Big Jake

[Robbie]

Big Jake is regarded as John Wayne's most violent movie, but despite this it is a movie I enjoy and it has a special place as it was the first John Wayne movie I can recall seeing.

Patrick Wayne and Chris Mitchum spoil proceedings with their horrendous acting in my opinion and stronger direction in certain scenes would have helped the movie.
However Duke is on fine form, Boone makes a terrific bad guy, the action is slick and the story moves along well.

What I am seeking to know is that what scenes were cut from this movie as it does look like their are missing scenes within this movie e.g. young billys complete disappearance.

[Mrs.McLintock]

I have noticed this too; the editing wasn't the greatest because of the jumps. However, I also remember seeing the entire version and not noticing the editing; maybe a tv version that got chopped up?

[The Ringo Kid]

I've got the DVD and it has extra scenes in it such as the day the Rangers got bushwhacked by Richard Boone's men. This fight though you don't see him hit, Patrick Wayne got hit in the buttocks with buckshot? Well, in the evening when they had already stopped to make camp, the Duke I think wanted some more coffee and he notices Patrick limping a bit. Well Patrick is forced to lie on the ground (or get bitten by the dog, Dog. So he asks for some whiskey and the Duke drinks a swig and pours some on Pats seat cushion. He yells in pain as the Duke takes out the buckshot pellets. I think some other scenes were readded to the movie but at this time I cannot remember which they were.

[itdo]

I think you must have seen a chopped for TV movie the first time around because the film is as it was in general release in 1971.

[Dragn]

The editing definitely had problems. I don't have Big Jake on DVD as of yet, but I do still have it on VHS. One scene in particular ... well I just want to see if anyone else caught it; after the youngest son crashes his motorcycle and Jake goes down the hill to see if he's alive. You know the scene? Well after his son stands, Jake asks him if he's alright, no broken bones. His son answers yes, and Jake knocks the hell out of him. Now listen closely as his son is falling to the ground from the hit; I swear you can hear a camera taking multiple pictures as he's falling. Check it for yourself. ;-) I don't know if it's on the DVD or not, but if you have it on VHS, listen and see if you can hear it.

[The Ringo Kid]

I never noticed that Dragn, but I did play that scene in slow motion many times in order to see John Wayne's fist missing Chris Mitchum's face. Thought that was interesting to see how fist fights were done. Yup, I know they can't knock earch other silly to do a scene but it was cool to hear the punch without the fist actually connecting with his face.

[Jay J. Foraker]

Originally posted by The Ringo Kid@Mar 23 2005, 04:21 PM
I never noticed that Dragn, but I did play that scene in slow motion many times in order to see John Wayne's fist missing Chris Mitchum's face. Thought that was interesting to see how fist fights were done. Yup, I know they can't knock earch other silly to do a scene but it was cool to hear the punch without the fist actually connecting with his face.

[snapback]15534[/snapback]

Hi Ringo -
I believe we can credit the foley artists and directors for those "punch to the face or body" sounds we hear. In the "chop-socky" movies, these guys and gals really earn their keep. You see them listed in the credits all the time (if you go far enough down the "crawl" and look for them).
Cheers - Jay :)

[The Ringo Kid]

Hi Jay, I agree w/ ya. I think the Foley Artists do a great job. When looking at that scene over and over in slow motion, I really don't know why I did it in the first place? I guess it was because I was watching the movie on a 48 in TV.

[arthurarnell]

Hi

We watched Big Jake last night on cable TV its surprising for a violent film to see the humour and the editing including small bits especially when Duke has to move a bit smartish they speed the film up, or maybe its as you say a piece of bad editing.

The film I saw included the scene with Pat Wayne and the buckshot.


Regards

Arthur

[Robbie]

Regarding my original question what I am seeking to know is prior to release were scenes cut from the movie due to is violent content ie what happened young billy and were there additional shootouts for Duke while tracking his grandson down.

[Hondo Duke Lane]

Robbie,

According to The Complete Films of John Wayne by Mark Ricci, Boris Zmijewsky and Steve Zmijewsky, the total time of the movie is 110 minutes. My copy of the movie on DVD is 109 minutes.

I must say if your question is more than a minute long then I think that the movie is pretty accurate to the original theatrical release on June 1971. I was only 10 years old when that movie was released.

Does that answer your question?

Cheers B)

[Robbie]

I think I may have worded my question quite poorly as everybody is getting a little confused by it.

What I am seeking to know is did George Sherman the director of Big Jake cut scenes within the movie due to it possibly being too violent and did one of these scenes involve the character young billy as he vanishes from all released versions of the movie. Finally was an additional scene filmed showing Duke return home following the succesful rescue of the boy.

I hope I have been a little clearer that time I'm sorry for any confusion.

[Hondo Duke Lane]

I understand your question, Robbie. I looked up several John Wayne books about Big Jake, and I know that I don't have all sources at my hands, so I can't answer your question, except to say that bio's from Duke sources don't mention anything about scenes being cut from the movie prior to its debut. So you might want to check sources out from George Sherman bio's. And I did look at the DVD of the movie and there was nothing to provide information to your question. That also holds true from the VHS copy.

Sorry that I didn't find what you were looking for. Maybe someone else on the board might be able to provide that information to you.

Cheers B)

[itdo]

Hi Robbie
Jan 2004 you asked the same question and it got some answers:

http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=437&st=15

Probably you didn't get the book that was pointed out, with the interview about Maureen O'Hara talking about her deleted scenes? I told you back then, you'd have to go all the way to find your answers.

[Jay J. Foraker]

There are several places in "Big Jake" that are left hanging, but, as far as I know, the final cut of the film is what we have. It may be that some scenes that were originally shot initially were left out for brevity and general flow of the plot-line. But, other than Maureen O'Hara's recollection, I have not heard anything specific. Personally, I feel that these scenes would have made for a better movie, especially a kind of epilogue that showed Big Jake and company returning to the McCandles Ranch.
Cheers - Jay ^_^ <_<