Big Jake
Tags: good versus evil

Plot synopsis:
In 1909, there is a raid on the McCandles family ranch by a gang of ruthless outlaws led by John Fain. They massacre the ranch hands and kidnap "Little" Jake, the grandson, leaving a ransom note and heading back for Mexico, where they have been hiding out. Martha, the head of the family, is offered the help of both the state militia and the Texas Rangers in rescuing Little Jake or delivering the ransom. She replies that this will be "a harsh and unpleasant kind of business and will require an extremely harsh and unpleasant kind of person to see it through." In consequence, she sends for her estranged husband, the aging Jacob "Jake" McCandles, a near legendary landowner and gun fighter gunfighter who roams the west with his Rough Collie, simply named Dog.
When Jake arrives by train, he and Martha discuss a plan to take the ransom to the kidnappers, a million dollars in a big red strongbox. After looking at the boxes content Jake asks Martha "Is this the way you want it" to which she replies "Yes, these are very dangerous men". Jake then warns Martha, "Pay or not, we run the risk of never seeing the boy again". Then his son Michael rides up on a motorcycle, bringing word that he has seen the kidnappers in the Chilicothe Canyon. Buck, The Texas Ranger Captain, offers the services of his men, equipped with three REO touring cars. Martha agrees to the plan and the Rangers, Michael and Jakes oldest son James set off to ambush the kidnappers. The Rangers however, are ambushed with several killed and their cars put out of action. Jake, preferring the old ways, has followed on horseback, accompanied by an old Apache associate, Sam Sharpnose. Jake and Sam come across the defeated Rangers and Jake chides Buck for risking his Grandson's life. Michael and James are invited by Jake to ride along and they agree although the relationship is tense, especially with James, because of Jakes 10 year absence from the family.
That night, Fain rides into their camp to make arrangements for the handover, telling Jake that they will “send the boy's body back in a basket" if anything should go wrong. Both men deny any personal stake in the business, Fain claims he's "just a messenger boy" and Jake truthfully saying he's "Never laid eyes on him". The family party crosses into Mexico the next day and checks into a hotel. Knowing that they have been followed by another gang intent on stealing the strongbox, Jake sets a trap for them and the would be theives are all killed. During the attack, the chest is blasted open, revealing newspaper clippings instead of money. Michael and James become suspicious of Jake with James asking "Where's the money, Daddy?" Jake takes a punch from each of his sons and returns the favor knocking them out. Afterward Jake informs them it was Martha's and his idea. When James and Michael question Martha's involvement in the decision Jake replies "There were seven McCandle's people killed, one crippled. Your own brother shot, maybe crippled, maybe even dead and my grandson kidnapped. I ain't gonna pay 'em for that. Neither is your mother". James fears for Little Jake's life, revealing for the first time to Jake that his grandson is named after him.
A thunderstorm breaks and Pop Dawson, one of the kidnappers, arrives to give them the details of the exchange. Dawson gives away part of the plan that a sniper will have a gun trained on the boy in case of a double-cross. Jake arranges for Michael to follow after them to take care of the sharp shooter. When questioned by Dawson about Michael's whereabouts Jake tells Dawson they had to pay a price to keep the box suggesting that Michael had been killed in the fight. Dawson objects and Jake tells him he could view Michael's body down at the jail. Dawson knowing they only have limited time to get to the meeting and wary of the law declines and leads them toward the exchange. At the hideout, Jake is told to go in alone to where Fain and four other gang members are waiting, with Will holding a shotgun on the boy. Michael sneaks in with Jake using Jakes horse as cover. At the exchange Jake tosses the key of the chest to Fain telling him "that's what dreams are made of". Fain opens the box and is stunned to find it contains the clippings instead of money.
