Review of The Big Trees (1952)
Seen in 2018.
Exploitation of the redwoods in northern California, soon after the US government declares prior land grants void.
A late-period western where the occasional shootings and fist fights look curiously natural in a settled society. Alas the focus is very much on the human drama; there are no native Americans or other non-whites. The Quaker colony’s Christian zealotry takes the place of every other reason to appreciate the forest, and the forest isn’t shot well. Kirk Douglas does have fun working for free to escape his long-term contract, but he can’t quite carry it.