Sunday Viewing: “Giant,” 1956

Warner Brothers



Adapted from the novel by Edna Ferber and directed by veteran film-maker, George Stevens, Giant tells the tale of a wealthy Texas family and their struggled (both internal and external) as they try to maintain their way of life amidst changing times.

Warner Brothers

At the start of the film, rancher Bick Benedict returns to his sprawling Texas ranch, Reata, with his new bride from Maryland, Leslie Lynnton. Bick’s sister, Luz, runs the ranch with an iron fist and resents Leslie and her refined ways and progressive ideas about the equality of the ranch’s Mexican workers. Luz tries her best to undermine Leslie whenever given the chance. Luz’s favored assistant, Jett Rink, is also a thorn in Bick’s side. Not only is Jett clearly infatuated with Leslie, but he also comes to have a claim on part of Reata—a parcel of land that eventually yields oil. The struggle between Bick and Jett intensifies as Bick and Leslie’s differences lead them farther apart. As their world changes with the approach of the second World War, Bick finds that he may have to alter his mindset.

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Stevens originally wanted Alan Ladd to play Jett Rink. His wife advised him against it, stating that Ladd’s career was fading and that he should consider up-and-coming star James Dean. Stevens cast Dean, but bristled at the young actors overwrought method acting which didn’t fit into Stevens’ tight directing style which he had honed since the days of silent films. For the role of Bick, Stevens considered William Holden, but ultimately cast Rock Hudson who was given the choice of two leading ladies—Grace Kelly or Elizabeth Taylor. Hudson chose his good friend Elizabeth Taylor who gives one of her more even performances in the film. Joining Hudson, Taylor and Dean in the cast are Mercedes McCambridge as Luz, Sal Mineo, Carroll Baker, Jane Withers, Chill Wills and Dennis Hopper.

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Giant was filmed in Marfa, Texas which doubled as Reata. The scenes set in Maryland were actually shot at the Belmont Estate in Albemarle County, Virginia. All interiors will filmed in Burbank, California at Warner Brothers. The film was a year in the editing. James Dean was killed before the release of the film and actor Nick Adams had to be hired to dub Dean’s final lines.

Warner Brothers

Perhaps because of the untimely death of Dean, the film received considerable attention. It opened to good reviews and features excellent performances from the principle cast. Dimitri Tiomkin’s peculiar musical score is the most criticized feature of the film with many feeling that he reworked a score from a previous film. Otherwise, it’s quite interesting to see the differences in acting style between James Dean and Taylor and Hudson. When left to his own devices, Dean is at his best, however, in some scenes his costars seem a little startled by his performance.

This trailer for Giant will give you a taste for the film if you haven’t seen it. Part s of it are a trifle slow, but it’s an interesting, well-acted picture with an intriguing story that you will, no doubt, enjoy.