![]() ![]() A period near and dear to my colleague Colin McGuigan, as shown in his wonderful Riding the High Country blog and in his excellent review of the film from a few years back. The Big Country remains one of the definitive westerns to come out of the 1950s. “Saul created a title sequence, a symbol and a comprehensive advertising campaign for this drama about a cultured Easterner (Gregory Peck) trying to make peace between two Western families fighting over water rights.” Planer’s keen lens in capturing Wyler’s view of the West’s expanse and in doing so visually coalesced the segment with the Saul’s distinct credits, as well as its glorious movie score. The title sequence was also a testament to cinematographer Franz F. The film’s opening incorporated its titles into an rousing film sequence that framed tight action shots and panoramic stretches of the old west on the big screen in equal aplomb. Once more, I highly recommend reading both as they give the famed graphic artist his due. The above quoted dialogue is featured in another fine summary post of this movie at the Art of the Title site by Pat Kirkham 7, who also authored Saul Bass: A Life in Film and Design. “If there’s anything I admire more than a dedicated friend, it is a dedicated enemy.” -MAJOR HENRY TERRILL Some of that mattered when it came to its “big” opening sequence, which was one of best done by the famed graphic designer, Saul Bass 6. Even its production issues were more than ample 5. Its aspect ratio 3 was 2.35:1 4 for the 35mm print used in theaters. Everything about it was oversized: a 2 hours and 46 minutes (166 min.) run time - the average for a 1950s movie was 100-110 minutes 2. With that said, and since one of my older movie articles has been ticking up on blog views, thought to give the referenced film’s opening titles an appreciation.ĭirector William Wyler’s The Big Country (1958) is very much that. Am cautiously joining in as viewing a movie on a large screen, in a grand hall made for it, has been a unique and thoroughly enjoyable endeavor in my life. Here’s hoping we truly are in a better place at stemming the spread of COVID-19 1 as more of us have returned to watching movies once again on the big screen rather than at home or on mobile devices. Opening Titles and Song: The Big Country (1958) ![]()
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