Where was the movie big jake filmed?
Written as The Million Dollar Kidnapping, which was used as the shooting title, it was filmed from early October to early December 1970, in the Mexican states of Durango and Zacatecas, including scenes shot at the El Saltito waterfall and in the Sierra de Órganos National Park.
The ranch house used for the McCandles ranch is the same house used for the Chisum ranch in Chisum (1970), a John Wayne western made a year earlier. Note the scenery around the ranch.
Big Jake was more than just another Wayne picture. The full-fledged family production featured Wayne's three real-life sons—Michael, Patrick and Ethan.
Man John Wayne was one handsome cowboy! My best Border Collie is named Hondo after this scene. The collies in Hondo and the later Wayne Western Big Jake were trained by the Weatherwax kennels and were Lassie siblings and children, but were not played by Lassie.
In 1909, when John Fain's gang kidnaps Jacob McCandles' grandson and holds him for ransom, Big Jake sets out to rescue the boy.
If you want to know more about John Wayne's career and life, please read my book: John Wayne has no intention of quitting, as Big Jake, or as John Wayne the real-life actor. The film is based on a three generational plot, enabling Wayne to pass down the tradition of the West to his sons and grandsons!
Written as The Million Dollar Kidnapping, which was used as the shooting title, it was filmed from early October to early December 1970, in the Mexican states of Durango and Zacatecas, including scenes shot at the El Saltito waterfall and in the Sierra de Órganos National Park.
By the time Western legend John Wayne was filming 1971's violent and bloody “Big Jake,” he was in his mid-60s and in failing health. He couldn't run and had trouble breathing, but the actor still insisted on doing his own stunts for the movie's many action scenes.
He is pictured here on a Honda SL 350 during the filming of Big Jake. The motorcycle was used for production & had a camera fastened to it and was rode by stuntman, Everett Creach.
Two collies, trained by Robert Weatherwax and Rudd Weatherwax, played Dog, John Wayne's faithful companion: Silver and Laddie (Lassie Jr.) for the stunts.
What did Chris Mitchum say about John Wayne?
But John Wayne was too big to take down, as large in life as he was on screen. “So liberal Hollywood went after actors who worked with him, and I was blacklisted” said Mitchum.
John Wayne and Richard Widmark famously did not get along during filming.
Plot summary. Homesteader Angie Lowe (Geraldine Page) and her 6 year-old son Johnny (Lee Aaker) are doing chores when Hondo Lane (John Wayne) arrives, carrying his saddle bags and rifle, accompanied by his dog Sam. He was riding dispatch for the US Army Cavalry, had an encounter with Indians and lost his horse.
McCandless Ranch sits on the southwest slope of Mauna Loa in the South Kona Forest Legacy Area between 4,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation.
Patrick Wayne as James McCandles
John Wayne's son, Patrick Wayne plays James McCandles in the Big Jake cast. He is the oldest son of the McCandles family.
Two collies, trained by Robert Weatherwax and Rudd Weatherwax, played Dog, John Wayne's faithful companion: Silver and Laddie (Lassie Jr.) for the stunts.
1 What was the name of the character portrayed by John Wayne in this movie? John Wayne's character was named Jacob McCandles. An ageing rancher and businessman, with a reputation with a gun, he had not been home for 18 years.