Giants

This Tag deals with films featuring unnaturally large or giant-sized organisms, including those which have been subjected to any process that causes an extraordinary increase in their physical dimensions. The scientific meaning of the word "gigantism" varies depending on context:

In a medical setting, for example, "gigantism" is a condition characterized by excessive skeletal growth, with the affected individual attaining a stature several standard deviations above the mean for persons of the same sex, age, and ethnic ancestry. This rare disorder results when the pituitary gland secretes elevated levels of growth hormone (GH) prior to growth plate fusion, which generally occurs shortly after puberty. Consequently, after adulthood, elevated GH no longer causes excessive height, but rather acromegaly, which typically manifests as enlargement of the hands and feet, and possibly also of the forehead, jaw, and nose. Other symptoms may include joint pain, thickening skin, deepening of the voice, headaches, and vision problems.

Turning from medical science to zoology, "deep-sea gigantism" refers to the tendency of numerous deep-sea dwelling species (e.g., mysids, euphausiids, decapods, isopods and amphipods) to grow considerably larger than their shallower-water relatives. Scientists have identified several possible explanations for the phenomenon: colder temperatures, food scarcity, reduced pressure from predators, and increased dissolved oxygen levels. A similar biological phenomenon is called "island gigantism" (aka "insular gigantism"), in which animal species isolated on an island attain dramatically larger dimensions compared to their mainland relatives.

A source of fascination and fear since antiquity, the concept of the "giant" has also constituted a recurrent plot device throughout the history of cinema, particularly in the realm of science fiction. Giant-sized animals ran rampant in cult films during the 1950s and became a nearly constant presence in stories focusing on fantabiology and environmental concerns. Turning to directors, we can't help but mention the countless feature films helmed by Bert I. Gordon (1922-2023), a prolific craftsman in the giant-monster genre.