Giant
From the novel by Edna Ferber
Giant is a movie of huge scale and grandeur in which three generations of land-rich Texans love, swagger, connive and clash in a saga of family strife, racial bigotry and conflict between cattle barons and newly rich oil tycoons. It's also one of the most beloved works of director George Stevens, who won an Academy Award for this film, one of the 10 Oscar nominations the film earned.
Member Reviews
A Hollywood Classic - MovieProf
"Giant" was nominated for ten Academy Awards, but won only one. That win was to director George Stevens, who took years to bring this story to the big screen. "Giant" truly was a labour of love for him.
There are a few great things about this movie that I want touch on. First and foremost is the cast. James Dean made only three films before his life was cut tragically short in an automobile accident just days after finishing work on "Giant." It is here that audiences today can see what could have been from such a proimising young actor. Dean's work is so good in "Giant" that he might have risen to the greatness of so many of his contemporaries, namely Rock Hudson (his costar), Marlon Brando, Charleton Heston, and others. Hudson is good here too, as is Elizabeth Taylor, who receives top-billing in the credits, but no one touches Dean here.
"Giant" is over three hours, and the time is needed to tell such a massive story that spans approximately twenty-five years. The other strong point here, however, is the decision on the part of Stevens to tackle social issues, and that is why "Giant" works so well. The two obvious issues are racial intolerance and sexual discrimination. Rock Hudson exemplifies the attitudes, presumably, of so many southern white men in the early years of the twentieth century, but more importantly, perhaps, the years in which the film was made. Women are seen as second-class citizens, too immature and lacking in knowledge to listen in while men discuss politics; Mexican immigrants are treated as unwanted pests who plague the Texan landscape. Hudson does a lot of growing up throughout the film, and while it isn't clear he learns the true meaning of tolerance, he is at least somewhat changed by the film's end.
Well worth the time.Epic and a glimpse of what James Dean could have been... - Zoodles
I watched this on TMN a while ago and felt compelled to zip it.
James Dean is electrifying in this, his final movie role (a grand total of 3 movies in his young life). In my opinion Dean really shows his potential here more than East Of Eden or Rebel Without A Cause. This movie really shows that Dean is/was more than just a cultural icon. He truly had amazing acting ability and it is evident in this role.
Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor do very well here as well; but it is Dean who steals the show for me here. From his early disdain for Hudson's character, to his stubborness in giving up the land he was bequested, to his tireless work on the land he does get, to finally the hubris, and racism of his later character, it is all believeable and you can totally buy into his character.
This is truly an epic movie and I am hopeful that it will be properly remastered and released on Blu-Ray one day. In the interim DVD is probably as good as you are going to get. The acting, script, and incredible locales all combine to a delicious 3 hour escape.
Well worth the journey...An Epic of Time and Space - Jimmy_Jam
The sheer vision of Giant deserves credit alone. This is an absolutely massive picture that tackles tough, hard hitting issues at the forefront of the 50's. Granted, the film seems a little cliche at the beginning, but the performances of all 3 leads carry this film to greatness. It is quite long at 3 1/2 hours, but that just adds to the epic tale. It covers so much narrative time that anything shorter would be dengerous to the plot. Dean steals the show in my opinion; he is the degenerate turned millionare who can't shake his past, and leads to a fascinating conclusion.
Member Reviews
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A Hollywood Classic - MovieProf
"Giant" was nominated for ten Academy Awards, but won only one. That win was to director George Stevens, who took years to bring this story to the big screen. "Giant" truly was a labour of love for him.
There are a few great things about this movie ...Epic and a glimpse of what James Dean could have been... - Zoodles
I watched this on TMN a while ago and felt compelled to zip it.
James Dean is electrifying in this, his final movie role (a grand total of 3 movies in his young life). In my opinion Dean really shows his potential here more than East Of Eden or Rebel ...An Epic of Time and Space - Jimmy_Jam
The sheer vision of Giant deserves credit alone. This is an absolutely massive picture that tackles tough, hard hitting issues at the forefront of the 50's. Granted, the film seems a little cliche at the beginning, but the performances of all 3 leads carry ...