HOT 4K NEWS
WARNER BROS. Home Entertainment will release the iconic modern epic western “Giant” on 4K Ultra HD on June 21. George Stevens, Sr. won his second Oscar for directing the sweeping family saga set in Texas during the days of the oil boom. Based on Edna Ferber’s controversial novel, the movie's release in 1956 was a massive box office hit and garnered 10 Academy Award nominations.
Considered by critics as ahead of its time, “Giant” is admired today for the breadth of its humanity more than its epic scale with its grand themes of generational conflict, racial tolerance, and social change. It exposed the marginalization and segregation of Mexican Americans for the first time on the big screen. At the center of the film, Elizabeth Taylor, as Leslie Benedict, portrays a strong and progressive woman who acts to stem the patterns of injustice.
Co-stars include James Dean as Jett Rink, Rock Hudson as Jordan ‘Bick’ Benedict Jr., Carroll Baker as Luz Benedict II, and Dennis Hopper as Jordan Benedict II.
In 2005, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
EXTRAS:
Commentary by George Stevens Jr., Screen Writer Ivan Moffat and Critic Stephen Farber
SPECS:
Video - The new 4K restoration was completed sourcing both the original camera negatives (1.66:1 aspect ratio) and protection RGB separation master positives for the best possible image, and color corrected in high dynamic range for the latest picture display technology.
Audio - The audio was sourced primarily from a 1995 protection copy of the Original Magnetic Mono soundtrack. The picture and audio restoration was completed by Warner Bros. Post Production Creative Services: Motion Picture Imaging and Post Production Sound.