Giant (1956)

Director:

George Stevens

Writers:

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

Release Date:

24 November 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Western

Tagline:

From the novel by EDNA FERBER

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Epic | Rancher | Ranch | Texas | Texan

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 5 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

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
Fran Bennett	...	Judy Benedict
Charles Watts	...	Judge Oliver Whiteside
Elsa Cárdenas	...	Juana Guerra Benedict (as Elsa Cardenas)
Carolyn Craig	...	Lacey Lynnton
Monte Hale	...	Bale Clinch
Sheb Wooley	...	Gabe Target
Mary Ann Edwards	...	Adarene Clinch
Victor Millan	...	Angel Obregón Sr.
Mickey Simpson	...	Sarge
Pilar Del Rey	...	Mrs. Obregón
Maurice Jara	...	Dr. Guerra
Noreen Nash	...	Lona Lane
Ray Whitley	...	Watts
Napoleon Whiting	...	Jefferson Swazey
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Nick Adams	...	Jett Rink - Giving Banquet Speech (voice) (uncredited)
Perfideo Aguilar	...	Jordan Benedict IV - As an Infant (uncredited)
Elsa Aguirre	...	(uncredited)
Fernando Alvarado	...	Busboy (uncredited)
Eddie Baker	...	Gov. North (uncredited)
Barbara Barrie	...	Mary Lou Decker (uncredited)
Ray Bennett	...	Dr. Borneholm (uncredited)
Dave Bishop	...	Jordan Benedict III - As an Infant (uncredited)
Richard Bishop	...	Jordan Benedict III - As an Infant (uncredited)
Claudia Bryar	...	Older Beauty Operator (uncredited)
John Caler	...	Driver (uncredited)
Georgann Cashen	...	Judy Benedict - As an Infant (uncredited)
Mary Ann Cashen	...	Judy Benedict - As an Infant (uncredited)
Pat Cortland	...	Vashti's Daughter (uncredited)
Colleen Crane	...	Judy Benedict II - As an Infant (uncredited)
Marlene Crane	...	Judy Benedict II - As an Infant (uncredited)
Highland Dale	...	War Winds the Horse (uncredited)
Dana Dillaway	...	Judy Benedict - Age 4 (uncredited)
Tex Driscoll	...	Clay Hodgins Sr. (uncredited)
George Dunn	...	Vern Decker (uncredited)
Pete Dunn	...	(uncredited)
Juney Ellis	...	Essie Lou Hodgins (uncredited)
Ella Ethridge	...	General's Wife (uncredited)
Vera Lee Friedman	...	Vashti's Daughter (uncredited)
John Garcia	...	Angel Obregón II - As an Infant (uncredited)
Maxine Gates	...	Waitress at Sarge's (uncredited)
Ethel Greenwood	...	Governor North's Wife (uncredited)
Gypsy	...	War Winds the Horse (uncredited)
Bill Hale	...	Bartender (uncredited)
Marc Hamilton	...	Guard (uncredited)
Sam Harris	...	Governor's Ball Guest (uncredited)
Stuart Holmes	...	Wedding Guest (uncredited)
David Jiminez	...	Angel Obregón - Age 5 (uncredited)
Steven Kay	...	Jordan Benedict III - Age 4 (uncredited)
Kenner G. Kemp	...	Governor's Ball Guest (uncredited)
Paul Kruger	...	General (uncredited)
Jill Lent	...	Luz Benedict II - Age 2 (uncredited)
Judy Lent	...	Luz Benedict II - Age 2 (uncredited)
Jack Lomas	...	Truck Driver in Diner (uncredited)
Ana Maria Majalca	...	Petra (uncredited)
Kermit Maynard	...	Governor's Ball Guest (uncredited)
Tina Menard	...	Lupe (uncredited)
Charles Meredith	...	Minister (uncredited)
Harold Miller	...	Wedding Guest / Governor's Ball Guest on Dais (uncredited)
Tom Monroe	...	Guard at Governor's Ball (uncredited)
Carl Moore	...	Toastmaster (uncredited)
Tony Morella	...	Busboy (uncredited)
Ina Poindexter	...	Young Woman (uncredited)
Ramon Ramirez	...	Jordan Benedict IV - as an Infant (uncredited)
Martha Randall	...	Young Beauty Operator (uncredited)
Julian Rivero	...	Old Man (uncredited)
Jeffrey Sayre	...	Square Dance Extra (uncredited)
Bob Shurley	...	Extra (uncredited)
Bert Stevens	...	Wedding Guest / Governor's Ball Guest on Dais (uncredited)
Mitzi Sutherland	...	Vashti's Daughter (uncredited)
Slim Talbot	...	Clay Hodgins, Jr. (uncredited)
Guy Teague	...	Harper (uncredited)
Max Terhune	...	Dr. Walker (uncredited)
Wanda Lee Thompson	...	Judy Benedict II - Age 2 (uncredited)
Felipe Turich	...	Gómez (uncredited)
Natividad Vacío	...	Eusebio (uncredited)
Francisco Villalobos	...	Mexican Priest (uncredited)
Christine Werner	...	Luz Benedict II - As an Infant (uncredited)
Dan White	...	Truck Driver in Diner (uncredited)
John Wiley	...	Assistant Manager (uncredited)
Rush Williams	...	Waiter (uncredited)

