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.

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.

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.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:55

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Bittersweet Frontier Triumphs like in The Big Land

Stories where building a new future requires sacrifice on the harsh frontier.Looking for movies like The Big Land? This group features Westerns and frontier dramas where hope and determination are tested by loss and adversity. If you liked the film's mix of progress and sacrifice, you'll find similar stories here.

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Narrative Summary

These stories often follow a determined individual or group working to establish a community or achieve a goal in a challenging, often lawless, setting. While the central mission is ultimately successful, the path is fraught with conflict, and the victory comes at a personal cost, leading to a bittersweet resolution.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared emotional core: a blend of hopeful ambition and the sobering sacrifices required by frontier life. They balance uplifting themes of progress with the tangible costs of violence and loss, creating a resonant, grounded experience.

Steady-Burn Western Standoffs like in The Big Land

Classic Westerns where a lone hero faces a ruthless business rival.Fans of The Big Land will enjoy these similar Westerns. Discover stories featuring a classic good-versus-evil dynamic, where a determined hero challenges a powerful antagonist in a conflict over land, cattle, or commerce, with steady pacing and a final showdown.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a clear antagonist—a greedy cattle baron, railroad tycoon, or corrupt official—using underhanded tactics to crush competition. The protagonist, driven by a sense of justice or a promise, methodically gathers resources and allies, leading to a climactic showdown that settles the economic and moral dispute.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their straightforward plot structure, clear moral alignment, and the specific type of antagonist. The focus is on a commercial or territorial conflict that escalates into violence, providing a satisfying, classic Western narrative arc with a steady build-up.

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The Big Land Summary

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The Big Land Timeline

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The Big Land Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About The Big Land

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Big Land: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

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Discover movies like The Big Land that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.