MOVIES · STORY NOTES

Giant

Giant is a 1956 American epic drama film directed by George Stevens, from a screenplay adapted by Fred Guiol and Ivan Moffat from Edna Ferber's 1952 novel. The film stars Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean; and features Carroll Baker, Jane Withers, Chill Wills, Mercedes McCambridge, Dennis Hopper, Sal Mineo, Rod Taylor, Elsa Cárdenas, and Earl Holliman.

Description adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Giant (1956 film) · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text adapted for this entry.

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The story, including the ending.

These write-ups discuss major events and outcomes for this listed work. Each source and its coverage are identified below.

Source plot synopsis — includes the ending

In the mid-1920s, wealthy Texas rancher Jordan "Bick" Benedict Jr. travels to Maryland to purchase a prized stallion and meets socialite Leslie Lynnton. The two marry and return to the Benedict family's expansive cattle ranch, Reata, in Texas. Upon arrival, Leslie clashes with Bick's strong-willed sister, Luz, who resents her presence and tries to maintain control over the household. Leslie gradually discovers the deeply rooted patriarchal norms and racial hierarchies in Texas society, particularly the systemic discrimination against the region's Hispanic population. After escorting Leslie on a tour of the ranch, Jett Rink, a ranch hand infatuated with Leslie, points out the harsh living conditions of the Hispanic workers at the rundown village of Biendecito, where the Mexican laborers at Bick's ranch live in poverty. Leslie urges Bick to improve their circumstances. Her efforts include arranging medical care for Ángel Obregón II, the infant son of one of the workers, though Bick is initially reluctant to allow their family doctor to treat non-white patients.
Luz is killed after being thrown from Leslie's horse, War Winds. In her will, she bequeaths a small parcel of land to Jett, angering Bick. Jett declines Bick's offer to purchase the property and names it "Little Reata." Leslie and Bick have twins, Jordan III ("Jordy") and Judy, followed by a daughter, Luz II. Marital tensions lead Leslie to take the children to her parents in Maryland for an extended stay. Bick follows, and the couple reconciles and returns to Texas. Meanwhile, Jett works his land and eventually strikes oil. With his newfound wealth, he attempts to persuade Bick to permit oil drilling on Reata, but Bick refuses, determined to preserve the ranch's cattle legacy.
By 1941, the Benedict children have grown, and new tensions emerge. Bick expects Jordy to take over the ranch, but Jordy wishes to become a doctor. Leslie wants Judy to attend finishing school in Switzerland, though Judy aspires to study animal husbandry at Texas Tech. Each child successfully convinces one parent to support their goals.
At the family's Christmas gathering shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Bick offers Judy's husband, Bob Dace, a postwar position on the ranch, which he declines in favor of building an independent life with Judy. Realizing his children are unlikely to continue the family ranching tradition, Bick finally agrees to allow oil drilling on Reata. Jordy later marries Juana, a collaborator of the Hispanic doctor who had treated Ángel Obregón II as a child. The family grows wealthier, but Ángel is killed in the war.
Jett, now a powerful oilman, hosts a lavish event at his Emperador hotel for the grand opening of The Jett Rink Airport at the fictional city of Hermoso and invites the Benedicts. A flirtation between Jett and Luz II ends after she rejects his awkward marriage proposal. Jett becomes intoxicated and orders that Hispanics not be served at his hotel, resulting in Juana being ignored at the beauty salon. When Jordy confronts Jett, he is assaulted and removed from the premises. Bick challenges Jett but, recognizing his inebriated state, refrains from physical retaliation. Jett later collapses during an attempt to deliver a speech at the event. Luz II overhears his lament over his long-unrequited love for Leslie and departs, visibly affected.
The next day, while driving home, the Benedicts stop at a diner where the owner, Sarge, insults Juana and her and Jordy's young son. When Sarge attempts to eject a Hispanic family, Bick intervenes and engages in a fight, ultimately being knocked unconscious. Back at Reata, he reflects on his perceived failure to uphold the family legacy. Leslie reassures him, stating that his actions at the diner made him her hero and that their legacy is embodied in their two grandsons—one white and one Hispanic.
Sources and content license

Source and revision history ↗ · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Giant (1956 film). Section headings and formatting adjusted. · Content license