Rating: Not Rated
Movie Release Date: November 24, 1956
DVD Release Date: May 31, 2005
Plot 411: The story of three generations of Benedicts, a family rich in land and cattle.
Review: This is a great saga about Bick (Rock Hudson) and Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor) Benedict and their family. When Bick goes east to buy a stud horse, he meets Leslie and marries her. Upon bringing his new bride home, she and his sister (Mercedes McCambridge) buck heads for control over the household. Leslie also encounters ideological differences between her life back east and her life in Texas - wealth vs. poverty, racism against Mexicans and the male dominated culture of Texas. Ranch hand Jet (James Dean), who comes from modest means, is jealous of the Benedicts' rich lives and falls for Leslie, and he sets out to make a name for himself. The family is confronted with real examples of racism when Bick's son (Dennis Hopper) marries a Mexican girl, and Bick must also face his own prejudice. Bick and Leslie must also adjust their dreams for their children as the children grow up and have dreams of their own. They must adapt with the changing times. I enjoyed this movie despite its extra long run time. Some might say it isn't as good as Gone With The Wind, however, I liked it better. For me, its themes and attitudes were more relatable (which is probably just a generational thing), and James Dean and Rock Hudson were quite easy on the eyes.
Movie Release Date: November 24, 1956
DVD Release Date: May 31, 2005
Plot 411: The story of three generations of Benedicts, a family rich in land and cattle.
Review: This is a great saga about Bick (Rock Hudson) and Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor) Benedict and their family. When Bick goes east to buy a stud horse, he meets Leslie and marries her. Upon bringing his new bride home, she and his sister (Mercedes McCambridge) buck heads for control over the household. Leslie also encounters ideological differences between her life back east and her life in Texas - wealth vs. poverty, racism against Mexicans and the male dominated culture of Texas. Ranch hand Jet (James Dean), who comes from modest means, is jealous of the Benedicts' rich lives and falls for Leslie, and he sets out to make a name for himself. The family is confronted with real examples of racism when Bick's son (Dennis Hopper) marries a Mexican girl, and Bick must also face his own prejudice. Bick and Leslie must also adjust their dreams for their children as the children grow up and have dreams of their own. They must adapt with the changing times. I enjoyed this movie despite its extra long run time. Some might say it isn't as good as Gone With The Wind, however, I liked it better. For me, its themes and attitudes were more relatable (which is probably just a generational thing), and James Dean and Rock Hudson were quite easy on the eyes.
Watch It: For an interesting look at several generations of life and the society changes experienced through one family.
Skip It: Because this is not Gone With The Wind.
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