Giant

Main Plot

"Giant" is an epic drama that spans over two decades, exploring themes of wealth, class, and racism in Texas. The story begins with Jordan "Bick" Benedict, a wealthy cattle rancher, who travels to Maryland to buy a prize horse. There, he meets and marries Leslie, a strong-willed socialite from the East. The couple returns to Bick’s vast ranch in Texas, where Leslie struggles to adjust to the harsh, often prejudiced ways of the local society. As the narrative unfolds, the film delves into the lives of the Benedict family, including their conflicts, loves, and ambitions. Leslie becomes increasingly involved in advocating for the rights and welfare of the Mexican-American workers on the ranch, which causes tension with Bick’s traditional views. The arrival of Jett Rink, a poor ranch hand who later strikes oil and becomes a wealthy tycoon, introduces a new dynamic to the story, challenging the Benedicts’ societal and financial status. The film explores the transformation of characters and their relationships over the years, set against the backdrop of the changing American landscape, highlighting issues of power, change, and justice.

Characters

• Elizabeth Taylor plays Leslie Lynnton Benedict, a strong-willed and progressive woman who challenges societal norms and influences her family's views on race and class in Texas.
• Rock Hudson plays Bick Benedict, a wealthy Texas rancher who navigates family dynamics, social change, and conflicts over race and class throughout the film.
• James Dean played Jett Rink, a ranch hand who becomes wealthy and influential after discovering oil, impacting the dynamics and relationships of a Texas ranching family.

Ending Explained

At the end of George Stevens' film "Giant," the narrative culminates in a poignant conclusion that underscores themes of family legacy, social change, and racial equality. The film, spanning over two decades, concludes with the wealthy Texas rancher, Bick Benedict, and his wife, Leslie, witnessing the societal shifts around them, particularly concerning the treatment of Mexican-Americans. In the final scenes, Bick and his family attend a diner where Sarge, the racist owner, refuses service to a Mexican family and attacks them when they insist on their rights. Bick, despite his earlier prejudices, confronts Sarge, leading to a physical altercation. Bick, who loses the fight, is helped by his son Jordy, highlighting a generational shift in attitudes towards racism and equality. The film ends with Bick and Leslie returning to their vast estate, reflecting on the changes within themselves and their community. They find comfort in their grandchildren, who embody the new, more inclusive values. This conclusion emphasizes the evolution of Bick from a traditional patriarch to a figure open to change, paralleling the transformation of American society itself during the mid-20th century.