Customer Reviews

Rebel Without a Cause (Two-Disc Special Edition)

5 star:		(97)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This review refers to the Warner Bros DVD release of "Rebel Without a Cause"......

After nearly 50 years from it's release in 1955, this is a film that still truley embodies the feelings of teenage angst.The three teens that this story revolves around are played powerfully by James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo.It's not just about how the kids deal with the problems that life hands them but about the parents as well.

Jim Stark(Dean) is the newcomer to the neighborhood. The family is always moving around seemingly due to Jim's inability to stay out of trouble. The parents(Jim Backus/Ann Doran) may be at the core of Jim's problems.There's a great scene at the police station, where the parents are arguing(as usual) over what's right for the boy and Jim sums up the whole event by crying out, as only James Dean could do.."You're tearing me apart".

Judy(Wood),very cool and part of 'The in-crowd" comes from what seems to be a typical middle-class family, but underneath there are problems galore.At 16, Judy longs for the affection her father(William Hopper) gave her as a little girl, but he seems to be confused by her impending womanhood and pushes her away both emotionally and phyically. Judy does whatever she can to gain her father's attention.

Perhaps the most deeply troubled of all is John "Plato" Crawford(Mineo) who comes from a well off family but they are never around to care for him or about him. He is cared for by his well meaning housekeeper/nurse played brillantly by Marietta Canty.

Trouble once again finds Jim on his very first day of school, which erupts in a knife fight that is so beautifully acted and directed it takes on the look of an exquiste dance,and ends with a tragic car race.The parents seem to be of no help in the dilemna. Jim, Judy and Plato find each other in their loneliness and form a makeshift family of their own, that also is beset with some devastating results.

Beautifully directed by Nicholas Ray(Johnny Gutiar/The Flying Leathernecks), watching this film again was like finding a buried treasure in a time capsule. It is a story, that will always have meaning as although the times(and types of problems) may change, people really don't.These young brillant actors had an on screen chemistry and charisma that is unsurpassed. I also want to make mention of Edward Platt, who played the empathetic Juvenile Officer, Corey Allen as "Buzz"(Dean's rival), and also look for Dennis Hopper in an early role as one of "The kids".

Warner Brothers has done a superb transfer of this 48 year old film. It has been restored, looks brand new, and is presented in the original widescreen. The sound was also terrific in the remastered Dolby Digital 5.1. There are some excellent special features to peruse. Behind the scene documentaries which were actually filmed around the time of the making of "Rebel" enables us to see interviews with the stars. There is one with James Dean not only talking about the film, but advising young people to "Drive Safely"! You will also see the screen tests and learn where that toy monkey came from in the opening scene.

If it's a film you already know you love, you will love the DVD. If you haven't seen it, whether you are a teen or an adult, you will be moved by this story and it's a must have for your classic DVD collection.

Thanks and enjoy.....Laurie

I agree this movie was a great talent launch for Dean, Salminio,and especially Natalie Wood. Most reviewerers see this as a great movie "Vehicle" for Dean and Salminio. Natalie Wood takes a "back seat" view in this movie...She will for ever be my most favortite movie star of all time. Its interesting that all three had a short, violent death...Dean in his famous car wreck, Salminio Stabed, still in his early years, and Natalie a mysterious drowning which details were never fully disclosed...fell in the water, Drowned...end of story. But after this movie she went on to make wounderful movies..Her emotional talent range was fantastic! Natalie and Elizabeth Taylor, whom had a close reseblance, I heard, their identy was often confused by vieweres in that era. Of course Taylors..wild public life, placed HER in the main spotlight. But next time you see this movie try to see the emotion and depth that Natalie put into it. They didnt have "Ensemble Catagorie" for the Academy Awards back then, but they shure had my vote....I didnt get into the details of this movie because if you havent seen it, the reviews are a plenty.... Just wanted to share my view on Nataile Wood, short bright flame to soon extinguished.

