Google Ads
Login | Sign Up

Giant Overview:

Giant (1956) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by George Stevens and produced by George Stevens and Henry Ginsberg.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by Edna Ferber published in 1952.

SYNOPSIS

This fabled family saga follows the lives and loves of a wealthy Texan rancher and a cowpoke who strikes it rich in the Texas oil fields. Rich with the period's greatest actors, including not only Dean's last performance and Taylor and Hudson in top form, but also support from McCambridge, Hopper, Baker, and Mineo. Dean's performance as a prosperous former ranch hand with an attachment to his former boss's wife (Taylor) has become legendary. The 40th anniversary enhanced version includes a restored soundtrack and color as well as 60 minutes of archival footage, a special introduction from the director, and the original theatrical trailer. The deluxe boxed set includes George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey, a full-length documentary about the acclaimed director. The Limited Collector's Edition includes a 72-page book.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Giant was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2005.

Academy Awards 1956 --- Ceremony Number 29 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorJames DeanNominated
Best ActorRock HudsonNominated
Best Supporting ActressMercedes McCambridgeNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: Boris Leven; Set Decoration: Ralph S. HurstNominated
Best Costume DesignMoss Mabry, Marjorie BestNominated
Best DirectorGeorge StevensWon
Best Film EditingWilliam Hornbeck, Philip W. Anderson, Fred BohananNominated
Best Music - ScoringDimitri TiomkinNominated
Best PictureGeorge Stevens and Henry Ginsberg, ProducersNominated
Best WritingFred Guiol, Ivan MoffatNominated
See More Oscar Winners

Giant BlogHub Articles:

Check it Out! - Giant Movie/TV Posters on Sale

By The Metzinger Sisters on Jul 23, 2022 From Silver Scenes - A Blog for Classic Film Lovers

If you have an afternoon free then here is something that will take up a good hour of your internet time - AllPosters is running a sale for new customers - 55% off all items plus free shipping. We're not affiliated with AllPosters and actually never bought from them before but this just seemed like ... Read full article

Monsters and Matinees: ‘Giant From the Unknown’ Towers over Richard E. Cunha’s ‘Six-day Wonders’

By Toni Ruberto on Feb 13, 2021 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

‘Giant From the Unknown’ Towers over Richard E. Cunha’s ‘Six-day Wonders’ In the world of Monsters and Matinees, discovering a filmmaker or film that is new to us is good – even if the movie isn’t so great. B-movie fans know they don’t have to be great to b... Read full article

'Stand Tall!' takes a (virtual) giant step

By carole_and_co on Oct 25, 2020 From Carole & Co.

Carole Lombard could vouch for the power of a good script (she's seen holding one, for 1934's "Now And Forever," in Paramount portrait p1202-812). While neither of my two completed feature screenplays is close to being produced yet, one of them made a major advancement Saturday."Stand Tall!", my rom... Read full article

Pre-Code Crazy: The Little Giant (1933)

By shadowsandsatin on Aug 20, 2019 From Shadows and Satin

Edward G. Robinson? Mary Astor? It’s a “don’t miss” combo – and the reason why The Little Giant (1933) is my Pre-Code Crazy pick for the month of August. (My Pre-Code Crazy partner in crime, Kristina over at Speakeasy, is taking a little break from our monthly collaboration, so I’m going... Read full article

Book Review: CARL DENHAM'S GIANT MONSTERS

By Dan Day, Jr. on Jul 10, 2019 From The Hitless Wonder Movie Blog

Frank Dello Stritto's CARL DENHAM'S GIANT MONSTERS is a follow up to his magnificent book A WEREWOLF REMEMBERS: THE TESTAMENT OF LAWRENCE STEWART TALBOT. Both volumes are "biographies" of famous fantastic film characters. CARL DENHAM'S GIANT MONSTERS covers the life of the man who captured King Kon... Read full article

See More Giant Articles

Giant Quotes:

Jordan 'Bick' Benedict: You want to know something, Leslie? If I live to be ninety, I will never figure you out.
Jett Rink: You sure do look pretty, Miss Leslie. Pert nigh good enough to eat!
Uncle Bawley: Bick, you shoulda shot that fella a long time ago. Now he's too rich to kill.
Leslie Benedict: Money isn't everything, Jett.
Jett Rink: Not when you've got it.
Jett Rink: Everybody thought I had a duster. Y'all thought ol' Spindletop Burke and Burnett was all the oil there was, didn't ya? Well, I'm here to tell you that it ain't, boy! It's here, and there ain't a dang thing you gonna do about it! My well came in big, so big, Bick and there's more down there and there's bigger wells. I'm rich, Bick. I'm a rich 'un. I'm a rich boy. Me, I'm gonna have more money than you ever *thought* you could have - you and all the rest of you stinkin' sons of... Benedicts!
See More Quotes from Giant
Giant Facts
George Stevens made the film for no upfront salary but a percentage of the (substantial) back end profits.
Originally budgeted just shy of $2 million, the film ended up costing over $5 million. Despite the worries of studio head Jack L. Warner, it went on to become Warner Bros.' biggest hit up to that time.
James Dean was so completely immersed in his character that he hardly ever changed out of his costume.
Location filming took place for two months outside the tiny Texas town of Marfa. Director George Stevens did not have a closed set but actively encouraged the townspeople to come by, either to watch the shooting, visit with the cast and crew or take part as extras, dialect coaches, bit players and stagehands.
Barbara Barrie's first film.
See More Facts about Giant >>