Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- rugged
- adventurous
- earthy
- classic western night
- adventure movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's rugged outdoor adventure, convincing frontier atmosphere, direction, and landscapes, while frequently faulting its excessive length and limited psychological depth.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jim Deakins and his companions travel up the Missouri River by riverboat while pursuing a fur-trading expedition.
The large group of travelers is gradually reduced as hostile territory and arduous conditions take their toll.
The journey is undertaken to obtain a large fur haul through dealings with friendly Blackfoot Indians.
Critics emphasized the beauty of the unsullied countryside and the film's convincing sense of events occurring under severe outdoor duress.
Films like The Big Sky, and why
Red River
rugged frontier adventure, river journey, pioneer camaraderie, and expansive wilderness landscapes
The Searchers
classic western travel narrative, perilous terrain, cross-cultural tension, and stoic frontier characters
Bend of the River
romantic western adventure centered on hard travel, survival, and competing loyalties in the American frontier
Movie Details
- Director
- Howard Hawks
- Release Date
- 1952-08-19
- Runtime
- 133 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (105)
Cast
- Kirk Douglas
- Dewey Martin
- Elizabeth Threatt
- Arthur Hunnicutt
- Buddy Baer
- Steven Geray
- Henri Letondal
- Hank Worden
- Jim Davis
- Thol Simonson
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 Sky about?
- A hardy fur-trading expedition battles hostile territory, brutal river travel, and shifting loyalties in the American frontier.
- What is The Big Sky like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Big Sky as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Big Sky violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Big Sky as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Big Sky?
- Critics broadly praised the film's rugged outdoor adventure, convincing frontier atmosphere, direction, and landscapes, while frequently faulting its excessive length and limited psychological depth.
- Which films are like The Big Sky?
- Films with a similar feel include Red River, The Searchers, and Bend of the River.
- How long is The Big Sky?
- The Big Sky runs 133 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Big Sky?
- In United States, The Big Sky is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