Released soon after James Dean's death, in the same year in which East of Eden also appeared, this film immediately attracted and rewarded great interest and has continued to do so. Part of its appeal is explained by the fact that Dean died instantaneously in a violent car crash, Natalie Wood drowned, Sal Mineo was stabbed to death, and Nick Adams overdosed on prescription drugs. Their premature deaths enrich even more the poignancy of their roles as teenage rebels "without a cause." Actually, much of their behavior is explained by their unhappiness in their dysfunctional families. Jim Stark (Dean) feels smothered by his parents who move from one town to another, hoping that he will finally "find himself." Judy Hopper (Wood) desperately needs love from a father (William Hopper) who is unwilling and/or unable to provide it. Plato (Mineo) seems to have no contact whatsoever with his parents. Meanwhile, Judy eagerly agrees to be gang leader Buzz Gunderson's "trophy girlfriend." After his death, she shifts her attention to Jim. They and Plato briefly become a "family of three," in one scene in an abandoned mansion even pretending (albeit satirically) to be father, mother, and son. (FYI, the set in which this scene was shot is alleged to have appeared earlier in Sunset Boulevard as Norma Desmond's mansion.) All of the film's action occurs within a 24-hour time period, beginning in a police station and ending with police also involved because....

Nicholas Ray directed Rebel Without a Cause and also co-authored the script. Working with an exceptionally talented cast, he succeeded so well with evoking great performances from that cast that Dean, Wood, and Mineo have since become icons for teenage malaise. They brood, they pout, they withdraw, they whine, they whimper, while feeling totally misunderstood by adults. They especially resent their parents' inability to "get it" even without knowing what that "it" is.

I saw this film again recently, again impressed by the quality of the acting but, probably inevitably, much of the film now seems dated to me even as it retains much of its innocence. Some scenes remain quite vivid, such as when Judy stands proudly out in the field, bathed in automobile headlights, before "officially" starting the "Chickie Run" contest; also when Jim urges his Mitty-like father (Jim Backus) to stand up to his (Mr. Stark's) badger-like wife (Ann Doran). It is probably not realistic to expect young people in relatively comfortable circumstances to have a "cause" except to be accepted, respected, and loved on their own terms. This is a "classic" of sorts. When seeing it now, I have the feeling that I have opened a time capsule from 1955 and the film is among the items contained in it.

This is a great film that ultimately is about families and their inability to communicate. Just like the more modern tv drama "The O.C." this film shows that behind the clean facade of rich, well-to-do neighbourhoods lies the broken pieces of parents who are unable to relate to their children who in turn end up looking for this missing love and understanding in all the wrong places with violent and destructive effects.

Dean's character is ashamed of his father who in his eyes is hen-pecked and cowardly and he insists upon good answers from his father as to why he is feeling the typical hormone-induced depression that most teenagers go through and when that is not forthcoming, he rebels in an attempt to hurt his parents. Wood's character is similar in that she also has communication problems with her father who is uncomfortable with physical closeness now that his daughter has become an attractive teen perhaps in an over-reaction to his own incestual desires? Confused at his behaviour Wood's character believes her father hates her and so she too rebels in an attempt to hurt him. Mineo's character is the most pitiful and perhaps most deserving of sympathy; his parents are divorced and they truly appear not to care about him at all leaving him alone with a live-in maid as sole companion. This film is truly touching for me as I can personally relate based upon my own experiences growing up with many of the issues portrayed here.

The dvd is also a treat as the bonus features contains a couple of good behind-the-scenes documentaries and except for a few minutes at the start, the picture quality is very good and the sound quality has been remastered very well in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround making this the best old movie picture and sound quality-wise that I've seen on dvd to date.

A very good film and a very good dvd version of it; highly recommended!

One of the most iconic films of the 1950s, Nicholas Ray's "Rebel" was the movie that cemented James Dean's reputation as the embodiment of the restless, disillusioned teen. Hyped as a story of juvenile delinquency, "Rebel" questions the suffocating complacency and conservatism of mid-century American society with raw force. Fresh from his debut in "East of Eden," Dean is explosive as the brooding, misunderstood Jim, his performance equalling Brando for its moody intensity, while Wood, Mineo, and Jim Backus (as Dean's spineless father) make stellar additions to a superb cast.

A classic movie that mirrors the time when the United States was in the midst of prosperty following World War II. After years of rationing goods, Americans were buying washing machines, televisions, and cars. True, the Communist scare and the war in Korea marred all the good news, but there was something underneath all the happy families living in the suburbs with pink bathrooms or bedrooms. Teenagers were looking for something more relevant in their lives. Reble Without A Cause reflected what appeared to be teenage angst but these feelings are what swelled into the rebellion and demonstrations of the 60s.
The two disc DVD has good information about the making of this movie with cast and production people. It is a sad irony that the three leads died too soon.

