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The Big Trail

The Big Trail

Drama · Western · 1930

Young scout Breck Coleman leads a wagon train along the dangerous trail to Oregon as he tries to get the affection of the beautiful pioneer Ruth Cameron and plans his revenge on the harsh scoundrels who murdered a friend of his in the past.

Movie details

The Big Trail

“A mighty drama of the early pioneers”

1930 Drama · Western 2h 2m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.7 / 10

Community rating

Young scout Breck Coleman leads a wagon train along the dangerous trail to Oregon as he tries to get the affection of the beautiful pioneer Ruth Cameron and plans his revenge on the harsh scoundrels who murdered a friend of his in the past.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Big Trail?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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First Cow

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In the 1820s, a taciturn loner and skilled cook travels west to Oregon Territory, where he meets a Chinese immigrant also seeking his fortune. Soon the two team up on a dangerous scheme to steal milk from the wealthy landowner’s prized Jersey cow—the first, and only, in the territory.

How the West Was Won

How the West Was Won

Western · 1962

The epic tale of the development of the American West from the 1830s through the Civil War to the end of the century, as seen through the eyes of one pioneer family.

Meek's Cutoff

Meek's Cutoff

Western · 2011

A group of settlers traveling through the Oregon High Desert in 1845 find themselves stranded in harsh conditions.

Geronimo: An American Legend

Geronimo: An American Legend

Western · 1993

The Apache Indians have reluctantly agreed to settle on a US Government approved reservation. Not all the Apaches are able to adapt to the life of corn farmers. One in particular, Geronimo, is restless. Pushed over the edge by broken promises and necessary actions by the government, Geronimo and thirty or so other warriors form an attack team which humiliates the government by evading capture, while reclaiming what is rightfully theirs.

The Last Wagon

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When a handful of settlers survive an Apache attack on their wagon train they must put their lives into the hands of Comanche Todd, a white man who has lived with the Comanches most of his life and is wanted for the murder of three men.

3:10 to Yuma

3:10 to Yuma

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Dan Evans, a small time farmer, is hired to escort Ben Wade, a dangerous outlaw, to Yuma. As Evans and Wade wait for the 3:10 train to Yuma, Wade's gang is racing to free him.

Dances with Wolves

Dances with Wolves

Adventure · 1990

Wounded Civil War soldier John Dunbar tries to commit suicide—and becomes a hero instead. As a reward, he's assigned to his dream post, a remote junction on the Western frontier, and soon makes unlikely friends with the local Sioux tribe.

The Indian Fighter

The Indian Fighter

Western · 1955

A scout leading a wagon train through hostile Indian country gets involved with a Sioux chief's daughter.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Raoul Walsh

Written by

Hal G. Evarts · Marie Boyle · Jack Peabody · Florence Postal

John Wayne

John Wayne

Breck Coleman

Marguerite Churchill

Marguerite Churchill

Ruth Cameron

El Brendel

El Brendel

Gus

Tully Marshall

Tully Marshall

Zeke

Tyrone Power Sr.

Tyrone Power Sr.

Red Flack

David Rollins

David Rollins

Dave Cameron

F

Frederick Burton

Pa Bascom

Court is in session

Put The Big Trail on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.