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From Amazon.co.uk
When people think of James Dean, they probably think first of the troubled teen from Rebel Without a Cause: nervous, volatile, soulful, a kid lost in a world that does not understand him. Made between his only other starring roles, in East of Eden and Giant, Rebel sums up the jangly, alienated image of Dean, but also happens to be one of the key films of the 1950s. Director Nicholas Ray takes a strikingly sympathetic look at the teenagers standing outside the white-picket-fence 50s dream of America: juvenile delinquent (that's what they called them then) Jim Stark (Dean), fast-girl Judy (Natalie Wood), lost-boy Plato (Sal Mineo), slick hot-rodder Buzz (Corey Allen). At the time, it was unusual for a movie to endorse the point of view of teenagers, but Ray and screenwriter Stewart Stern captured the youthful angst that was erupting at the same time in rock 'n' roll. Dean is heartbreaking, following the method-acting style of Marlon Brando but staking out a nakedly emotional honesty of his own. Going too fast, in every way, he was killed in a car crash on September 30, 1955, a month before Rebel opened. He was no longer an actor, but an icon, and Rebel is a lasting monument. --Robert Horton, Amazon.com
Product Description
Nicholas Ray's juvenile-delinquent film (originally a vehicle for Marlon Brando) opened after the death of its star James Dean in a car crash and made Dean into an icon of rebellion. The storyline takes place over a 24-hour period and follows Jim Stark (Dean), a restless teenager always in trouble with the law. His mother smothers him, while his father is weak and ineffectual and the family has only recently moved to Los Angeles to try and save Jim from a life of crime. However, when Jim is picked up for being drunk and disorderly he notices Judy (Natalie Wood) at the police station and determines to ask her on a date at high school the next day. This leads him into conflict with Judy's boyfriend, Buzz (Corey Allen). He is determined to prove himself with his new found 'friends' by taking part in switchblade fights and a 'chickie' game where cars race to the edge of a seaside cliff.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The unique charisma and talent of James Dean make Rebel Without A Cause an absolute must-see for all film buffs. Dean stars as Jim, a lonely and misunderstood teenager whose trouble-making has forced his family to move to a new neighborhood. On his first day, Jim alienates a gang of boys, gets a girlfriend (Natalie Wood), befriends a neurotic outcast (Sal Mineo), and takes part in a "chicky-run" over a cliff.
Every minute of this film has become beloved by its fans, thanks to Dean, who owned the screen in his famous white tee shirt, red jacket, and jeans. 50s teens thought Dean spoke for them and they idolized him. He still deserves his icon status, because of the unforgettable character he created. When he cried to his parents, "You're tearing me apart!" you believed it was real. He was the epitome of the cool rebel.
Almost fifty years later, the character created by James Dean still rings true. They say a thing of beauty is a joy forever. That applies both to James Dean and this movie. A must-see classic film.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Jay
Format:DVD
Brilliant cast of well-known Hollywood icons in hard-hitting treatment of story that focuses on the hopelessness exhibited by many middle-class teenagers who were too young to recall the pains of WWII, but saw daily reminders of the threat of "the bomb", as well as inequities around them.
James Dean stands out as the troubled kid whose parents keep "moving" to escape their community's effects of their son's strange behavior. Equally great are the performances of Natalie Wood as a "wanna-be-bad-girl" who is hurt by her parents' implications that she is a "tramp"; and the child-like Sal Mineo, who lives in a mansion with a maid, but feels the pains of neglect from never-present parents.
The trio first meet at a police station, where they all see a well-meaning officer who is genuinely interested in getting these troubled kids back on the right track rather than throwing the book at them. He does seem to reach James Dean, who seeks help after getting into more trouble.
The relationship between the James Dean character and that of Sal Mineo is somewhat elusive. At times a more than friendly association is suggested, then the appearance of Natalie Wood makes it look like an odd threesome. 1950s America was definitely unprepared for any "spelling out" of suggested terms, so for nearly 50 years now anyone's guess as to what was going on here is as good as the next.
Rebel Without A Cause is one of the great classics with a sociological impact that has seldom been reached by any film, and likely never surpassed
James Dean stands out as the troubled kid whose parents keep "moving" to escape their community's effects of their son's strange behavior. Equally great are the performances of Natalie Wood as a "wanna-be-bad-girl" who is hurt by her parents' implications that she is a "tramp"; and the child-like Sal Mineo, who lives in a mansion with a maid, but feels the pains of neglect from never-present parents.
The trio first meet at a police station, where they all see a well-meaning officer who is genuinely interested in getting these troubled kids back on the right track rather than throwing the book at them. He does seem to reach James Dean, who seeks help after getting into more trouble.