Directed by
George Stevens

Writing credits
Edna Ferber		(from the novel by)
Fred Guiol		(screen play) and
Ivan Moffat		(screen play)

Produced by
Henry Ginsberg	....	producer
George Stevens	....	producer

Original Music by
Dimitri Tiomkin

Cinematography by
William C. Mellor		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
William Hornbeck		(editing by)
Robert Lawrence		(uncredited)

Casting by
Hoyt Bowers		(uncredited)

Production Design by
Boris Leven		(production designer)

Set Decoration by
Ralph S. Hurst		(as Ralph Hurst)

Costume Design by
Marjorie Best		(costumes designed by)

Makeup Department
Gordon Bau	....	makeup supervisor
George Lane	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Edith Palmer	....	body makeup (uncredited)
Frank Prehoda	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Pat Westmore	....	hairdresser (uncredited)

Production Management
Tom Andre	....	production manager
Ralph E. Black	....	production manager (uncredited)
Mel Dellar	....	production manager (uncredited)
Charles Greenlaw	....	assistant production manager (uncredited)
Ralph W. Nelson	....	unit manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Fred Guiol	....	second unit director
Russell Llewellyn	....	assistant director: second unit (as Russ Llewellyn)
Joseph E. Rickards	....	assistant director (as Joe Rickards)
Read Killgore	....	second assistant director (uncredited)
Rusty Meek	....	second assistant director (uncredited)
Buddy Messinger	....	second assistant director (uncredited)
Dick Moder	....	first assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
J. Leslie Asher	....	props (uncredited)
Dean V. Lennon	....	drapery (uncredited)
John Moore	....	prop master (uncredited)
Weldon H. Patterson	....	props (uncredited)
George Stoltz	....	greenman (uncredited)

Sound Department
Earl Crain Sr.	....	sound
James R. Alexander	....	cable man (uncredited)
Clifford Call	....	recordist (uncredited)
C.J. 'Mickey' Emerson	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
Samuel F. Goode	....	boom man (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Ralph Webb	....	special effects (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Jack Cosgrove	....	special visual effects (uncredited)

