John Wayne, now in his 60s, plays a crude version of Ben Cartwright(TV's Bonanza), in rediscovering his abandoned Texas cattle ranching family, after a 10year absence, and helps rescue his grandson from a very violent bandit gang. The latter, instead of merely rustling cattle, kill most of his wife's firearm-incompetent hands(her 2 sons conveniently escaping serious harm), and kidnap his grandson for a whopping(especially in those days) $1 million ransom. Seems his wife Martha(Maureen O'Hara) had been a very savvy ranch manager in his absence, and claims that losing $1 million will not set her back too much(hardly believable unless she is pumping lots of oil too). She sends for Jake to deliver the chest supposedly containing the greenbacks, trusting no one else to do the job right. Of course, there will be an attempt to do in the bandits instead, without getting their grandson killed. Martha OKs a plan to ambush the bandits, using Texas Rangers touring cars to get there fast. Jake doesn't like it. It turns into a disaster(as Jake presumably predicted), as the would be bushwhackers get wacked on the way, instead. The message is that modern mechanical technology is not always appropriate in this frontier environment... Be prepared to see a lot of red dye on shirts and pants. A lot of people get shot, often multiple times, sometimes dying, sometimes only wounded. In some respects, it reminds us of "McLintock", also produced by Wayne's company: Batjac, 8 years previously. However, this time it's Wayne's character, rather than Maureen's character, who returns to their ranch home after a long estrangement. Wayne's interactions with his sons and grandson, rather than with his wife and daughter(as in "McLintock'), is at the heart of the story. Although she dominates much of the first portion of the film, Maureen disappears after the men leave to try to recover the grandson. In contrast to "McLintock", there is a spirit of temporary cooperation, rather than emphasizing the personality clashes between Wayne's and Maureen's characters. However, unlike in "McLintock", there is no hint of an eventual romantic reconciliation. Also, the abundant gunplay, killings and woundings, is in marked contrast to "McLintock". Two of Wayne's actual sons play one of his sons or grandson, while one of Robert Mitchum's sons plays Jake's other son(the one who arrives on a motorcycle). The following year, Wayne again starred as a father figure, albeit quite different, in another coming of age film ; "The Cowboys". I prefer that film, despite its implausibility. Richard Boone plays his usual villainous role in the present film. Bruce Dern was much more interesting as the demented leader of the baddies in "The Cowboys" . "McClintock" and "The Cowboys" are much better and more original films than the present one.Wayne plays one of his most blustering and violent characters, ordering people around he doesn't know, slapping and punching his sons or others on occasion to show who's boss, and intimidating most just by his past reputation. Not the most appealing guy to have around, but he usually gets the job done. Some John Ford-type humor is included here and there. However, there is no romantic aspect involving Jake or his sons. This was the last non-TV film directing job by veteran George Sherman, who was sometimes too sick to perform his function, resulting in Wayne sometimes being the functional director. Sherman specialized in directing mostly 'second feature' films. However, two of them; "Against All Flags" and "Comanche Territory" are among my favorite film roles for Maureen. As in the present film, she is in a normally male role as a powerful leader or manager.As some others have pointed out, the dialog often comes across as stilted, and the acting generally is mediocre. The 'good guys' seem incapable of harming the bandits 'til the final showdown, when they all of sudden find their targets or find other ways to kill all the baddies, thus saving the justice system considerable trouble.We first encounter Jake muttering to his dog and horse, spying on a curious sight in an open field, with a single tree in the center. A man is about to be hanged on that tree by 3 men. Jake rides in to disturb the proceedings. He learns that the victim's crime is being a sheepherder in cattle country. He uses his reputation as a feared gunslinger and an attack by 'dog' to bully the cattlemen into releasing the shepherd and his young son, provided their sheep are moved elsewhere. This episode presumably functions to give us the idea, which Jake later claims, that his predilection for violence usually is for a good purpose. 'Dog' apparently is the collie 'Lassie', who has been dyed blackish to provide a sinister wolf-like impression. Soon after, a Mexican rider meets Jake riding alone on the range, giving him a brief written message request from Martha that he is needed at home, with no explanation why. He nods OK. Next thing we know, he arrives at their ranch by train. Unlikely for a man who hasn't communicated with his family for 10 years! Meanwhile, the bandits have been waiting for their ransom money, apparently without lawmen on their tail for their many recent murders.

Excellent western from Duke's later years. In the early 1900s, Jacob McCandles (John Wayne) sets out to rescue his grandson from kidnappers led by John Fain (Richard Boone). On the journey he gets to know his two grown sons (Patrick Wayne, Christopher Mitchum) he hasn't seen in nearly a decade. This one's lots of fun. Richard Boone makes for a great villain. One of the few villains Duke ever had in his films that seemed close to a match for him. Maureen O'Hara plays Duke's wife in their last movie together. Duke's longtime friend and frequent costar Bruce Cabot is very likable as Sam the Indian. This is one of those "death of the West/old vs new" stories that were all over the place in the '60s and '70s. Not surprisingly, Wayne made some of the best of those. It's a great western with some lighter moments, lots of action, and memorable tough guy lines.

From its documentary style opening, Big Jake delivers big fun, big adventure, nasty villains, whippersnapper sons and classic John Wayne. This movie has something for everyone, but be warned it has plenty of violence and is definitely a PG/ PG13 type film.The supporting cast is excellent with Patrick Wayne, Christopher Mitchum, Richard Boone,Bruce Cabot, Maureen O'Hara, Gregg Palmer and Dog turning in solid performances.While there are the formulaic elements such as horrendous acts perpetuated by bad men that give license to the good guys to do whatever is necessary to right the wrong, Big Jake also has other elements that make this film not just another Western:1) Takes place in transition period of the turn of the century which provides some interesting interaction between the old ways and new ways. 2) Fun relationships and interplay between an estranged father and his young adult sons. 3) Great mixture of fun and intense gritty action. (John Wayne movies are known for this)Consequently - If you like Westerns this is a classic that you will enjoy.If you are a fan of John Wayne at all this is a must see film.If you are just looking for a good gritty action film with a healthy dose of humor seamlessly woven in to the story you will not be disappointed.Ultimately, this is one of my favorite John Wayne films.

When the grandson of beautiful Maureen O'Hara and her estranged husband John Wayne is kidnapped, Wayne re-appears after being believed by many people other than his wife to be dead. He joins his sons (Bobby Vinton, Patrick Wayne, Christopher Mitchum) to find the nasty gang (lead by Richard Boone) who are holding him hostage out of vengeance. Wayne and sons fight the villains tooth and nail, and Wayne gets to show a sentimental side for both the wife he still loves and the grandson he never knew.The focus may be on the family, but the style is violence. Boone and his men are evil renegades, and Wayne and sons represent old-fashioned goodness. The conflict is there, the heroes all rugged and handsome, and the wasted O'Hara undeniably one of the most beautiful veteran actresses still working in the 1970's. You can't take your eyes off her for her fleeting time on screen, and wish she was there more. The final battle between the two groups goes on far too long, and the situation with Wayne and O'Hara is never resolved, leading the viewer to make their own conclusions. In spite of that, it is hard not to like the film, even if this is one of Wayne's bloodier westerns.