Giant (1956)

Sprawling epic covering the life of a Texas cattle rancher and his family and associates.

Director:

George Stevens

Writers:

Edna Ferber (from the novel by), Fred Guiol (screen play),

Stars:

Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean

Won 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Elizabeth Taylor	...	Leslie Benedict
Rock Hudson	...	Jordan 'Bick' Benedict Jr.
James Dean	...	Jett Rink
Carroll Baker	...	Luz Benedict II
Jane Withers	...	Vashti Snythe
Chill Wills	...	Uncle Bawley
Mercedes McCambridge	...	Luz Benedict
Dennis Hopper	...	Jordan Benedict III
Sal Mineo	...	Angel Obregón II
Rod Taylor	...	Sir David Karfrey (as Rodney Taylor)
Judith Evelyn	...	Mrs. Nancy Lynnton
Earl Holliman	...	'Bob' Dace
Robert Nichols	...	Mort 'Pinky' Snythe
Paul Fix	...	Dr. Horace Lynnton
Alexander Scourby	...	Old Polo

Storyline

Texan rancher Bick Benedict visits a Maryland farm to buy a prize horse. Whilst there he meets and falls in love with the owner's daughter Leslie, they are married immediately and return to his ranch. The story of their family and its rivalry with cowboy and (later oil tycoon) Jett Rink unfolds across two generations.

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Plot Keywords:

ranch | rancher | epic | land | texas | 

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Taglines:

THEY'RE CALLING IT ANOTHER "GONE WITH THE WIND"! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

24 November 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gigante

Filming Locations:

Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,400,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Giant Productions, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

201 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Warnercolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film spent an entire year in the editing suites.

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Goofs

In the scene where Leslie faints at the barbecue, long shots show Luz standing at a table with no one behind her. But in the close-up after Leslie faints, when Luz says, "That's what I was afraid of", there is a crowd of people in the background behind her.

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Quotes

Uncle Bawley: Bick, you shoulda shot that fella a long time ago. Now he's too rich to kill.

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Crazy Credits

and presenting Carroll Baker

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: 2011 Teachers Tournament Quarterfinal Game 4 (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Taps"
(1862) (uncredited)
Music by Daniel Butterfield

User Reviews

Dean matures

As a "Deaner," what can be said that hasn't already been said?eh Flawless performance from an American film icon. "Giant" marked his second posthumous Academy Award nomination. The only actor to achieve such a feat. In light of this, I am astounded at the comments made that Dean was unconvincing as an aging Jhett Rink. Can you picture Leo DiCaprio in the same role? He simply doesn't have the maturity to pull it off. Dean had it, and he was only 24. And long before The Ewings, we had The Benedicts. Edna Ferber's brilliant masterpiece is brought to the silver screen. A sprawling epic that was years ahead of its time. Tackling racism and classism, this shall aways remain George Stevens' signature piece.