Big Jake (1971)

Your fault, my fault, nobody's fault-this is one great movie!

This is a great and rather curious John Wayne movie, made during the later phase of his long career. This Western is set in 1909 as the west was changing into modern times. The movie was made in the late 1960s as the family Western movie was also giving way more serious, violent and sexy themes.

In the movie, the long lost Jake McCandles (John Wayne)is summoned by his estranged wife to rescue thier gradnson after her cattle ranch was ransacked by a group of viscious bandits who have demanded ransome money.

Richard Boone makes for one of the most memorable villians of a John Wayne movie. As the leader of his gang of thugs he is ruthless, as he instructs the Duke that if anything goes wrong with the delivery of the money, antything at all-"your fault, my fault, nobody's fault-you're going to get the boy's head back in a basket".

What's most interesting, however, is the tension between Duke and Patrick Wayne who is the Duke's son and also plays the Duke's son in the movie. Knowing something of the Duke's unstable family relationships, I can't help but wonder if any real-life tension transfered to the screen.

The hero, Jake McCandles (Duke) is also a flawed character. As is his character in "True Grit", he is a failure as a father and husband. But one can't help but speculate at the end of the movie, that he might just get another chance at forming a quality relationship with his grandson who he rescues (interestingly played by Duke's youngest real-life son).

This exciting family Western touches quite a bit on the father-son relationship and redemption. There is some fine acting here. John Wayne and Patrick Wayne really give of themselves in this movie. Indeeed all the charcters from the perfectly villianous Richard Boone to Duke's silent Native American sidekick to his more easy-going, understanding but reckless second son; are carried over with much verve.

I enjoy watching "Big Jake" over and over again. July 14, 2008

Big Jake with John Wayne.

John Wayne is the last of the Great American Cowboys. In Big Jake you will get lots of adventure, action, laughter, and Americanism. The whole family gets into the act. The Duke has always stood tall, and Big Jake is no exception. I love seeing one Man make a difference. And The Duke does. In all of his movies. I say John Wayne for President. Any one who likes westerns will like John Wayne in Big Jake. April 28, 2008

Big Jake

My husband is a die-hard John Wayne fan and this is his favorite. It contains alot of his usual supporting cast, and a good story line. Big Jakes grandson is kidnapped so with the aid of his two boys, they must try to rescue him. February 27, 2008

Western Escapism With Big John

One of John Wayne's better late-career vehicles, "Big Jake" (1971) is an enjoyable turn-of-the-century Western that mixes humor and gunplay in equal measure. The cinematic icon remains tall in the saddle as Texas rancher Jacob McCandles -- taking on villainous Richard Boone and anyone else responsible for the kidnapping of his grandson. Veteran director George Sherman keeps the action moving at a relaxed pace. However, the climactic shootout is bloodier than expected for a Wayne Western. In a disappointingly small role, Maureen O'Hara appears with the Duke for the last time as McCandles' estranged wife. February 23, 2008

Rescuing Your Own Kidnapped Grandson

This is a western depicted from a time (1909) just before the official closing of the frontier. Signs of modernity are present, notably the motorcycles, early automobiles, and automatic weapons. But some things never change: the horses, the outlaws, and those who fight them.

An elderly rancher, Jacob (Jake) McCandles (John Wayne), is told of the massacre of his relatives by bandits and the kidnapping of his 8 year-old grandson for ransom. He decides on a foray into Mexico after the bandits, but with a chest full of newspaper strips, not actual ransom money. Everyone realizes that getting the child back alive is a long shot.

There are beautiful shots of the scenery. And one of the riders performs motorcycle stunts reminiscent of those of Steve McQueen.

Everything seems to go wrong. Instead of the pursuers catching the bandits by surprise, it is the bandits who catch the pursuers by surprise. Later, Jake is caught at gunpoint while showering. A bandit sharpshooter, concealed in a church belfry, has a clear shot at the child hostage. Then a machete-wielding bandit has the child at his mercy. Will Jake ever see his grandson alive and free?
February 10, 2008

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