Stunts
Paul Baxley	....	stunts (uncredited)
Eli Bo Jack Blackfeather	....	stunts (uncredited)
Ron Burke	....	stunts (uncredited)
Whitey Hughes	....	stunts (uncredited)
Troy Melton	....	stunts (uncredited)
Paul Stader	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Edwin B. DuPar	....	photography: second unit (as Edwin DuPar)
Eddie Leon Albert	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Wesley Anderson	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Warren E. Boes	....	best boy (uncredited)
Elmer Faubion	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Charles Harris	....	grip (uncredited)
Frank Lamber	....	best boy (uncredited)
Jim L. Mathews	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Frank McCarthy	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Ted D. McCord	....	location camera (uncredited)
Frank V. Phillips	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Sanford Roth	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Richard L. Wilson	....	gaffer (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Moss Mabry	....	costume designer: Miss Taylor
Joan Joseff	....	costume jeweller (uncredited)
Ted Kring	....	wardrobe: men (uncredited)
Ann Landers	....	wardrobe: women (uncredited)
John Noble	....	wardrobe: men (uncredited)
Sophia Stutz	....	wardrobe: women (uncredited)
Vic Vallejo	....	wardrobe: men (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Philip W. Anderson	....	associate film editor (as Phil Anderson)
Fred Bohanan	....	associate film editor

Music Department
Dimitri Tiomkin	....	conductor
Lucien Cailliet	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Manuel Emanuel	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Carl Fortina	....	musician: accordion soloist (uncredited)
Michael Heindorf	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Gus Levene	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Paul Marquardt	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Tommy Morgan	....	musician: harmonica soloist (uncredited)
Tony Mottola	....	musician: guitarist (uncredited)
George Parrish	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Leonid Raab	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Uan Rasey	....	musician: trumpet soloist (uncredited)
Herbert Taylor	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Transportation Department
James E. Haynes	....	driver

Other crew
Ted Ashton	....	unit publicist (uncredited)
Joe Barry	....	location manager (uncredited)
Carl P. Benoit	....	location manager (uncredited)
Wally Cech	....	craft service (uncredited)
Betty Coryell	....	secretary (uncredited)
Marjorie Dillon	....	stand-in: Elizabeth Taylor (uncredited)
Sam Freedle	....	script supervisor (uncredited)
Narciso Gonzalez	....	horse wrangler (uncredited)
Robert Hinkle	....	dialogue coach (uncredited)
Harold Hourihan	....	accountant (uncredited)
Ralph McCutcheon	....	horse trainer (uncredited)
George Stevens Jr.	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Giant Productions (A George Stevens Production)
• Warner Bros.

Distributors

• Warner Bros. (1956) (USA) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (1956) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (1963) (USA) (theatrical) (re-release)
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1972) (USA) (TV)
• Warner Home Video (1985) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Video (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Video (1997) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1999) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (1999) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Warner Home Video (2001) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (2003) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Bros. Films (1957) (1968) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Nordfilm (1983) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Fazer Musiikki Oy/Fazer Video (1989) (Finland) (VHS)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2003) (Finland) (DVD)
• Warner Bros. Entertainment Finland Oy (2005) (Finland) (DVD)
• Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1982) (1985) (2001) (Finland) (TV)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (1991) (1996) (1998) (2009) (Finland) (TV)
• Audio Visual Enterprises (1990) (Greece) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (????) (Germany) (VHS)
• Warner Home Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

201 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Warnercolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | Canada:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 (original rating) | UK:PG | Portugal:M/12 | Iceland:L | Spain:T | Australia:G (TV rating) | Australia:PG (DVD rating) | West Germany:12 (f) | South Korea:12 | USA:Approved (PCA #17675) (original rating) | USA:G (re-rating) (1970) | Sweden:11 (re-rating) (cut) (1960) | USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

Arizona, USA

Company:

Giant Productions

Trivia:

Orson Welles was inspired by the film to make The Other Side of the Wind (1972), one of his many unfinished opuses. It tells of an old director trying to complete an epic movie and being taunted by his young male lead who keeps calling him "Fatso". The director encourages his star to buy a sports car. In what exists of the film, the director is played by lean, lanky John Huston. "Fatso", however, was James Dean's nickname for George Stevens during the making of "Giant".