Fain orders his brother Will to kill the boy but Will is shot and killed by Jake. Dog knocks Little Jake off his horse saving him for the moment but is wounded by the sniper. As Jake and the boy run for cover Jake is wounded in the leg by the sniper before Michael kills him. Jake tells the boy to escape and find James, giving him a small Derringer for protection. Michael attempts to climb down from his counter-sniper position on the water tower but accidentally drops his rifle. Little Jake is pursued by the machete wielding John Goodfellow, who had hacked Sam to death but not before Sam is able to wound him with a knife. Goodfellow locates the boy hiding in a haystack but is attacked by Dog who is killed in his attempt to save Little Jake. Big Jake arrives and attempts to shoot Goodfellow but has exhausted his pistols ammunition and resorts to impaling Goodfellow with a pitchfork. Fain rides up and is preparing to finish off the two when Michael arrives after retrieving his rifle and shoots Fain off his horse. Before he dies, Fain asks, "Who are you?" When Jake answers, "Jacob McCandles," Fain says, "I thought you was dead," as have other characters during the course of the film. “Not hardly," Jake replies.
With Little Jake rescued, and the broken family bonded, they prepare to head home.

Review: There has been no tougher or more formidable Western heavy than Richard Boone He has occasionally depicted hard-bitten nobility, as his portrayal of General Sam Houston in "The Alamo" or the ageing cavalry officer in "A Thunder of Drums"but more often his grim, craggy features have led him to villainy He was Randolph Scott's intelligent, embittered adversary, smooth as a rattlesnake and twice as treacherous, in the Tall T; he wrapped non-conforming farmers in barbed wire in Man Without a Star; as mean, sadistic Major Salinas, he persecuted Rory Calhoun in Way of a Gaucho; and he gave Paul Newman a rough ride in Hombre.
In "Big Jake," he wasas alwaysa powerful presence and one of the screen's most efficient scene-stealer George Sherman's "Big Jake" was the Duke fifth and final film played opposite the lovely redheaded Maureen O'Hara who plays, here, his wife Martha McCandles The movie opens in 1909 where nine men crossing the Rio Bravo into Texas Their leadera sadistic gunrunnerJohn Fain (Richard Boone) is ready for his bloody McCandles' raid where ten people were slaughtered and Big Jakes's grandson, the 8-year-old Little Jacob (Ethan Wayne) is kidnapped, and a ransom note is left demanding one million dollars in $20 Bills for Jacob's safe return Marthaquite sure that this job requires an extremely harsh and special kind of man to attend it called back her husband, absent for many years, to pay the ransom, and take back home the little boy alive Jacob McCandles (Wayne)who has never seen his grandsonresponds to his wife's call and organizes a hunting party to track down the dangerous and violent men With his two sons, his faithful Indian scout (Bruce Cabot), his loyal dog, and with a large red strongbox packed to the back of a good mule, McCandles initiates his very daring hunt There are some hard feelings among Wayne's resentful boys, and as the film progresses, Wayne's blue eyes were gentle and revealing a wonderful caring father but also his eyes turn to blue steel as he took that decision to get alive his grandson The heart of the film is Wayne interacting with his wife and what he has in store for his sons next...Patrick Wayne plays Wayne's older son who is short on ears and long on mouth Christopher Mitchum rides a 'crazy bicycle,' carries a Bergman 1911, and a rifle with one fancy new telescope...With great action scenes, great photography and with a terrific Elmer Bernstein musical score, "Big Jake" is one of Wayne best Westerns.
John Wayne said he was offered "Dirty Harry" before Eastwood took it (but Dirty Harry was also supposedly offered to Paul Newman, Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby and Walter Matthau before Eastwood, too!)The twice-repeated "do you feel lucky?" speech in "Dirty Harry" and the twice-repeated "your fault, my fault, nobody's fault" speech in "Big Jake" prove to me that the same writers worked on both scripts.Also, Richard Boone must be singled out.
Boone finally said "yes" to "Big Jake" and the verbal showdowns between Big John and Big Boone in "Big Jake" are a wonder to behold.BTW, Boone turned down a lot of movie parts during the 70's (like the Robert Shaw part in "The Sting") but came to help out his old friend Wayne twice in that decade:  "Big Jake" and "The Shootist" (1976.).
Big Jake Holds His Own, Thank You. Mark this down as a very entertaining western with more realistic gunfight scenes than most films, meaning the good guys get shot as well as the villains.
John Wayne's "The Searchers," a very similar movie story-wise, gets a lot better press than this film but "Big Jake" is just as good, if not better.
