Press/Journalists

The National Archives Salutes William Wyler on October 18
Press Release · Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Washington, DC…On Thursday, October 18, at 6 p.m. in its William G. McGowan Theater, the National Archives will present three-time Academy Award®-winning director William Wyler’s epic 1958 widescreen western, The Big Country. Catherine Wyler, daughter of William Wyler and a Washington, DC-based producer (Memphis Belle, Directed by William Wyler), will introduce the screening and discuss her father’s representation in the motion picture holdings of the National Archives.

The free program is presented by the Charles Guggenheim Center for the Documentary Film at the National Archives in partnership with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. A newly created 35mm print from the restoration by the Academy Film Archive, with support from the Film Foundation, will be screened.

In The Big Country, Gregory Peck portrays a successful sea captain who retires to the West to marry his fiancée (Carroll Baker) but becomes embroiled in a conflict between her family and rival landowners over watering rights for their cattle. The film also stars Charlton Heston, Jean Simmons, Chuck Conners, and Burl Ives (Oscar® winner for Best Supporting Actor). (166 minutes)

For information on National Archives public programs, call (202) 357-5000, or view the Calendar of Events online. The William G. McGowan Theater is located in the National Archives Building on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW, Washington, DC. Use the National Archives Building Special Events entrance on the corner of 7th Street and Constitution Avenue. See the Visitor's Map.

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For Press information, contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

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