The Big Land

The Big Land

Year: 1957

Runtime: 92 mins

Language: English

Director: Gordon Douglas

RomanceWestern

After the Civil War, ex‑Confederate officer Chad Morgan (Alan Ladd) leads a cattle drive from Texas to Missouri, promising ranchers $10 per head at auction. But the ruthless cattle baron Brog (Anthony Caruso) has scared off competition and offers far less, forcing Morgan into a showdown as he battles the baron’s hired guns and the harsh frontier.

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Timeline & Setting – The Big Land (1957)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Big Land (1957). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1860s

Set after the Civil War, in the late 1860s. The expansion of railroads pushes toward the Kansas border and closer markets for Texas cattle. Communities along the way balance rough justice, opportunistic fortune, and the risks of rapid growth. The era's pace reflects a frontier on the cusp of modernization.

Location

Texas, Kansas City (Missouri), Kansas, Missouri

The story unfolds on the post–Civil War frontier, spanning Texas toward Missouri and the rail hub around Kansas City. It centers on cattle towns, livery stables, and saloons where men chase fortune and safety. A planned railroad spur promises to unite ranchers with farmers, turning distance into opportunity. The setting shows a West in transition, where rails redefine borders and futures.

🏜️ Frontier 🐂 Cattle Drive 🛤️ Railroads 🗺️ Westward Expansion

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:55

Main Characters – The Big Land (1957)

Meet the key characters of The Big Land (1957), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Chad Morgan (Alan Ladd)

A former Confederate officer who leads the cattle drive to Missouri and champions a railroad spur to connect Texas with Kansas markets. He is cautious about violence but becomes decisive when the stakes require action, balancing pragmatism with a stubborn sense of justice.

🏜️ Frontier 🧭 Pragmatic 🗡️ Courage

Joe Jagger (Edmond O'Brien)

A town drunk who becomes sober and reveals architectural talent. He teams with Chad to persuade the railroad and bring practical expertise to the plan, earning a place in the effort despite his troubled past.

🍷 Former drinker 🧠 Architect 🤝 Loyal

Helen Jagger (Virginia Mayo)

Joe's sister and a singer in the saloon who experiences jealousy as the railroad plan advances. Her loyalties are tested between family, love, and the broader dream of progress.

💃 Singer 🫶 Loyal 💔 Jealousy

Tom Draper (Don Castle)

A railroad man engaged to Joe's sister who sees the spur as a gateway to growth, but his pride and ambitions are challenged by Chad's leadership and the changing frontier.

🚂 Railroad 💘 Romantic conflict 🧭 Realist

Brog (Anthony Caruso)

A ruthless cattle baron determined to monopolize the market through intimidation, murder, and underpayment. His machinations drive the central conflict and threaten the coalitions forming around the spur.

💰 Greed 🔫 Violence 🧱 Monopolist

Sven Johnson (John Qualen)

A wary adviser whose practical guidance helps Chad and Joe navigate frontier politics and the looming power struggles. He offers steady counsel amid volatility.

🗺️ Mentor 🧭 Realist 🤝 Advisor

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:55

Major Themes – The Big Land (1957)

Explore the central themes of The Big Land (1957), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛤️ Progress

The railroad is presented as a catalyst for economic integration, linking Texas cattle to Kansas and Missouri buyers. Chad and Joe's plan depends on broad cooperation between ranchers and farmers, not sheer force. The spur would redefine local power, challenging monopoly tactics. The drama uses infrastructure as a stage for ambition, risk, and collaboration.

💔 Love and Jealousy

Personal relationships complicate the macro plan: Helen's engagement to Tom creates friction with Chad. Joe's past, and his sister's status, heighten stakes. Romance and career ambitions collide as loyalties shift. These interpersonal tensions influence decisions about trust and risk.

🔫 Violence and Power

Brog's ruthless attempts to monopolize the market escalate through intimidation and murder. Chad's showdown in the saloon tests nerve, courage, and the willingness to risk life for a larger dream. The frontier uses violence as a tool of control, forcing characters to confront what they're willing to fight for. Victory depends on restraint and strategic thinking as well as force.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:55

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The Big Land Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Big Land, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Big Land Summary

The Big Land Timeline

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The Big Land Timeline

More About The Big Land

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The Big Land (1957) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Big Land (1957) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Big Land (1957) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow