The Big Valley (TV Series) The Iron Box (1966) User Reviews

Nick and Heath are imprisoned in a harsh prison work farm

[kfo9494 · 8/10 · 7 February 2013]

I swear there is someone in the production staff that has a beef with prison reform. This is one of about six shows that feature someone from the Barkley clan being falsely imprisoned in a sadistic facility that needs the help of the California Prison Reform System that Victoria just happens to be a member.

With that said this episode is actually entertaining and interesting. It begins when Nick and Heath are falsely accused of stealing a bull from a local rancher. The cad of a sheriff, knowing the truth, places them in a prison farm awaiting the Circuit Judge which will be in about two months. This seems to be the way strangers are treated in this rural county.

The prison is ran by an authoritarian old sea captain named Captain Rizely (David Sheiner). When Jarrod happens to find out about the imprisonment, he plans on getting the Judge to see for himself the terrible treatment of prisoners. Captain Rizely has a lot to lose so he comes up with a plan to hopefully save his authority. He places Heath in an iron box in the hot sun with the purpose that the prisoners will try an escape and then he will have to shoot them down and the story of the treatment will never be revealed. Will Jarrod be able to get the Judge in time?

David Sheiner is excellent playing the sadistic Captain of the prison ranch. With the acting of Peter Breck and Lee Majors this will prove to be a better show than expected.

Memorable Episode

[summerfields · 7/10 · 13 April 2010]

Heath gets himself into hot water and big brother Nick tries to bail him out.

The acting of the man who plays the sadistic prison dude is masterful and Peter Breck is excellent as usual.

Although some of these episodes may look a bit 'corny' today, back in circa 1966, baby boomer boys like me took this stuff very seriously.

The Barkley brothers really filled a void in my life and i will be forever indebted to this amazing show for showing what the love of a dedicated family member means in life.

The chemistry between Majors and Breck was great and this episode is a baby-boomer 'keeper'

Hellhole Prison

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 12 December 2019]

This Big Valley story has Nick and Heath being falsely arrested and sent to a labor camp without trial. In the process Heath sustains burns on his left leg. They work him in the prison, but get him no medical treatment.

David Sheiner plays a former sea captain who graduated from the Bligh sea school. And he delights in tormenting Peter Breck with Lee Majors's condition as precarious as it is.

Such talented folks as Walter Burke, Yaphett Kotto and Paul Picerni are in the cast. But Sheiner really steals this one.

Good Episode, esp if you like Nick and Heath

[wesperkins · 10/10 · 10 July 2017]

Personally, I like when Nick and Heath have to team up and kick butt, so naturally I like this episode. Although they actually don't kick much butt till the end, it was good seeing them together for most of the episode and working together. there was some interesting things I expected but never happened. For one, I thought for sure Jared would be arrested and problem solved for the Captain. Then I knew Billy was dead when he talked about he hoped he could die on some nice land with a breeze. Usually saying that on the Big Valley is like wearing a red shirt on Star Trek. Last, a black man leads a prison break and lives. All the usual things did not happen so I was glad they had a happy ending for all. The Big Valley has a way of killing off the guest stars.

The prison wasn't as dirty as I thought it should be, but the role of the Captain was played well. I liked the fact that they realized too late who their new prisoners were, and would not have done it if they knew that at the beginning. Usually the bad guys don't care who they are.

Overall this was a very good episode to watch. It keeps your attention, has some well known guest stars(the black guy from Alien and Billy has been in lots of shows back then). Grab a bowl of popcorn and sit back and lose yourself for an hour with this one!