The Big Trail (1930) was John Wayne's 19th film - although some of those films were uncreditied - and in it he landed his first leading-man role. The 70mm screen print is impressive, even with its flaws. One of the first talkies, the sound in The Big Trail wasn't yet perfected. This is clear when some of the dialogue is barely heard while other times actors seem to be shouting, and many times their dialogue is unclear. That's all minor, however. Just watching this early filmmaking and a young 23-year old - who took the name of John Wayne - take his first big step into celebrity is funny at times but to fans of early films, very exciting.

This epic tale (read about what was involved in the special features section) was about a wagon train of early settlers heading west on the Oregon trail. Although Breck Colman, (Wayne) is more intent on avenging two friend's murders, he agrees to lead the massive group. Although other men (Tyronne Power Sr. one of them) along the route have the idea they should lead the group, Breck always comes out on top as the man for the job.

The voyage was like moving an entire city and naturally in a trip that

Ian Keith &

Marguerite Churchill

One of the more interesting characters is Zeke (Tully Marshal); he's an old rustic cowboy and Breck's sidekick who always has his eye on the bad guys. Living up to saga status; the movie has its funny moments especially with Gus (El Brendel), a German man and his family traveling with the group. He gets into one tight spot after another with his mother-in-law (Louise Carver) who definitely does not like Gus.

The film has all the subplots one would imagine in an early western - hard times, Indian raids, bad guys vs. good guys, romance, testosterone matches and getting across difficult passings such as rivers and cliffs - one of these scenes is amazing to watch.

Because of its scope, the film is long and plodding in some spots so the fast forward button comes in handy, but not for too long, as comprehending what it took to make the film is fascinating. There are title cards through out that set where the wagon train is in regard to what's happening at the time. Note in the image of the title card how the American and Indian icons as well as ropes, wagon wheels and skulls were used to depict the theme.

Examples:

"Dedicated - to the men and women who planted civilization in the wilderness and courage in the blood of their children."

"The last outpost; the turning back place for the weak; the starting place for the strong."

"Ten weary miles a day there is no road, but there is a will and history cuts the way."

How director Raoul Walsh tackled this immense feat is as interesting as the movie itself. There are some wonderful features on the DVD that go into great detail about different aspects. Each scene had to be shot twice as The Big Trail was released in two versions: the conventional 35mm print size and the large 70mm print, called Fox Grandeur.  

Although compared in monumental aspects to the silent film The Iron Horse, sadly, the scope of the filming and the $2 million dollar price tag of The Big Trail set unreachable goals for its time. The depression was in full swing upon the film's release in 1930, so the movie did poorly at the box office.

Although Walsh originally wanted Gary Cooper for the role of Coleman, Paramount wouldn't lend him out. When Walsh saw a clip of Wayne from Fox's Men Without Women (1930), he saw possibilities in the young actor's strength, voice and handsome face and hired him. Indeed Wayne carried off the lead role without a hitch. He looked as comfortable as Coleman; it seemed as if Wayne had carried dozens of lead roles before instead of this being his first. Other actors that did well in their roles include Churchill, Keith, Brendel, Tyronne Power Sr. and Carver.