Good character study
Added 10/26/2009
The Bottom Line:
This adaptation of the second half of Steinbeck's epic novel isn't a great piece of storytelling but it succeeds in being interesting because setting the method acting James Dean against old-school Raymond Massey (who genuinely disliked the young Dean) electrifies their scenes together, generating enough tension to keep the viewer engaged despite the less impressive secondary players and plot.
3/4
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James Dean was wonderful but the film was disappointing
Added 10/5/2009
I've lately been reading great novels of the twentieth century and I'd just finished John Steinbeck's East of Eden. Certainly Steinbeck's best, the novel expands on the Biblical story of Cain and Abel through three generations of a family, more true to the Biblical text than most preachers ever could be, and philosophically ahead of its time. But this movie version is disappointing. The script was clearly written to showcase the promising young actor James Dean stereotyped in the "what's happening to our teenagers" 50's angst. The script obliterated Steinbeck's story line, cut out the Greek Chorus-like main character of the novel- the Chinese manservant Lee- and tried to focus a multi-generational theme into a few months of a wayward teen's life. The film is only a 'classic' because Dean was superb and he died so young. I highly recommend the 1981 mini-series TV film version of the story over the 50's 'classic.'
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East of Eden
Added 8/28/2009
Well worth purchasing this classic. The information dtata on the film very interesting. Buy it and enjoy.
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Nothing to write home about.
Added 8/22/2009
It was o.k. I guess. A James Dean fanatic might like it. A Steinbeck fanatic will hate it.
***Not Dean's Best***
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A great story as a standalone film
Added 6/17/2009
I am not comparing this to the book, since I have not yet read it. However, the Steinbeck-based story is quite compelling, and all the actors make it worth watching. James Dean is fascinating from beginning to end as troubled Cal, the young man who believes himself to be bad because his own mother ran out on him and his brother and dad, going off to run a brothel not far from where they live. To Cal, Aron is the good son, Dad is too demanding and too righteous ever to be pleased or to love Cal just for who he is, and for a while any kind of love, as Cal sees it, just isn't worth the time and the potential agony.
Some nice scenery of what is purported to be the Salinas and Monterey area.
The music is at times unnecessary, but typical of that era.
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James Dean Complete Set of Three......
Added 9/13/2009
James Dean was my favorite actor back in the 50's...which I was a teen like him, and wanted to be him wearing a Red Jacket, white T shirt, all of my friends did, and when he was killed part of the legend died with all of us....I wanted to see him again and I already had these movies in the VHS format, but wanted the DVD's......when I got the movies in, I watched them in Surround Sound, on a Home Theatre, and didn't miss a word.....I don't know which movie I liked the most......I guess East Of Eden, was my favorite......and years ago, made a trip out to Sainas, California and just walked around thinking of James Dean, and wondered how he would look if he had lived....Been to Fairmont, Indiana visited the James Dean Museum, and walked around the grave site, making pictures of his head stone...talked to other people there, and we all were huge fans at that time, and still are to a certain degree.....you can't beat these 3 movies, and to watch them again in today's sound, and wide screen TV's at home...is just great....
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James Dean Collection
Added 8/31/2009
The DVDs were not firmly attached in the box. Both East of Eden and Rebel without a Cause were flopping around when the product arrived. However, with the exception of the special scenes at the end of East of Eden, they played fine. I enjoyed getting them on DVD.
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Great Movies, Great DVDs
Added 5/25/2009
Since the transfer quality is fantastic and the dvds are loaded with extras, there is nothing to complain about. The movies, obviously, are fantastic. Dean delivers three terrific performances. What's not to like?
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