Giant (1956)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  201 Minutes

Rating: G

Genre: Western, Drama

Director: George Stevens

Starring: Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean, Carroll Baker

IMDB Rank: 7.7/10

Part 1 Time: 109 Minutes

Part 2 Time: 92 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Jett Rink strikes oil on his land. Goes to the Benedict ranch to brag about his find. Jordan “Bick” Benedict Jr and Jett fight, with Jett leaving as the victor of this exchange.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Bick, you shoulda shot that fellow along time ago, now he’s to rich to kill.” Uncle Bawley states after the Jett/Bick altercation at the Benedict ranch.

First line of dialogue on the second part:  “You tell your client that Reata is my property.” Jordan “Bick” Benedict speaks on the phone with representatives of Jett Rink about selling property rights.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, Bick and Jett have a tenuous relationship, with Jett striking oil, the relationship between them becomes switched with Jett having more money and influence. How will the Benedict family respond?

Which part is better? This is very tough to determine. Part one focuses on the early years of Leslie and Jordan Benedict’s relationship highlighting the successful Benedict cattle business. In part two, World War Two has begun and petroleum is a hot commodity in the United States. The Benedict’s are somewhat forced to give into selling oil drilling rights to Jett Rink. The Benedict’s begun the reap the profits of oil extraction and begin to live life more lavishly. Part two is given the edge due to its ability to address the stereotypes of money, race, and identity present among various groups during the early 1950’s.

Academy Awards: Best Director, Best Picture (Nominated), Best Leading Actor (Rock Hudson, James Dean- Nominated), Best Supporting Actress (Mercedes McCambridge- Nominated), Best Writing- Screenplay Adapted (Nominated), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration Colour (Nominated), Best Costume Design Colour (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated), Best Music- Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (Nominated).

National Film Registry: 2005