Movie Information
Overall Rank: 1893
Average Rating: 2.9/4
# of Ratings: 75
Theatrical Release Date: 05/26/1971
Language: English
Genre: Western, Action
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: George Sherman
Actors: John Wayne, Richard Boone, Patrick Wayne, Christopher Mitchum, Bruce Cabot, Bobby Vinton
Plot: The McCandles ranch is run over by a gang of cutthroats led by the evil John Fain. They kidnap little Jacob McCandles and hold him for a million dollar ransom. There is only one man who is brave enough and smart enough to bring him back, and that man is Big Jake.
Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
4/4
Bill Ward - wrote on 11/08/2020
A story of lost, tragedy and reunion in the old west. Big Jake is a classic old western film that depicts the normal western flick from Hollywood. This film in particular displays numerous aspects of the average everyday western flick. Like most movies, the good guy always wins and ends up saving the day for the supporting protagonists. Many villainous bandits, cattle barons, and the southwestern geography also are key elements to the visuals of the film. With the invigorating storyline, and great use of character description, this film is a must see for anyone who wants to see a fantastic western movie. I give this film high praise, and will always recommend it for anyone wanting to watch a great western movie.
Rating of
4/4
Philippe - wrote on 10/05/2014
One of Duke's very best. Definitely in Top 5 with The searchers, The man who shot Liberty Valence, The shootist and The quiet man. Big Jake is an all time favorite of John Wayne's true fans like author Gary Wills (John Wayne's America).
Rating of
2.5/4
Unknown - wrote on 12/04/2011
Not one of my favorites of John Wayne, but I still liked it.
Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
N/A
Big Jake
mturcsanyi - wrote on 11/09/2020
Big Jake is a pretty standard Western Classic from John Wayne, but with a few elements to make it stand out to me. I thought it was interesting to see a classic western tale with both cars and a motorcycle introduced. I wouldn't ordinarily expect to see such modern flares in a classic western, but I think that calls back to both John Wayne himself and "Big Jake", who are both holding onto the "old ways", even when the world around them may be changing. Additionally, when I think of Westerns, I think of the "lone wolf" hero, the gunslinger roaming the plains on his own, but not this film. Jake being accompanied by the family from which he was estranged added an additional layer to this plot. Of course he is going to get the "bad guy" in the end and save the day, but after seeing Jake …
Rating of
3/4
Big Jake Review
Jacob Ward - wrote on 11/06/2020
Big Jake is your average western John Wayne flick, but also packs a great punch. Of the western films I have seen, this is one of the more complete and interesting western films I have viewed in my few years of western experience. Fun fact about this film too is that I was named after this film hence my name being Jacob "Jake."
From my analysis of the film, I found it to be a really great thrill ride of a western flick. Riding horses in the desert, kidnappings, bandits, traps, shooting, showdowns, etc. Everything you want in a western cowboy film gets delivered to you in this experience. When we look at it through a Hollywood scope, we can notice some everyday plot lines most western flicks depict. In the genre, they usually depict gang bandit plots, revenge stories, cavalry …
Rating of
N/A
Big Jake -a classic John Wayne film
Leeann Houser - wrote on 11/02/2020
Big Jake, one of John Wayne’s best performances, is the classic Western with a twist. Like some of John Wayne’s later pictures, the main character is faced with the modern world and his fight to remain true to his ways.
Called to his family he hasn’t seen in about 15 years, he is hired by his ex-wife, played by Maureen O’Hara, to track down and rescue his grandson he has never met.
His two grown sons join him and conflict within the group boils over as Big Jake confronts the modern world technology and mores.
An Apache tracker named Sam and John Wayne’s dog round out the team in search the kidnapped grandson.
Good all around action keeps the audience interested. One word of caution, this is a brutal movie, though most of the action is staged so that it is left to the …
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