From the outset 'Big Jake' will always be a firm favourite of mine, it's the first John Wayne movie I can recall watching, and this is the movie that has made him my all-time favourite movie star and actor.The movie follows Dukes pursuit of seven kidnappers whom killed a large number of people at his former ranch (now run by his estranged wife) and kidnapped his grandson.Up until this point in John Wayne's career he had by in large refrained from using excessive violence in his movies.
The movie does contain many memorable scenes such as the opening and closing shootouts, Dukes casual killing of a would be assassin and some touching and at times volatile scenes involving Jake and his ex wife played eloquently by the great Maureen O'Hara.An interesting segment at the start involves a voice-over retelling the transformation of the west from the early 1800's to its relatively civilised state in 1909 (when the film is set).
The voice-over also introduces the audience to nine bandits whom act as the heavies in the movie, its fascinating to hear a brief introduction of each bandit and what skill they bring to the group e.g. Fain is the leader, O'Brien the gunfighter and John Goodfellow is proficient with a machete etc etc.Duke in this movie is accompanied is his pursuit if the kidnappers by a trusted dog (who is very violent) an Indian friend played very well by Bruce Cabot, and his two on screen sons James (Patrick Wayne who is Dukes own son) and Michael (Chris Mitchum).
John Wayne's youngest son John Ethan Wayne makes his debut in this movie playing the kidnapped grandson of Jake and acquits himself very impressively to the field of acting.Despite my fondness for this movie it is not however without its weaknesses, for one the acting by both Patrick Wayne and Chris Mitchum is horrendous and neither one manages to endear the audience to their respective characters.
When Patrick Wayne tries to provoke the Duke by calling him "Daddy", the retort by the old man is priceless.A good villan(Richard Boone), another pairing with Maureen O'Hara, some great one-liners and several references to older Wayne films make this a great choice from the westerns section at Blockbuster.
There are some good comic moments, but they are well integrated into the plot of the story.Of the Duke's films post his Oscar from True Grit, Big Jake is one of his best and a personal favorite of mine..
The writers of Big Jake, Hondo, Rooster Cogburn and the Shootist composed the right words and actions to showcase the best John Wayne character..
This movie has something for everyone, but be warned it has plenty of violence and is definitely a PG/ PG13 type film.The supporting cast is excellent with Patrick Wayne, Christopher Mitchum, Richard Boone,Bruce Cabot, Maureen O'Hara, Gregg Palmer and Dog turning in solid performances.While there are the formulaic elements such as horrendous acts perpetuated by bad men that give license to the good guys to do whatever is necessary to right the wrong, Big Jake also has other elements that make this film not just another Western:1) Takes place in transition period of the turn of the century which provides some interesting interaction between the old ways and new ways.
But he is called back into action by his estranged wife (Maureen O'Hara) after a gang of ruthless outlaws, led by Richard Boone, shoot up his ranch, kill much of the hired help, and kidnap his grandson (Ethan Wayne).
The only really serious disappointment with BIG JAKE is that Wayne and O'Hara barely have any screen time together, given how well they worked under Ford, particularly on 1952's THE QUIET MAN, and seeing as how this was their last joint appearance on screen (Wayne died in 1979, and O'Hara wouldn't make another feature film until ONLY THE LONELY in 1991).Still, just about everything else one expects from the Duke on screen happens here in BIG JAKE, including those little bits of humor revolving around being called "Daddy" and being thought dead.
The highlight of this film involves the interaction between Wayne and Richard Boone who plays the chief villain John Fain.
Strong and determined to do the right thing, Jacob McCandles sets out to rescue his kidnapped grandson with the help of his two renegade sons, (Patrick Wayne and Christopher Mitchum)and an Apache friend Sam Sharpnose (Bruce Cabot).
This is one of John Wayne's best film from the 1970's; it blends the technology of the time, gritty realism and an ensemble of actors seem to be having a wonderful time.The last scene between Bruce Cabot and the Duke is especially touching considering it was their last together.In this day and age when popular media seems to make heroes out of criminals, "Big Jake" stands tall 29 years later and is helping WTBS with the October Sweeps week in the year 2000!Long Live the Duke and his loyal ensemble cast !.
