Amazon.co.uk Review
They call it
Giant because everything in this picture is big, from the generous running time (more than 200 minutes) to the sprawling ranch location (a horizon-to-horizon plain with a lonely, modest mansion dropped in the middle) to the high-powered stars. Stocky Rock Hudson stars as the confident, stubborn young ranch baron Bick Benedict, who woos and wins the hand of Southern belle Elizabeth Taylor, a seemingly demure young beauty who proves to be Hudson's match after she settles into the family homestead. For many the film is chiefly remembered for James Dean's final performance, as poor former ranch hand Jett Rink, who strikes oil and transforms himself into a flamboyant millionaire playboy. Director George Stevens won his second Oscar for this ambitious, grandly realised (if sometimes slow moving) epic of the changing socio-economic (and physical) landscape of modern Texas, based on Edna Ferber's
bestselling novel. The talented supporting cast includes Mercedes McCambridge as Bick's frustrated sister, put out by the new "woman of the house"; Chill Wills as the Benedicts' garrulous rancher neighbour; Carroll Baker and Dennis Hopper as the Benedicts' rebellious children; and Earl Holliman and Sal Mineo as dedicated ranch hands.--
Sean Axmaker, Amazon.com
Video Description
Giant was nominated for 10 Academy Awards with director George Stevens winning his second Oscar for this ambitious, grandly realized epic of the changing socio-economic (and physical) landscape of modern Texas, based on Edna Ferbers best-selling novel. Triple Academy Award winner Elizabeth Taylor (
Butterfield 8, Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) stars alongside 4-time Golden Globe winner Rock Hudson (Oscar nominated for his role in
Giant) and Golden Globe winner James Dean (
Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden).
Living up to its title, everything in this picture is big, from the running time to the sprawling ranch location and the high-powered stars. Rock Hudson stars as the confident, stubborn young ranch baron Jordan Bick Benedict, who woos and wins the hand of Southern belle Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor), a seemingly demure young beauty who proves to be Bicks match after she settles into the family homestead. The film sees James Deans final performance before his tragic death, as poor former ranch hand Jett Rink, who strikes oil and transforms himself into a flamboyant millionaire playboy, earning a second posthumous Academy Award nomination. The talented supporting cast includes Mercedes McCambridge as Bicks frustrated sister, put out by the new woman of the house, and with Carroll Baker and Dennis Hopper as the Benedicts rebellious children.