Giant (film)
"Giant" is a 1956 epic film directed by George Stevens, based on Edna Ferber's novel of the same name. The story follows Texas rancher Bick Benedict, played by Rock Hudson, who travels to Maryland to purchase a prized horse and ends up marrying the owner's daughter, Leslie, portrayed by Elizabeth Taylor. Their family saga, set against the backdrop of Texas ranching, unfolds over two generations and involves a rivalry with Jett Rink, a cowboy turned oil tycoon played by James Dean. While Hudson and Taylor are central to the film, it is Dean's performance that has become particularly iconic, especially following his tragic death in 1955, which shrouded the film in a lasting mythos.
"Giant" received critical acclaim, earning ten Academy Award nominations and winning the Oscar for Best Director. Many consider it one of the greatest films in cinema history, comparable to classics like "Gone with the Wind." The film explores themes of social class, identity, and the American dream, making it a significant cultural artifact of its time. Its diverse cast also includes notable performances from actors such as Mercedes McCambridge and Dennis Hopper, contributing to its rich narrative and legacy.
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Giant (film)
Identification Film about rich versus poor on a Texas ranch
Date Released in 1956
Director George Stevens
The film Giant, based on Edna Ferber’s best-selling novel, is chiefly remembered as being the last film in which actor James Dean appeared. The movie was giant in scope in all respects: It was more than three hours long, was filmed on a huge Texas ranch, and included many of Hollywood’s greatest stars.
Key Figures
George Stevens (1904-1975), film directorEdna Ferber (1885-1968), author ofGiant
Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor were considered the main stars of Giant initially, but it was the performance of James Dean that is best remembered. Other notable actors in the cast included Mercedes McCambridge, Chill Wills, Carroll Baker, Dennis Hopper, Earl Holliman, and Sal Mineo. The saga begins when Texas rancher Bick Benedict (played by Rock Hudson) visits Maryland to buy a prize horse. While there, he falls in love with the owner’s daughter, Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor); they are married immediately and return to his ranch. The story of their family and its rivalry with Jett Rink, a cowboy and later oil tycoon portrayed by Dean, unfolds across two generations. Rink is looked down upon by Bick and his family, but they cannot ignore his success.
Impact
Many critics agree that Giant is one of the greatest films of all time, an epic in the grand tradition of Gone with the Wind (1939). The film garnered ten Academy Award nominations in 1956, winning the award for best directing for George Stevens. Hudson, Taylor, and Dean gave outstanding performances, but Dean’s untimely death in 1955 and the ensuing mythology surrounding his life ultimately overshadowed the film and its performances.
Bibliography
Dalton, David. James Dean, the Mutant King: A Biography. San Francisco: Straight Arrow Books, 1974. Shows how carefully Dean crafted his own image and performances. A bibliography is included.
Hendler, Jane. Best Sellers and Their Film Adaptations in Postwar America: “From Here to Eternity,” “Sayonara,” “Giant,” “Auntie Mame,” “Peyton Place.” New York: Peter Lang, 2001. Examines film adaptations of novels during the 1950’s, focusing primarily on the portrayal of gender identity and conflict.
Spoto, Donald. Rebel: The Life and Legend of James Dean. New York: HarperCollins, 1996. Excellent biography with extensive bibliography and index. The author takes a dispassionate look at the legend of Dean and argues that his untimely death was probably his greatest career move.