The relationship between the James Dean character and that of Sal Mineo is somewhat elusive. At times a more than friendly association is suggested, then the appearance of Natalie Wood makes it look like an odd threesome. 1950s America was definitely unprepared for any "spelling out" of suggested terms, so for nearly 50 years now anyone's guess as to what was going on here is as good as the next.
Rebel Without A Cause is one of the great classics with a sociological impact that has seldom been reached by any film, and likely never surpassed
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The film that made James Dean an icon. Centered around his character, Jim, the story shadows how the troubled teenager feel's he can do no right as he mixes with the wrong 'friends', meet's Catch 22 situations, and faces a wrath of danger as his world is seemingly fighting back at him from all corners. Confiding with Judy (Natalie Wood), and looking after a young boy named Plato, the three bond briefly as a small unit, rebelling against the conventional nature of being a 'teen' and learning to love one-another.
From start to finish, the film is flawless in its depiction of confusion and insecurity. More importantly, it provides some answers as to why teenagers suffered these symptoms, and the cost of making choices for the benefit of others, only to realise that you will always lose and never gain. For me, the best scene in the film see's Jim and Judy lying on a bed in the abandoned Mansion. Judy asks what Jim thinks a girl looks for in a guy. While he suggests "a man", she corrects him buy saying all they want is someone sincere and gentle. This is such a fantastic observation on the confusion as to what it takes to be accepted by the other sex, and the requirements each felt were needed in order to be liked.
Given that this was released in 1955, Rebel was a truly ambitious feat in that centered from the teenagers point of view with a brutal nature rather than looking down on them as 'juvenile delinquents'. What's more, it makes the viewer sympathetic for the main characters - Jim, Judy and Plato, without once stopping to understand why. The film is more ever more important now for learning that while the 'teenager' has changed at face value since the films release, they still remain the same, insecure person inside.
From start to finish, the film is flawless in its depiction of confusion and insecurity. More importantly, it provides some answers as to why teenagers suffered these symptoms, and the cost of making choices for the benefit of others, only to realise that you will always lose and never gain. For me, the best scene in the film see's Jim and Judy lying on a bed in the abandoned Mansion. Judy asks what Jim thinks a girl looks for in a guy. While he suggests "a man", she corrects him buy saying all they want is someone sincere and gentle. This is such a fantastic observation on the confusion as to what it takes to be accepted by the other sex, and the requirements each felt were needed in order to be liked.
Given that this was released in 1955, Rebel was a truly ambitious feat in that centered from the teenagers point of view with a brutal nature rather than looking down on them as 'juvenile delinquents'. What's more, it makes the viewer sympathetic for the main characters - Jim, Judy and Plato, without once stopping to understand why. The film is more ever more important now for learning that while the 'teenager' has changed at face value since the films release, they still remain the same, insecure person inside.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rebel without a cause
A timeless tale of teenage angst, hadn't seen it for years but the message is still the same. Good film.
Published 4 months ago by Caroline Holloway
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well priced!!
This was a little gift for my sister who loves James Dean, we havent watched it yet but it was really well priced. Delivered quickly too.
Published 4 months ago by V. Fryer-Kelsey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie and product!
I really like this movie, it wasn't what I expected from it but it surprised me in a good way. I am happy with the purchase and I enjoyed the casting. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ellinor
5.0 out of 5 stars
James Dean Has Created An Icon For A Generation Adrift,
n one of cinemas most influential, and gripping, roles, James Dean plays Jim Stark, the new kid in town whose loneliness, frustration and anger mirrored those of most postwar teens... Read more
Published 13 months ago by S. F. husseiny
5.0 out of 5 stars
He had some future that James Dean
In this film James Dean is quite convincing as an actor and his part is perfect. A difficult part in that trinity of J, Jim (for James), Judy and John, in one letter Jesus three... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Jacques COULARDEAU
5.0 out of 5 stars
a must see.
This is James Dean at his best. Definitely a must see, a dive in the 50s and in something that never died. Could be today, but for car models and music. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Lorenzo Romagnoli
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great buy
This was a great purchase. I didnt know much about James Dean, but since watching Rebel without a cause it has made me look at the work James Dean did. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Rachel D
4.0 out of 5 stars
What a buy
The DVD was cheap, P&P was next to nothing so for a low price i got the film and a bonous DVD with 2 i think documentarys and screen and wardrobe test which was interesting, so... Read more
Published 24 months ago by George
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cause for concern
Having come to this legendary/cult movie rather late, I was eager to see whether it lived up to the hype. Read more
Published on 5 Jan 2011 by Scaroth, Last of the Jagaroth
4.0 out of 5 stars
`Rebel without a cause` review
I remember my dad saying to me more than twenty years ago to watch this movie as it is a classic teen movie and I had an urge to see it again recently (I had been doing some... Read more
Published on 18 April 2009 by A. Milton
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