Customer Reviews

East of Eden

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is by far the best version of Steinbeck's "East of Eden" ever made; far, far better than the superficial James Dean version, which was little more than a vehicle for the then popular teen idol. (Contrary to all the Hollywood hype I never thought much of Dean as an actor.)

Steinbeck has always been my favorite American novelist; and "East of Eden" is, in my opinion, his finest work - superior even to "The Grapes of Wrath." It is a substantive and timeless work, in which Steinbeck transcends his earlier novels, bounded as they are by his conception of the nobility of the poor. Here, in "East of Eden" he goes beyond his earlier sociological obsessions with poverty, exploitation and radical politics to explore somthing much deeper: character, the essence of good and evil, betrayal and guilt. This is a book of Biblical proportions, based on the story of Cain and Abel; and the meaning of God's pronouncement upon Cain.

All of which is captured beautifully in this TV mini series; just as it is ignored, overlooked or simply not grasped in the James Dean movie. Needless to say this version is true to Steinbeck's conception. And the many memorable performances by the cast - Jane Seymour, Timothy Bottoms, Bruce Boxleiter, Lloyd Bridges, Soon-Tek Oh, Sam Bottoms, Hart Bochner, Karen Allen -(a number of which I can still visualize in my mind 25 years later) bring clarity to the meaning of Steinbeck's story - something one can rarely say about contemporary Hollywood acting.

A movie not to be missed.

I never thought I would read a better book than the Grapes of Wrath, then I read East of Eden. I immediately ran out to get the movie and was so disappointed. Then I saw the mini-series and it was wonderful. Usually, these made for TV things don't work, but I have been trying to find it for years and was thrilled that it mimicked the book almost perfectly. The movie is haunting, beautifully done, and something that you will never forget. The original movie does absolutely no justice to this novel. This tape will keep you so absorbed, troubled and in tune with what is good and what is evil.

I am very happy to see that some of those wonderful mini-series that TV once upon a time used to be able to make, such as "Roots", "The Winds of War" and "North and South", have actually made it to DVD.

But unfortunately this one, which I also consider to be right up there among the very best I have ever seen, seems to have been totally forgotten by everyone (--well maybe not by the fans, but by everyone making those all-important marketing decisions as to what gets released and what doesn't).

All I ever see anywhere is the so-so James Dean movie which only covers part of the Steinbeck book. Yeah, yeah, so Dean is a cultural icon like Marilyn and Elvis and they figure his name alone will make it sell. But why not release this one as well? It deserves to be released for another very good reason: QUALITY!!

Forget Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. THIS is the role that Jane Seymour deserves to be remembered for. She proved to doubters once and for all that she truly CAN act. It's a pity that younger viewers have never had the opportunity to see what I consider to be her finest performance ever.

So I send out a loud HELLOOOO~ to the marketing geniuses out there in DVD-makerland to try and wake them up and remind them of the greatness of this wonderfully sprawling mini-series. Yes there ARE people out here who remember it well and can't wait to see it again. Come on DVD-making people. Give us the FULL mini-series, uncut and remastered.

And after that, how about "Rich Man, Poor Man", "Captains and Kings", "Roots: The Next Generations" and "Centennial"? Ahh, I sure do miss those glory days of the heyday of the TV mini-series...

I had to read the book, "East of Eden," for an English class, and I absolutely loved it! That's why, when I saw this movie at the public library in my hometown of Lynchburg Tennessee, I just had to rent it. I had watched the James Dean version of the movie, and was extremely disappointed, because so much was left out. However, this miniseries adaptation is wonderful! Jayne Seymour does a superb job of portraying Cathy, the manipulative and seductive villaness. Whoever directed this movie had obviously read the book thoroughly, because of how closely the vidio followed it. I would thoroughly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys true adaptations of classic novels, and who wants to listen to a story that will melt the heart.

...especially for American TV. The 6-hour version is one of the most complete adaptations of a novel, ranking with the better BBC adaptations, like WAR & PEACE or I, CLAUDIUS. Also: the James Dean version covers the last 1/16th of the story in this one, a book Steinbeck meant as an attempt to structure American history along the Old Testament. See the other if you like Dean; see this for an adaptation of the book. Jane Seymour here, BTW, has never been so wicked & sexy; a great villainess. One of my favorite re-watchers.

This was one of the most powerful movies during this time period. The whole cast was great but Jane was SUPERB!! She deserved an OSCAR or an nomination for her role.
I love this movie. I would love to see it again.
I have been looking for this version for years, but all I keep hearing about is James Dean's version, when all I want to see is Jane's version.
I would recommend this movie to anyone, especially if they are dealing with a lesson about sibling rivalry ( CAIN & ABEL) and how the same fate does not have to occur. This (movie/book) could be a good debate on good vs evil and who actually wins and at what cost.

I recently read East of eden by john steinbeck and loved it, inmediately i went to my local video store and found the james dean movie from 1955, i was totally dissapointed that such a great book had been turned into such a bad movie, a few months later i saw a broadcast of the miniseries with jane seymour and was amazed at how well the book had been adapted , finally they got it right, but to my surprise this miniseries is not available for rent or sale anywhere, i just wish they would release this on dvd so that the american public can see this masterpiece in all it's glory

Sure, the original theatrical film made a star of James Dean, but this miniseries adaptation showcased the star power talents of Jane Seymour in the role of "Kathy," mother of the character portrayed by Dean in the fifties classic. Miss Seymour is superb as the wickedly determined woman who abandons husband (Timothy Bottoms) and children (with Sam Bottoms in the Dean part) for her own pursuits. She stops at nothing to get her way, giving up respectability for a career as a madam.

Great support comes from Warren Oates, Lloyd Bridges and Soon-Tek-Oh as a faithful and intelligent Chinese manservant whose wisdom and insight far exceeds those around him. See this one and you'll forget the wholesome "Dr. Quinn" that Seymour later portrayed in the series of the same name.

..This mini-series is just sensational...and I only have it on
one of STARMAKERS 'all on one vhs tape' releases...even dingy
and scratchy it is great. Jane Seymour and EVERYONE in it just
bring it to life. Jane is the most wicked woman you are ever likely to see (Cathy)...but the whole thing really captures
the book...and it is a great book...Anyway...ANCHOR BAY..PLEASE
come through with a dvd release of this nearly forgotten classic...and get Jane Seymour to go on Jay Leno and plug it so people know it is available. You would be doing all of us out here a great service. Thanks

This 6-hour long tape is not going to stop once you press play. You might rewind for a few instant replays, but you won't be able to do anything until you finish watching.

I was skeptical at first, thinking this was going to be some romantic hogwash intended for women only. But low and behold, Steinbeck's fiction proved as superior as they say. Add to that the youthful Seymour, who'll leave you wanting to see more, and it's genuine entertainment. Today's TV shows pale in comparison.

Many of the characters deserve applause. The old well-digger, the feuding brothers, the philosophical Chinaman/pretend simpleton... they all mesh into quite a team. It's a memorable production, and first-rate drama.