Giant
Seen it?1956 | 201 min | Drama, Western
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (88% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar, people are still talking about it and it made about 6 times its budget. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved 3:10 to Yuma or Train Dreams, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 3 hr 21 min.
- What might put you off
- It's long: 3 hr 21 min.
- Made in 1956: an older pace and style.
Wealthy rancher Bick Benedict and dirt-poor cowboy Jett Rink both woo Leslie Lynnton, a beautiful young woman from Maryland who is new to Texas. She marries Benedict, but she is shocked by the racial bigotry of the White Texans against the local people of Mexican descent. Rink discovers oil on a small plot of land, and while he uses his vast, new wealth to buy all the land surrounding the Benedict ranch, the Benedict's disagreement over prejudice fuels conflict that runs across generations.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.6 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Oscar: Academy Awards: Best Director. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Director – Motion Picture. Won 1 DGA Award: Directors Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures. Also nominated for 8 more Oscars, 1 more Golden Globe and 1 WGA Award. Plus 3 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$33 million worldwide on a $5 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactVery strong
About 318K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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3:10 to Yuma
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Train Dreams Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed drama.
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News of the World Saturday SpecialAnother drama, and a Saturday Special.
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Sunday Safe BetAnother western, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by George Stevens
- Elizabeth TaylorLeslie Lynnton Benedict
- Rock HudsonJordan 'Bick' Benedict
- James DeanJett Rink
- Carroll BakerLuz Benedict II
- Jane WithersVashti Synthe
- Chill WillsUncle Bawley
- Mercedes McCambridgeLuz Benedict
- Dennis HopperJordy Benedict
- Sal MineoAngel Obregón II
- Rod TaylorDavid Karfrey