Plot finds Duke Wayne as tough old rancher/gunfighter Jake McCandles, who is estranged from his family and spends his days roaming the west with his trusty dog.
However, when the McCandles family ranch is raided by a gang of outlaws led by John Fain (Boone), and Jake's grandson Little Jake is kidnapped for ransom, Big Jake gets the call from his separated wife Martha (O'Hara) to go find the boy.
But it's a film that finds old hands Wayne and Boone turning in good shows and the action and thematic camaraderie on show more than compensates for the looming cloud of same old same old.Of worth, too, is the time setting of the story, coming as it does towards the back end of the Old West, we get to see many examples of the Wild West being tamed.
John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara made 5 feature films and appeared together many other times.
Wayne is at his best when he is sent by his estranged wife (O'Hara) to deliver a ransom to be paid to a band of western thugs who have taken his grandson hostage.The film is largely over-looked or under-rated, but if you are looking for a good John Wayne movie, buy it, rent it.Which ever, way just see it!.
While past his prime, John Wayne is good here, I liked how Maureen O'Hara was so elegant and Richard Boone is very entertaining.Sadly, Big Jake is also quite lazily directed, and the plot is disappointingly meagre.
After his grandson is kidnapped in Texas by a notorious outlaw gang led by a man named "John Fain" (Richard Boone), an equally harsh and unpleasant cowboy by the name of "Jacob McCandles" (John Wayne) sets off after them.
Riding with him with the ransom money is one of his sons named "James" (Patrick Wayne) and an old Apache friend by the name of "Sam" (Bruce Cabot).
To rescue his son from the greedy malefactors.A good western that really works.The last time The Duke works with Bruce Cabot and Maureen O'Hara..
Wayne really looked tired and frail in this movie but this man was so full of macho charisma he can still be imposing half dead!By this time in the 70's,Wayne had perfected his acting skills and he acually had his best performances at this late stage of his career.Some things bothered me about this movie like the hero(Wayne) beating up his kids although I understand this was his way of imposing his leadership of the pack under those circumstances.Another thing that bothered me was the way the relationship was between Wayne and his trusted loyal Indian sidekick.We all know Wayne's right wing policy regarding people of color and that is they are ok as long as they are subservient to him as this Indian was.At one point the example was shown very clearly when Wayne asked the Indian to leave the room ALONG WITH THE DOG when he needed to talk to his sons.Kinda makes one chucke a little bit becouse that is so John Wayne.What a guy.The cinematography and attention to detail was good.The direction was average and the performances were very good except for the two sons of Wayne.Those two young actors skills were very amateurish.The screenplay and script was also good.Overall this movie made classic status by the skin of it's teeth.Not recommended to be seen by pre teens though becouse of it's more tha usual graphic style compared to other Wayne movies which is a plus for this movie as well!The 70's Wayne was the best!.
Highlight of the film was when Wayne's real life son playing Little Jake first met Big Jake and asked if he was his grandpa..
Released in 1971, "Big Jake" is a Western starring John Wayne in the titular role.
The magnificent Maureen O'Hara plays Jakes long-lost wife, but her role is limited to a glorified cameo in the opening reel.Some of The Duke's best Westerns were in the last decade of his career, like "True Grit" (1969), "Chisum" (1970),"The Cowboys" (1972), "The Train Robbers" (1973), "Rooster Cogburn" (1975), "The Shootist" (1976), and even oaters like "The War Wagon" (1967) and "El Dorado" (1967), but "Big Jake" isn't one of 'em.
Grandmother Martha (Maureen O'Hara) is offered help from the Army and the Texas Rangers but she decides to call on her estrange husband Big Jake (John Wayne).
Only "Big" Jake McCandles, John Wayne, can save the day, despite being old and presumed long dead in the film.
