This film is a little different from the normal John Wayne film of this era. He plays Jacob McCandles, a man estranged from his family. He’s been gone for many years, but a family crisis brings him back home. His wife Martha, played by Wayne’s number one costar; Maureen O’Hara, contacted him, after his grandson, Little Jake, was kidnapped. This incident, has led to the entire family being reunited. John Wayne’s real life son, Patrick, plays his estranged son, James, and to make for some Hollywood fun casting; Christopher Mitchum; Robert’s son, plays Michael. Bobby Vinton, plays Jeff, who was seriously wounded, during the kidnapping. John Wayne’s character, of course goes after the kidnappers. His wife gives him something special to take to the criminals. This is a case, filled with weapons.
Jacob McCandles takes his sons James and Michael with him. He is also accompanied by an Indian, Sam Sharpnose, (Bruce Cabot). Another party accompanying Wayne, is his dog, without a name. The dog’s main function is attacking the bad guys. There is also a company of Texas rangers, but they leave, after heavy fire, planning to meet up later. Wayne and company proceed, and the kidnappers have taken up positions. Their leader, John Fain, played well by the Duke’s good friend, Richard Boone, has come to discuss terms. After, this, Big Jake’s sons find the case with the ransom, and open it. It has no money, but just newspaper clippings. When confronted, Jake says the criminals seriously wounded his son and killed several ranch hands, and I’m going to pay them for that? This upsets his sons, and McCandles gets into a brawl with them. Of course the elder McCandles, wins, and everything is put aside. Duke and company go to the spot for the exchange, and the kidnappers get their just due. The attack dog is pressed into service, mauling a few of the bad guys. Jake’s son, Michael, has become a crack shot, with a rifle, and kills a sniper, in a bell tower, the dying gunman hitting the bell several times, before falling. One of the men, threatens little Jake. Big Jake grabs his gun, but he’s out of bullets. Quick thinking Duke, grabs a pitchfork, killing the bad man. Later, Jacob gets into a gun battle, with John Fain. Fain gets the drop on him, but Michael McCandles, takes a position and shoots Fain, fatally wounding him. Before Fain dies, he asks McCandles his name. Fain says he thought he was dead: a running joke throughout the movie. Wayne’s response is, “not hardly”. After this Little Jake is delighted to find out his grandson rescued him. Everybody then agrees to go home.
Big Jake is a modern western. It is a little like The Wild Bunch. It takes place around the same time. It features cars and motorcycles, and has a prototype Colt 45 automatic. These two things lend for comedy. Michael McCandles arrives at the ranch on a motorcycle. This scares the horses, including Wayne’s; which bolts and throws him into the mud. Michael has also brought the colt, which he can’t control, when it shoots wildly. His brother, James takes it off his hands, and becomes very good with the gun. His gun skills, later save his life. The other thing the film shares with The Wild Bunch is the violence. There are at least ten people killed.
Although this film is a John Wayne movie, it fits more into a Clint Eastwood western, with its violence and remorseless killers. It is to Wayne’s credit, that he finished directing, after George Sherman, became ill. He came up with a good looking semi-serious western. This is a credit to his many years in front of the camera. Big Jake is a movie that demonstrates John Wayne’s star power.