Goofs:

Continuity: When Luz II puts in her request for a private phone, the position of her right arm changes between long and close shots.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Jordan 'Bick' Benedict:You want to know something, Leslie? If I live to be ninety, I will never figure you out.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in That'll Be the Day (1973)

Soundtrack:

Silent Night

A Film As Big and As Great As Texas.

"Giant" is a sometimes forgotten masterpiece which is remembered for its massive budget (becoming the most expensive movie ever made at that time) and of course James Dean's death during the final stages of production. All the sub-stories during the making of this film overshadow the fact that this is easily one of the top ten movies ever made. Definitely in the class with epics like "Gone With the Wind" and "Lawrence of Arabia", "Giant" is a 200-minute symphony of a movie about the life of a Texas cattle rancher (Oscar-nominee Rock Hudson) and his wife from the East Coast (Elizabeth Taylor). Immediately following their marriage, Hudson's older sister (Mercedes McCambridge, Oscar-nominated) dies after falling off the same horse that Hudson had bought from Taylor's father. Disgusted with the fact that Hudson had married Taylor, McCambridge had decided to leave a small part of her land to quiet cow-hand James Dean (in his finest performance, garnering him his second consecutive posthumous Oscar nomination). Hudson is advised to buy the land from Dean, but Dean refuses to sell. Now Dean is trying to strike oil and is ultimately successful. He becomes a huge oil baron and one of the richest and most powerful men in Texas. Hudson continues to make money as well, but eventually has to swallow his pride and become a wild-catter himself. The hate and friction between Hudson and Dean is sure to lead to fireworks for all associated with the two volatile men. Secretly, Dean has always loved Taylor and even goes so far as to try and get with Taylor's youngest daughter (a brilliant turn by Carroll Baker). Dean is trying to substitute Baker for the lover he has always had for Taylor. By this time Dean is well in his 50s (due to heavy makeup), but he is trying to capture the failed dreams of his youth. Ultimately, Dean has everything except the one thing he really wanted. He lacks love in his life and he suffers miserably through as the film progresses. The older twin children of Hudson and Taylor's both grow up to go in very different directions. The daughter (Fran Bennett) marries and wants to run the ranch, to Hudson's approval and Taylor's dismay. However, the son (a very young Dennis Hopper) marries a Hispanic woman (very taboo back in those days) and wants to go north to become a doctor. Of course Hudson is outraged at this development and nearly disowns Hopper all together. Hudson then decides that Bennett's new husband (Earl Holliman) may be the best for the job. Holliman though is immediately drafted into World War II, along with Hispanic laborer Sal Mineo. Hudson worries about change after he passes away, but he eventually learns that most of the things he obsesses about are not as important as other matters. Equality for females and Hispanic Americans are major messages throughout here. Much like novelist Edna Ferber's equally excellent "Cimarron" (which dealt with sexism and racism toward Native- and African-Americans in Oklahoma), "Giant" paints a wonderfully complex picture of humanistic relationships from varying cinematic angles. Overall, "Giant" is a huge motion picture that is so smart, multi-layered and deep-thinking that it requires over three hours to tell the entire story. Everything here is so magnificent. The Oscar-winning direction by George Stevens, the screenplay, the art direction, the editing, the costume design, the makeup, the sound and the original musical score are all superb. Almost every actor does the best work of their respective careers as well. James Dean and Rock Hudson are the best. Mercedes McCambridge (albeit in a very small role) is super. Dennis Hopper and Carroll Baker (Baker even received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in 1956 for "Baby Doll") both show amazing range at their very young ages. Chill Wills (who plays Hudson's old wise uncle) and Elizabeth Taylor give stellar performances as always. Overlooked in 1956 (the unmemorable "Around the World in 80 Days" won the Best Picture Oscar), "Giant" is easily the best film from that weak year and is ranked as the best movie of that decade in my book. One of the most excellent productions of all time. 5 stars out of 5.