The Big Country was a 1958 American movie starring Gregory Peck, Jean Simmons, Carroll Baker, Charlton Heston, Burl Ives, Charles Bickford, and Chuck Connors. Based on a novel by Donald Hamilton, it was directed by William Wyler. Ives won the Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his performance, as well as the Golden Globe Award; the film was also nominated for an Oscar for its noteworthy musical score by Jerome Moross .

The story concerns newly retired sea captain James McKay (Peck), who moves to the American west to be with his fiancée Patricia (Baker) but finds himself in a battle between local warring ranchers - Patricia's father, Maj. Terrill (Bickford); and the more earthy head of a ragged rural family, Rufus Hannassey (Ives). McKay tries to keep the peace between families while also trying to prove his worthiness as a husband to Patricia. Ranchhand Steve Leech (Heston) provides suitable competition in that area, and neighbor Julie Maragon (Simmons) is between all sides as the neighbor whose water supply is a crucial natural asset to the ranchers.