"I guess the road south towards Presidio was TX 17."
Actually, the road to Presidio is U.S. Highway 67, which connects to Marfa (about 60 miles north) at U.S. 90. I've driven along that stretch 9 times over the years. Southwest Texas (known as the Trans-Pecos region) is incredibly scenic. There aren't too many roads out there that I haven't been on. State Road 17 begins in Marfa and heads north to Fort Davis (on the eastern side of the scenic Davis Mountains) and continues across Interstate 10, then on to Pecos.
I watched this movie for the first time about two weeks ago (after reading where it was filmed). I really liked it, and it was great to see my favorite part of Texas again. I live in Florida (and have all my life) but I've seen more of West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona than my home state. I obviously lived out there in a previous life. It's just beautiful wide-open country that's made for cruising at about 80 miles an hour, and with a good soundtrack!
The scene where the guys dug up "Dom" looked instantly familiar. I had a feeling of where it was. When they showed the scene of Costner standing on the rock a few hundred feet above the Rio Grande I knew exactly where they were, as I have been there 9 times. It's the Big Hill, overlooking Madera Canyon on Ranch Road 170, which follows the Rio Grande between Presidio and Lajitas - among my favorite stretches of highway. One of my dozen trips to West Texas was in 1993. Last time I was out there was November of 1999, so I'm overdue for another visit.
I definitely need to get this DVD for my collection.
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meyerstein1
12 years ago
I like Fandango, but crazy about Giant. I made a trip in October 2012 to West Texas as I wanted to see where they filmed Giant.I drove from Houston (where I landed) to Marfa and it took me almost 3 days to arrive.I did not hurry and I stopped at very nice places such as Guadelope river, Ft. Davis and finally arrived in Marfa. My main interest was the location of the big gothic house which was one of the film's motives. I was assisted by the Marfa tourists office to receive the proprietor's permission to drive into the filming location. It was very exciting for me to drive towards the Evans house from Hwy 90, with all the desert around you, and suddenly I saw it standing firm , the remains of the facade they built for the Giant main outdoors shooting....
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Lajitas9
12 years ago
"Giant" was a great movie. I haven't seen it in quite a few years. I need to revisit it. When I think that I've been through or stayed the night in Marfa 11 times over the years, I can't believe that I never took the time to visit the movie set. Next time I pass through Marfa I will make it a point to visit it.
The drive from Houston to Marfa is relaxing as well as scenic, and there are many great places to visit along the way. I've also driven along stretches of the Guadelupe River, especially near Kerrville, and the town of Fort Davis is a great place to visit and shop. Did you drive up into the Davis Mountains and catch the view from the McDonald Observatory atop Mt. Locke? It's at an elevation of nearly 6,800 feet, and offers an impressive 360 degreee view of the mountains and desert beyond.
Glad you had the opportunity to visit West Texas.
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