Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- adventurous
- rugged
- romantic
- classic western marathon
- weekend adventure viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an ambitious and visually spectacular pioneer adventure that helped establish John Wayne as a major western star.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The wagon train repeatedly confronts storms, deserts, swollen rivers, cliffs, attacks, and other environmental threats.
Breck leads the westward expedition while investigating the murder of a trapper and seeking vengeance.
The production emphasizes the immense wagon train, buffalo herd, river crossings, cliffs, and far-west terrain through monumental compositions.
The central plot follows pioneers leaving the Mississippi and moving west through a chain of physical and human obstacles.
Films like The Big Trail, and why
Wagon Master
Shared pioneering wagon-train adventure, frontier peril, expansive western landscapes, and romantic melodrama.
The Covered Wagon
Shared epic westward migration narrative, historical frontier setting, ensemble pioneer community, and river-crossing peril.
Stagecoach
Shared classic western form, frontier justice, revenge motive, and rugged wilderness adventure.
How the West Was Won
Shared large-scale pioneer journey, dangerous overland travel, romantic subplot, and emphasis on landscape spectacle.
Movie Details
- Director
- Raoul Walsh
- Release Date
- 1930-11-01
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (138)
Cast
- John Wayne
- Marguerite Churchill
- El Brendel
- Tully Marshall
- Tyrone Power Sr.
- David Rollins
- Frederick Burton
- Ian Keith
- Charles Stevens
- Louise Carver
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Big Trail about?
- A towering early western follows a wagon-train leader through frontier danger, personal vengeance, and a romance on the road west.
- What is The Big Trail like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Big Trail as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Big Trail violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Big Trail as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Big Trail?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an ambitious and visually spectacular pioneer adventure that helped establish John Wayne as a major western star.
- Which films are like The Big Trail?
- Films with a similar feel include Wagon Master, The Covered Wagon, Stagecoach, and How the West Was Won.
- How long is The Big Trail?
- The Big Trail runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Big Trail?
- In United States, The Big Trail is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
