Overview
A sweeping tale of love and rivalry set against the backdrop of Texas ranch life.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- sweeping
- romantic
- earnest
- classic cinema night
- epic movie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film's striking cinematography, ambitious scale, social ideas, and powerful central performances despite its extended runtime.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story follows Bick and Leslie's family and Jett Rink's changing fortunes across two generations.
The Benedict ranch and the Texan plains dominate the film's personal conflicts and social critique.
Jett Rink evolves from a resentful cowboy into an oil tycoon, reshaping the family rivalry and Texas society.
Leslie enters Bick's ranching world but challenges expectations that women should remain ornamental and subordinate.
Films like Giant, and why
The Big Country
sweeping western family melodrama spanning social change, wealth, romance, and generational conflict
Imitation of Life
large-scale historical melodrama centered on romance, social hierarchy, and changing American identities
The Magnificent Ambersons
epic family drama exploring ambition, inheritance, class, and regional transformation across decades
Movie Details
- Director
- George Stevens
- Release Date
- 1956-11-08
- Runtime
- 201 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (781)
Cast
- Elizabeth Taylor
- Rock Hudson
- James Dean
- Carroll Baker
- Jane Withers
- Chill Wills
- Mercedes McCambridge
- Dennis Hopper
- Sal Mineo
- Rod Taylor
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Giant about?
- A sweeping Texas family saga follows a proud rancher, his independent wife, and a rival whose oil fortune transforms their lives and their state.
- What is Giant like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Giant as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Giant violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Giant as mild.
- What did critics think of Giant?
- Critics broadly praised the film's striking cinematography, ambitious scale, social ideas, and powerful central performances despite its extended runtime.
- Which films are like Giant?
- Films with a similar feel include The Big Country, Imitation of Life, and The Magnificent Ambersons.
- How long is Giant?
- Giant runs 201 minutes.
- Where can I watch Giant?
- In United States, Giant is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
