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 beautiful, sweeping epic

George Stevens' 1956 epic "Giant" is the story of the Jordan Benedict (Rock Hudson), the male heir to one of the largest cattle ranching families in Texas. At the start of the film, we see Jordan traveling to Maryland to look at a horse he is interested in purchasing, There he meets Leslie, (Elizabeth Taylor) the daughter of the man he is purchasing the horse from (and the unofficial "owner" of the horse) and immediately falls in love with her. The feeling is mutual, so after an incredibly brief (two day) courtship, they marry and he brings her back to his ranch in Texas, Reatta. At first, life on the ranch is tough, particularly while dealing with Jordan's overprotective, no-nonsense sister Luz. (Mercedes McCambridge) Leslie soon adjusts, however, and the two of them start a family. Meanwhile, Jordan is at constant odds with one of his ranch hands, Jet Rink (James Dean) whom he always wants to fire, but is eternally protected by Luz. When Luz unexpectedly dies, Jet is ready to walk off the ranch for good, but discovers that Luz has bequeathed a parcel of the land to him. Partly to tick Jordan off, partly for his respect for Luz and partly so that he can have something for himself, Jett eschews Jordan's cash buyout and instead sets up a homestead on the land. Five years later, Jet strikes oil, and soon he is again at odds with the Benedicts, as Jet, having become one of the richest men in Texas, wants to buy out Reatta, while Jordan wants to keep the ranch for cattle raising, and most importantly – to keep it in the family. The next 15-20 years are spent raising their children and trying to cope with a changing family dynamic, one where the children may not want to adhere to the roles that have been pre-attributed to them, a struggle that is particularly hard for their son Jordan III (Dennis Hopper) because as the sole male heir, his dream of becoming a doctor is seemingly out of the question. "Giant" is about life, and the ever-changing role of the American family.

"Giant" is a very long film, (about three and a half hours) but this time frame is necessary because the story is so rich. Despite its running time, there are no pacing issues, and no real superfluous scenes. The cinematography is lush and rich (I never really thought Texas to be all that intriguing, but William C. Mellor's photography was exquisite. The performances by the principals were very good, particularly since they had to age 25 years in the film. This wasn't a mere makeup job, you could feel the aging in the way they carried themselves, and their facial expressions. James Dean in particular, perhaps because he had such a fascinating character, was stunning. Jet Rink is a complex character, and Dean really worked the role fantastically. I was also impressed, considering the overly idealistic Hollywood of the 1950's, that "Giant", while ending on a happy note, did not compromise its characters in any way to achieve its ending. Jordan for example, is typical old-guard Texas, and therefore looks down on Mexicans. When his son marries one, he has marginal acceptance and is always polite, but even after engaging in a fight to defend the honor of his grandson, he still expresses his woe that his grandson is who he is. Also, Leslie is an unabashed free-thinker who often challenges the Texas traditions, much to Jordan's chagrin. Throughout their years together however, she does not compromise her views and need to express them. I really liked this about the film, because it is rare for the time, particularly when the genre is melodrama.

I really liked this film, though when recommending it, have to caution because of the sheer length of the film. Watching "Giant" is an investment of time, but it is certainly a worthwhile investment. 7/10 --Shelly