Nearly a century after its release, John Wayne’s The Big Trail has achieved yet another milestone. There are few names more synonymous with Westerns in the Golden Age of Hollywood than Wayne. Having led the industry alongside the likes of Marlon Brando, Rock Hudson, and Gary Cooper, the star burned brighter than even the marks embedded in the streets on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
Yet, before he was considered one of Hollywood’s most influential actors, Wayne was taking up smaller parts that hardly let him showcase his talents. The Big Trail was the first movie that saw Wayne as a leading man, and it launched a legendary career. It was even influential outside of that legacy, as it has secured enduring respect from critics and audiences alike.
The Story of The Big Trail
The Big Trail was released on November 1, 1930.
Westerns tend to reflect an idealized image of Manifest Destiny and the American journey to the Wild West. The Big Trail was no different. It saw a large crowd of travelers joining a caravan as they crossed the dangerous Oregon Trail. Wayne’s Breck Coleman joined the group, but his intentions were not quite as positive as those hoping to start a new life for themselves. Coleman hoped to avenge an old trading partner, and his vengeance could only be paid in blood. Along the way, he encounters multiple enemies and schemes his way to justice.
The epic movie is not only about revenge, however. It also tells the story of a dangerous cross-country journey, featuring a large ensemble and an incredible scale for a production completed before the Hays Code was even properly implemented. Coleman stars alongside Marguerite Churchill’s Ruth Cameron, who served as his love interest on the Oregon Trail. While it is far from a cross-genre Western movie, the romance element is fairly pronounced and plays a significant role in determining the ending.
The Big Trail Could Have Kicked Off Wayne’s Career
The Big Trail was John Wayne’s first starring role.
Wayne first entered Hollywood in 1926 when he appeared in Brown of Harvard as a minor football player. It was a silent film, as the first sound film would not be released until 1927. The medium hardly lent to Wayne’s vocal and performing talent. It was not until 1928 that the man who changed the Western genre consistently began appearing in sound-based movies, and he still starred in extremely minor roles. He did not even earn credit for any of his appearances until 1929’s Words and Music. With such a limited profile, The Big Trail offered an opportunity for Wayne to earn mainstream recognition for his talents.
Unfortunately, the leading role did not have quite the impact Wayne might have imagined at the time. Instead of sparking his rise in Hollywood, The Big Trail became a financial disaster. Its production was of a massive scale, and it could have earned a profit, if not for the time of its release. Having been sent to theaters in 1930, it met an America already enveloped in the Great Depression. While other movies from the 1930s saw success, Wayne’s first starring role was released too early for audiences to have recovered from the economic challenges imposed by the stock market crashes of October 24, 1929, and October 29, 1929. Millions of jobs were erased from domestic markets, leaving viewers scrambling for money that they would rather spend on bread than a movie.
Wayne attempted other major roles after, but he only received starring roles in smaller productions. It was only in 1939 that he finally earned his big break with Stagecoach, one of John Ford’s best Westerns. Wayne undoubtedly crossed a major milestone with his 1930 release, but the timing was not quite right to see him become the monumental star that dominated Hollywood for decades. Still, the appearance was proof that Wayne could already carry an incredible movie, even if his first performance was somewhat shaky. The inexperienced Wayne struggled to do more than sit on his horse, but it was a vital step in ensuring the progression of his career. Modern critics continue to pay close attention to his portrayal.
The Big Trail Earned Acclaim on Rotten Tomatoes
It has been nearly a century since Wayne’s first starring role, and it continues to earn acclaim. Critics have been praising it relentlessly, leading to a perfect 100% score on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer. They hold immense esteem for the scale of the production, the intense and emotional connections between the characters, and the simplicity of the filmmaking style. Not all of them necessarily support Wayne’s acting, however, as his early scenes provoked some criticism. Still, the reaction is overwhelmingly positive, as no reviewer thinks negatively of the early sound Western.
The average score from critics is 6.90 out of 10, which is far below what regular viewers grant. Modern audiences have been somewhat more favorable, though the movie is divisive. With a 71% score on the Popcornmeter, it earned an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 from ordinary viewers. So, while there are viewers who responded overwhelmingly negatively, the average review afforded it a positive reception and a higher score than even the critics did. For one of history’s most important Westerns, it’s still a somewhat low score but still earns esteem for its incredible Tomatometer score.
Where To Watch The Big Trail
The Big Trail had an immense budget of $1,250,000, which is the equivalent of $23 million today.
There are two different versions of The Big Trail, and both exist in the home market. The 35mm version and the 70mm version have both been re-released multiple times, owing to John Wayne’s historical importance since the initial release. Anyone hoping to buy a physical copy can purchase it in Blu-ray, DVD, or VHS, though it is far from the most convenient option.
Today, the rise of home streaming means that a physical copy is not quite as necessary as it used to be. Unfortunately, there are some issues with this particular movie.
At the moment, it is not available on any streaming service. It can be rented or digitally purchased from Apple TV, Google Play, or Fandango at Home. With so many years having passed since its release, the movie also does not often air on cable or premium networks. Viewers are left to watch solely by purchasing or renting the movie, which makes accessibility an issue.
That status quo is only expected to exist for two more years, however. With copyright limitations quickly approaching, The Big Trail should enter the public domain in 2026. That means that more re-releases are possible and even a potential reimagining of the story. The movie was also added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in 2006, meaning that it is unlikely that John Wayne’s big break will ever fade from public consciousness, nor will it disappear from the historical record at any point. The Library will ensure that it will survive to be witnessed by future generations, even if current accessibility is limited. Given how essential it was to Wayne’s career, that is excellent news for one of the greatest stars of the Western genre.