The Big Sky

The film follows Jim Deakins (Kirk Douglas) and Boone Caudill (Dewey Martin), two Kentucky mountaineers who join a trading expedition from St. Louis to trade whisky for furs with the Blackfoot Indians. Along the way, they encounter numerous challenges, including rival traders and hostile Native American tribes. Zeb Calloway (Arthur Hunnicutt) is a key figure in the expedition, owning a sailing barge called Mandan that serves as their vessel. The two men soon discover that there is more to contend with than just the elements, as they navigate the complexities of trade, cultural differences, and personal relationships.