A New Englander (Gregory Peck) arrives in the Old West to marry a beautiful young (Carroll Baker) , there he becomes embroiled in feuding families with rival patriarchs (Burl Ives , Charles Bickford) over a valuable patch of land and water rights on a river . Furthermore , this exciting Western pits stubborn Gregory Peck and tough ranch foreman , Charlton Heston, as ongoing adversaries , both of whom carry out a marathon fist-fight .
Impressive and big-budgeted Western with action , adventure , thrills , energetic drama , spectacular scenarios and interesting message about peace and no violence. Outstanding acting from Gregory Peck as obstinate ex-sea captain forced to take sides in familiar battle and Charlton Heston stands out as quick-tempered cowboy . Two beauties as Jean Simmons and Carroll Baker give splendid performances . Special mention to Burl Ives who deservedly won Academy Award as burly pater families. Brief appearance , almost extra , of Roddy McDowall as watchman . Wonderful camera work by Franz Planer who photographs marvelously the colorful outdoors and interior . Classic musical score by Jerome Moross , one of the best from cinema's history . This marvelous Western , as long as epic , has become a classic , being stunningly and finely crafted directed by the maestro William Wyler . Wyler was an expert on Western as proved in ¨The Westener , Friendly persuasion, Big Country¨, but his specialty were dramas as ¨Jezebel, Best years of our lives , Dodsworth , The heiress, The letter , Wuthering heights , Dead , These three ,The collector ¨ , his biggest hit was ,of course, ¨Ben Hur¨. Rating : Very good but overlong as the runtime is approx three hours . This famous Western will appeal to Peck and Heston fans . Worthwhile watching and above average .
