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

Red Flack, Wagon Boss: Well, if it ain't Bill Thorpe, hey? I always thought you was hung and planted, I expect.
Bill Thorpe: No, my time ain't arrived yet.
Red Flack, Wagon Boss: But it looks as though it might be drawing close.
Bill Thorpe: Well, I've been promised a hanging bee if I don't get out on the Penzy Belle, and the Captain promised me a necktie party if I set foot on the boat. It's a case of nowhere to go.
Red Flack, Wagon Boss: It appears to me you do your shooting by daylight with too many people looking on, hey?


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.


Pa Bascom: What did they do, Coleman?
Breck Coleman, Wagon Train Scout: Killed my best friend. And I've been on their trail ever since.
Pa Bascom: That's a serious charge. If you're sure, we'll call a settler's meeting in the morning to try 'em.
Breck Coleman, Wagon Train Scout: You can call a settler's meeting to bury 'em!
Pa Bascom: What do you mean?
Breck Coleman, Wagon Train Scout: I kill my own rats.


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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.
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.
John Wayne's first movie role. Raoul Walsh was having trouble casting the movie when he saw Wayne taking furniture off a truck. Wayne worked for the studio in the prop department.
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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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