The Big Trail (1930)

7.2Passed125 minDirector: Raoul Walsh

1930 film by Raoul Walsh

The Big Trail is a 1930 American epic pre-Code Western early widescreen film shot on location across the American West starring 23-year-old John Wayne in his first leading role and directed by Raoul Walsh. It is the final completed film to feature Tyrone Power Sr. before his death in 1931, as well as his only sound role.

In 2006, the United States Library of Congress deemed this film "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant", and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry, saying "the plot of a trek along the Oregon Trail is aided immensely by the majestic sweep provided by the experimental 70mm Grandeur wide-screen process used in filming". Fox officials told Walsh that its opening scenes were the greatest filmed in Hollywood to that point.

Plot summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

FAQ

What is The Big Trail about?
The Big Trail (1930) — Breck leads a wagon train of pioneers through Indian attack, storms, deserts, swollen rivers, down cliffs and so on while looking for the murder of a trapper and falling in love with Ruth.
Is The Big Trail based on a true story?
See the production background and source material details on the official Wikipedia article.
Is The Big Trail scary?
Content rating: Passed. See the reviews tab for parental guidance and tone notes.
What is The Big Trail (1930) about? Plot, synopsis and ending explained — Screencodex