The Big Trail

The Big Trail is a 1930 American PreCode early widescreen movie shot on location across the American West starring John Wayne in his first leading role and directed by Raoul Walsh.

After the film was given the greenlight by the producers at Fox Studios in early 1930, Walsh offered the lead to actor Gary Cooper, who couldnt accept it.citation needed He then asked friend and fellow director John Ford for suggestions Ford recommended a thenunknown named John Wayne because he liked the looks of this new kid with a funny walk, like he owned the world. When Wayne professed inexperience, Walsh told him to just sit good on a horse and point. notes Filming began onlocation just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico in April 1930, which was unheard of at the time and quickly became very costly to the studio.citation needed The film was shot in an early widescreen process using 70mm film called 70 mm Grandeur film, which was first used in the film Fox Movietone Follies of 1929. The scene of the wagon train drive across the country was pioneering in its use of camera work and the depth and view of the epic landscape.citation needed An effort was made to lend authenticity to the movie, with the wagons drawn by oxen instead of horses they were lowered by ropes down canyons when necessary for certain shots in narrow valleys. Tyrone Powers characters clothing looks realistically grimy, and even the food supplies the immigrants carried with them in their wagons were thoroughly researched. Locations in five states, starting from New Mexico to California, were used to film the caravans 2,000mile 3,200km trek.citation needed ........

Source: Wikipedia