Originally Posted by
sodascouts
I don't know about TT but I finally got around to ordering this last week and Don Henley does a very good job with the narration of the documentary. He doesn't dominate the narrative - most of the documentary consists of interviews of people who worked on the film, behind-the-scenes footage, and clips from its promotion (naturally) - but his contributions are well done.
As for the movie itself, as a Texan, I enjoyed its portrayal of a people who were flawed but could learn and overcome. I love and miss Texas. It has problems but every place does. It will always be my home state, no matter how long I live elsewhere, and I am proud to call myself a Texan. Honestly, it made me a little homesick. Despite the fact that Southeast Texas looks quite different from West Texas where Giant is set, it has its share of ranches, and my old hometown Beaumont was where oil was first discovered in Texas.
Elizabeth Taylor is stunning; Rock Hudson, James Dean, and Dennis Hopper are terrific. The plot moves slowly and takes its time telling the story so it's not for everyone, but it's a good example of a big Hollywood epic that captures a time and place very well.