Eli Weaver, "the giant," lives like a hermit on thunder mountain, due to the hostility, gossip, and rejection of the local townspeople, who, without evidence, accuse him of murdering his parents. A young girl, Amy Wilson, seeks to turn the tables by befriending the giant–learning that Eli was innocent of the tragic deaths of his parents. Eventually, she succeeds in winning his heart, and Eli agrees to visit the townspeople again, only to be rejected and cast out a second time. However, Amy and her brothers persist in keeping their friendship alive with the giant. Through a series of suspense-filled events, which are totally misunderstood by the townspeople, a lynch mob erroneously hunts down Eli. However, the truth is revealed in the nick of time, and Eli is instrumental in capturing the real criminals, associated with a travelling carnival. The townspeople, finally accepting the truth, regard Eli as a hero. Eli, in several respects, comes across as a Christ-figure in the movie: suffering many hardships from the rejection, scorn and derision of the townspeople, reminding me a little of William Butler Yeats’ "rough beast" exterior, contrasted with the biblical tender, gentle Jesus who loves and welcomes children. Themes: How destructive hasty judgments and gossip can be to an individual’s reputation (Matthew 7:1ff., James 3:5ff.), think before you speak and act, external appearances are often very deceptive and have tragic consequences, God’s and Christ’s love for the outcasts of society (Matthew 11:19, Luke 15, etc.), risking one’s life and loving others (John 15:12ff.). Highly recommended for family viewing. (Reviewed by the Rev. Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson)