The Big Trail Overview:

The Big Trail (1930) was a Adventure - Western Film directed by Raoul Walsh and produced by Winfield R. Sheehan.

SYNOPSIS

Pioneers heading for Oregon, led by the Duke in his first starring role, endure the hardships of weather, unfriendly strangers, and internal strife in this sophisticated early sound film. The straightforward Western tale is now overshadowed by its place in history as an early example of Fox's widescreen Grandeur process, its naturalistic sound, and prototypical Wayne performance.

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The Big Trail was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2006.

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Quotes from

Ruth Cameron: They say you're going to hunt down Flack and Lopez.
Breck Coleman, Wagon Train Scout: That's what I aim to do.
Ruth Cameron: But you can't do this awful thing - take two lives.
Breck Coleman, Wagon Train Scout: Frontier justice.


Breck Coleman, Wagon Train Scout: Say, Zeke, who was the he-grizzly that just went by?
Zeke: That's Red Flack. He's bullwhackin' for Wellmore. He's gonna whack Wellmore's train clear through to Oregon.
Windy Bill: You reckon you'll ever find out who downed old Ben?
Breck Coleman, Wagon Train Scout: It's just possible that a certain low-down coyote left his sign there.


[Breck speaking over Wendy's grave]
Breck Coleman, Wagon Train Scout: Well, Zeke, old Wendy has gone on another trail.


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Facts about

Reportedly this film debuted at a running time of 158 minutes. However, this is unconfirmed as of May 2008.
Gary Cooper was originally offered the role of Breck Coleman and wanted it, but he was under contract to Paramount Pictures, which refused to loan him out. The role was eventually given to John Wayne.
Incredibly, five different versions of this film were shot simultaneously. (1) a 70mm version in the Grandeur process for exhibition in the biggest movie palaces; (2) a standard 35mm version for general release; (3) a 35mm alternate French language version La piste des géants' (4) a 35 mm alternate Spanish language version La gran jornada, and (5) a 35 mm alternate German language version Die große Fahrt. The three alternate language versions were shot with (mostly) different casts.
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National Film Registry

The Big Trail

Released 1930
Inducted 2006
(Sound)




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Also directed by Raoul Walsh




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Also produced by Winfield R. Sheehan




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Also released in 1930




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