I disagree with that notion but I must admit that I understand why my Uncle felt that way-- Even in the latter part of his career "The Duke" was still nothing more or less than a remarkably charismatic figure who could always carry the formula movies tailored for him from scene to scene---  "Big Jake" is not as sophisticated as "True Grit" but it is  better than most of Wayne's later films---O.K.--The plot is kinda goofy at times and Bobby Vinton's appearance at the onset is horrid--but as other user's have pointed out -Vinton is shot up at the beginning of the film during the attack on the ranch---and while he is unfortunately not killed outright--he is through for the rest of the picture---- I notice that Chris Mitchum takes some hits for giving an awful performance--but he is at least almost as good playing Wayne's son as Wayne's own son (Patrick) is...
Richard Boone is superb as the leader of the kidnappers---the Indian and the dog do their jobs (all part of the formula)-----I have to note as others have that there are some memorable lines---The Duke enters the film by saving a sheepherder from a hanging--Big Jake is threatened by Jim Davis playing one of the lynchers-who asks him if the sight of blood bothers him---Big Jake answers..."Only my own." Davis wants to know who he is....When he tells them that he is Jacob McCandles--Davis tells him that he thought he was dead...."Not Hardly" says the Duke-------This line is also used marvelously at the end of the picture---- I like Boone and Wayne exchanging another threat several scene's apart..."Your fault -my fault - nobody's fault-I'm going to blow the boy's head off..." coming from Boone and then Wayne turning the tables on him later.
I also (as others have mentioned) found the last scene of the movie rather incongrous as the grievously wounded Wayne and and his son (and supposed grandson but really younger son acting) go grinning away from a massacre that killed Big Jake's life-long friend (Sam- the Indian) and his dog---You would have thought they were leaving a wedding reception..........
Richard Boone plays the head kidnapper, and he's solid as always.John, Patrick and Chris go off to pay the ransom for his grandchild, Bobby's son (actually played by Ethan Wayne, the Duke's youngest son).
Aging Texas cattleman Jake McCandles(John Wayne)is looked upon by some of his peers as being too old to cut the mustard; but this man's man musters into action when ruthless cutthroats led by John Fain(Richard Boone) kidnap his grandson.
Your potential enjoyment of this movie can be gauged by how you feel about the following contrived scene: After hearing the proposals of two individuals who have offered to rescue her recently kidnapped grandson, Mrs. McCandles (Maureen O'hara) declines both and states that this job will be "harsh and unpleasant" and will therefore require a "harsh and unpleasant" kind of man---instant cut to John Wayne in his first appearance in the film.
Seeing him in a film as bad as this isn't just disappointing, it feels wrong.Jacob McCandles (Wayne) is a famous gunslinger whose estranged wife Martha calls upon him to return to his old ranch after desperadoes kidnap the grandson Jake didn't know he had.
BIG JAKE is another solid western for the dependable John Wayne, here playing up his age as an old-time gunslinger drawn back into action once more when his own son is kidnapped.
Joined by his faithful dog, his sons James and Michael (Patrick Wayne and Christopher Mitchum) and his old Indian friend Sam Sharpnose (Bruce Cabot), Big Jake McAndles heads out through the beautiful countryside to battle Fain's raiders, greedy cowboys and the bitter resentment of his son James.Amidst the shootouts, brawls, scenery, gags and other elements of the Wayne Western, an interesting theme is woven through Big Jake.
Well, nothing really-it's another in the line of those sixties/early 70's 'Superstar John Wayne' flicks ala the War Wagon or Sons of Katie Elder or Chisum, where he trots out the same old faces-Paul Fix, Bruce Cabot, a Mitchum, Hank Worden, beats on baddies, Indians and the younger folks, saves the day, and tosses in some broad humour to boot.This one adds: more violence, more blood-letting, a motorcycle, a plane, Richard Boone in a fine nasty villain role, and Maureen O'Hara back to the well one more time.Debits-there are bad continuity booboos galore-in terrain, in the color of the Dawg, in some of the stunts, etc.
First, this represented the last time John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara co-starred in a film.
As "Big Jake," John Wayne spends most of his time riding around Mexico trying to keep himself and his two inexperienced sons alive.
John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara appeared together in five films over 20 years.
The Duke plays "Big Jake" McCandles, and two estranged sons join him in his quest to save his grandson.