biased in his comments and his commentary does have inaccurate information (e.g., Moisie is not in Utah, but Montana; and the buffalo scene was filmed there on the Flathead Indian Reservation because the herd was the only sizable herd left in 1930).
Please Note: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.
"The Big Trail" is HUGE! July 30, 2008
"The Big Trail" (Fox, 1930) is one fine Western. With John Wayne in his first starring role, this film is eminently enjoyable. Filmed in both 70mm (Fox Grandeur) and standard 35mm, the widescreen version is the better of the two. It really captures the scope of the scenery and the interactions of the actors. It was the first sound film made entirely on location, in six states covering some 4,000 miles.
The acting is very good, with Tyrone Power, Sr. a standout as the villain. (This was Sr.'s only talky; he died of a heart attack in 1931.)
The print quality is excellent, but the sound is somewhat muffled, as is true of many films of that era. There was talk at one time of re-releasing this film to theaters (now I'd go to see that one!) but nothing ever came of it.
This is one film that everyone should have in their collection. The quality of the picture is in many ways far ahead of most of the big-budget Westerns that followed.
Thanks to Fox for this Widescreen release July 15, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Fox deserves much credit for releasing "The Big Trail" on DVD in its original 70mm widescreen format. The film is clearly best viewed in this format, as director Raoul Walsh composed every shot with seemingly hundreds of extras and animals milling about in the background to give a real sense of what it was like to be involved in the move westward.
The film itself is a truly big epic, and is of historical interest for a number reasons, not least of which is the first starring appearance of John Wayne. Raoul Walsh, whose career went back to the days of Griffith, does a magnificent job marshaling the extras and controlling the spaces within the widescreen frame.
Fox has provided the standard, 4:3 ration version on Disc 2. This is not a pan&scan or cropped version, but is quite literally a different film altogether, having been shot separately from the widescreen version to be shown in theatres not equipped with the wide screen projectors. It's worth owning, but can't match the grandeur of the widescreen version.
Also included (on disc one) is a commentary track with historian Richard Schickel, and a number of informative featurettes detailing the early careers of both Raoul Walsh and John Wayne, the development of the 70mm widescreen system used on this film, and finally, a "making of" documentary.
Well worth the cost, and coming in attractive packaging, this is a DVD set well worth owning.
The Big Trail July 5, 2008
This is the film that should have made a star of John Wayne - But did not.
Having watched it several times since I purchased it I really am at a loss
to see why. I have now seen both the standard screen version and the widescreen and, although the widescreen was not shown in many cinemas at the
time due to the need for special projectors (unlike Cinemascope where only
special Projector lens are required) the film itself does not lose a lot by
being shown as standard. It is an extremely good story with plenty of action
and great scenery and the acting well above the norm. for the time it was made. Tyrone Power (in his last film) is excellent as a baddie and John Wayne is a cracking hero-as good as he has ever been. I rate the film 8 out of 10, and not to be missed.
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