John Wayne remains the most famous icon of the west that has ever existed when it comes to film. His swagger and speech patterns have been copied by many a mimic and fellow actor and his collection of classic western roles has never been matched. During his final years Wayne continued to make westerns and the most amazing thing was that even at 64 years of age he made some that were highly entertaining such as BIG JAKE.
Wayne stars as Big Jake McCandles, a man who does things his own way and who tamed the country that he lived in. When McCandles grandson is kidnapped by a group of mangy looking cutthroats led by John Fain (Richard Boone), McCandles wife Martha (Maureen O’Hara) sends for him. While still married, the two have separate lives due to the fact they both have head strong ways.
A demand of $1 million is made and Jake is set to take the money in trade for his grandson, a child he’s never laid eyes on. But this is a changing west and the sheriff and his men set out to catch them first in the newfangled cars that are the rage. Unfortunately the cars also can be easily dispensed with after being shot which happens in an ambush. Waylaid and with no way to get help, Jake leaves them water and tells them to head back while he continues on with his task.
Accompanying Jake are his old Indiana friend Sam Sharpnose (Bruce Cabot) and two of his sons James (Wayne’s real life son Patrick) and Michael (Christopher Mitchum, son of Robert Mitchum). While Michael offers his father the respect he is due, James has a problem with him witnessed when Jake first got off of the train when he arrived home. As the story progresses, James learns to have more respect for his father.
The foursome travel down the dusty trail, following the map left them by the kidnappers. One night after setting up camp, Fain rides in to make sure that they are following the instructions given and to provide them with new. As the two men eye each other down you know a final confrontation will eventually happen.
The foursome head to a small town in Mexico where the kidnappers feel safe. But word of their cargo has preceded them and another group stands ready to take the money from them. Needless to say things don’t go according to their plans.
With this new trouble out of the way Wayne sets out to follow the final instructions. That showdown between the bad guys and the good guys is all set in motion and all we have to do now is wait to see just who will and who won’t survive.
What seems to be a simple story of a kidnapping has more layers to it than one would expect in a John Wayne film. Not only does it tell that story but it shows a world that is changing, much like Wayne’s was at the time. The old law of the west was being replaced by real laws and horses were being replaced by machines. But men like McCandle still rode tall in the saddle and made sure that things were done proper.
The movie also shows a character in McCandles that did what he had to do to survive but at the same time realizes what he missed in the process. A grandchild he never saw and sons he never had the chance to be a father for. But there is always time to repair broken walls and to be there for family.
The blu-ray transfer of this film is beautiful, offering some tremendous scenery and some well styled photography. It might appear to be nothing more than what was done for most TV westerns of the time but it gives the viewer the chance to witness all the action that the screen can hold and more.
As I’ve said before, it’s great that these classic John Wayne films are being released in this format. One can only hope that they continue to do so. My guess is that event he black and white films would feel much improved with this format. Now all we can do is sit and wait. But until then we’ll have films like this one that we can enjoy.
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