{"id":39770,"date":"2017-12-18T14:53:04","date_gmt":"2017-12-18T21:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=39770"},"modified":"2020-12-02T17:06:29","modified_gmt":"2020-12-03T00:06:29","slug":"big-trail-the-1930","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=39770","title":{"rendered":"Big Trail, The (1930)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;We can&#8217;t turn back &#8212; we&#8217;re blazing a trail that started in England.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Poster-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-39778\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Poster-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Poster-96x128.jpg 96w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Poster.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA frontiersman (John Wayne) seeking revenge on the man who killed his trapping partner agrees to lead a wagon trail headed west, not knowing the man he&#8217;s looking for is actually the sinister wagon boss (Tyrone Power, Sr.). Meanwhile, he falls in love with a beautiful widowed mother (Marguerite Churchill) who resists his advances, and is instead interested in a duplicitous gambler (Ian Keith).\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historical Drama<\/li>\n<li>John Wayne Films<\/li>\n<li>Raoul Walsh Films<\/li>\n<li>Settlers<\/li>\n<li>Westerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nRaoul Walsh&#8217;s epic early western is notable for featuring Wayne in his first leading role:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-56017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne.png 720w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne-128x102.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne-338x270.png 338w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and for being shot in an <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/70_mm_Grandeur_film\">experimental wide-screen process known as Grandeur 70<\/a>. As an impressive recreation of the challenges of westward expansion, it visually rivals <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=24004\"><em>The Covered Wagon<\/em> (1923)<\/a>; but its narrative is too cliched to maintain substantial interest. Power&#8217;s identity as The Baddie is not only revealed early on, but entirely foreseeable give his over-the-top performance:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Power-Sr.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Power-Sr.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-56018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Power-Sr.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Power-Sr-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Power-Sr-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Power-Sr-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and Wayne&#8217;s romancing of Churchill (who&#8217;s offended by his accidental kiss of her early on, and can&#8217;t seem to let that go) is similarly predictable. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne-Churchill.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne-Churchill.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-56019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne-Churchill.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne-Churchill-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne-Churchill-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wayne-Churchill-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The best scenes are those showcasing the numerous perils faced by the intrepid settlers; the worst are those featuring &#8220;comic relief&#8221; El Brendel as a Swede terrorized by his menacing mother-in-law (Louise Carver). <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Impressive recreations of the Westward Movement<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wagon-Crossing.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wagon-Crossing.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-39772\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wagon-Crossing.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wagon-Crossing-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Wagon-Crossing-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Mud.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Mud.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-39777\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Mud.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Mud-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Mud-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Mountain.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Mountain.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-39776\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Mountain.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Mountain-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Mountain-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>Fine cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Cinematography.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-39773\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Cinematography.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Cinematography-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Cinematography-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Cinematography2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-39774\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Cinematography2.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Cinematography2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/Big-Trail-Cinematography2-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s worth a one-time look. Listed as a film with Historical Importance in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0020691\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s838trail.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1930\/11\/02\/archives\/a-grandeur-production-the-big-trail-has-remarkable-scenes-in.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;We can&#8217;t turn back &#8212; we&#8217;re blazing a trail that started in England.&#8221; Synopsis: A frontiersman (John Wayne) seeking revenge on the man who killed his trapping partner agrees to lead a wagon trail headed west, not knowing the man he&#8217;s looking for is actually the sinister wagon boss (Tyrone Power, Sr.). Meanwhile, he falls in love with a beautiful widowed mother (Marguerite Churchill) who resists his advances, and is instead interested in a duplicitous gambler (Ian Keith). Genres: Historical&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=39770\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39770","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=39770"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39770\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56020,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39770\/revisions\/56020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=39770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=39770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=39770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}