Big Jake

"I thought you were dead."

"Not hardly."

A gang of outlaws, led by John Fain (Boone), raid the McCandles ranch.  They kill most of the workers and wound Jeff McCandles (Vinton), and kidnap Jeff's son Little Jake (E. Wayne).  They demand a $1 million ransom to get the boy back.  McCandles matriarch, Martha (O'Hara) gathers the money into a strong box and sends word to her estranged husband, the legendary Jacob McCandles (J. Wayne).  Jacob, his trusty dog, and friend Sam Sharpnose (Cabot) set out on horseback to follow the trail left by the kidnappers.

Jacob has not seen his family in almost 10 years and didn't know he was a grandfather.  His other sons, James (P. Wayne) and Michael (Mitchum), have other plans.  They team up with Texas Ranger Captain Buck Duggan (Doucette) and his team, to rescue the boy sooner.  Their actions are anticipated by Fain's gang, and most of the team is killed or injured.  Jacob gives his sons a second chance to join his trip.  James is bitter and regularly picks fights with his father, but agrees to his terms.  Michael enjoys modern gadgets, but doesn't know how to use them.  He also agrees to join the group.  Word spreads quickly and their progress is marked by other outlaws.  Can they get the money to Fain and rescue Little Jake?


This is my favorite John Wayne film.  It isn't what you expect, and despite the high body count, it is still funny.  It opens like a documentary and Wayne isn't on screen right away, although he is mentioned.  There is more blood than most Wayne films, but not an excessive amount.  And it is funnier than you expect it to be.

The film was written by Harry and Rita Fink, who also wrote Dirty Harry, which also premiered in 1971.  It was directed by George Sherman, who was a long-time friend of Wayne.  They made 10 films together, over a 30 year period.  This was their last collaboration and Sherman's last time in the director's chair due to his declining health.

Most of the cast appeared in other films with Wayne.  His usual stock actors have little parts here: stuntman Chuck Roberson, Hank Worden, etc.  This was his 5th and final time starring opposite Maureen O'Hara, in her smallest role with Wayne.  His family was also heavily involved in the film.  His oldest son, Michael Wayne, produced it (and most of his later films).  And his other 2 sons, Patrick Wayne and Ethan Wayne, appeared on screen with him.  This was his 10th collaboration with Patrick, who plays his son James, and it was his second with Ethan, who plays his grandson Little Jake.

Richard Boone is the mesmerizing villain, John Fain.  He is captivating and you can't wait until his character meets Wayne's character.  When they do finally meet, it is as interesting as you expect.  They trade barbs and feel evenly matched.  This was his 2nd of 3 collaborations with Wayne (the last was Wayne's final film The Shootist).  The other villains are menacing, but Boone is the most interesting.

Big Jake (1971) 110 minutes
Director: George Sherman
Starring: John Wayne as Jacob McCandles
Richard Boone as John Fain
Patrick Wayne as James McCandles
Christopher Mitchum as Michael McCandles
Bruce Cabot as Sam Sharpnose
Maureen O'Hara as Martha McCandles
Bobby Vinton as Jeff McCandles
Glenn Corbett as O'Brien
John Doucette as Texas Ranger Captain Buck Duggan
Harry Cary Jr. as Pop Dawson
Gregg Palmer as John Goodfellow
Ethan Wayne as Little Jake McCandles

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