"Rebel Without A Cause" is one of the finest films ever created. The story is about a troubled youth that seeks redemption and a sense security through his family, but when they fail to do that he seeks comfort through friendship. James Dean, Natalie Woods, and the rest of the cast are great in this film, so it's no wonder why this movie is a classic. With great scenes like the chicken run car race or the arguements James has with his parents, you'll never want to turn off the T.V. The direction for this film seemed very powerful and had you in suspense throughout the film. One moment you'll be sad at some of James Dean's struggles in the movie, but then you'll be happy at some of his more happy scenes in the film. I think many of today's youth can identify with Dean's character, so making it that much more of a powerful film. Although the film does seem a bit paced at time, it doesn't ruin the experience. Overall, if you like movies, then you'll love this one.

To the reviewer who asked if there is a Two-Disc Edition DVD coming: Yes, a Two-Disc SE is coming out on May 31st 2005!

What can be said about a film that is one of the most influential classics ever made? PLENTY!     "Rebel without a cause" is still a timeless masterpiece. Kids of today can still relate to it's basic premise,  of youth misunderstood.. .of wanting to belong..  The clothes,  hair,  and times may have changed,  but the story of 3 teens,  bonding as the world around them seems to cave-in,  is just as potent today as it was in 1955. James Dean delivers a knock-out performance,  as Jim Stark. It's his first day at a new high school. Only,  this time,  he wants to do things the right way: A troubled past,  his parents avoid problems by simply moving. On this day,  Jim truly wants things to be different for good. The night before wasn't great!. Arrested for public intoxication,  his parents,  perhaps the first glimpse of a "dysfunctional" family on screen,  hardly know how to handle the situation: Mom is overbearing,  self-centered and constantly ruling over anything his father has to say. His dad is a lilly-livered man with good intentions,  but Jim needs guidance. He begs for it,  in his rebellion. At the police station,  among the other teens in trouble,  is Judy (played by the gorgeous,  Natalie Wood). Judy has similar problems with her parents. Her father actually slapped her for kissing him on the cheek! All Judy wants is to feel loved.                              Also at the jail,  is John "Plato",  played to perfection by Sal Mineo (Nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor). When we first meet Plato,  he is being questioned why he shot a bunch of puppies,  a horrifying way to introduce a character,  but somehow,  Mineo makes us care about Plato,  a rich kid with tons of problems: His dad disappeared,  and his mom is always away on trips,  leaving him to be cared for by the family maid. Plato is looking for somebody to be his friend,  or family. And by the end of 24 hours,  these 3 will make their own tightly knit little circle. After a rough start in school,  Jim finds trouble during a field trip at "Griffith Park Observatory" with a bunch of rough kids,  including Judy,  who runs with the wrong crowd. Jim meets Plato at the Observatory,  who warns him not to "monkey with" them. But,  the kids are dead-set on causing Jim trouble,  and before we know it,  Buzz,  the leader of the gang,  forces Jim into a knife-fight.. Jim,  Judy,  and Plato form a kind of "family",(and it's obvious Plato has a crush on Jimmy,possiby the first gay teen in cinema history)  and end up hiding out at a deserted mansion near the Observatory,  as the gang searches for them,  as well as the police. In Jim,  Judy finds a young man who she can truly love...And Plato finds a buddy he always has wished for.. ..  The performances are so gut wrenching,  and real,  you cannot help but feel their pain.. .When Plato screams out,  "save me" holding a gun, as the gang closes in, you cannot help but feel his pain. These 3 not only make you care for them, but you can almost "feel" their agony. "Rebel" is not just the tale of teens trying to fit-in. It is also about friendship.. it's about loyalty.. integrity, and the basic need to feel loved. That is what makes this movie so potent. That is why generation after generation have discovered, and embraced "Rebel". Times have changed, but human emotions haven't: We all long for human interaction, and companionship. And for 24 hours, at least, this family of 3 found it.  We should all be so lucky.

This exceptional movie probably deserves even more of a cult status than it already has. Most people, when they think of RWC, remember it only as one of the few examples we have of James Dean's eerie charisma; but it's also an entertaining and powerful film, well written and acted, and the credit for the lasting impression of Dean's character should go as much to the filmmakers as to Dean himself (not that Dean himself doesn't deserve bales and bales of credit).

Today, a lot of elements of RWC might seem obvious; the generational gap in more apparent now than ever, and the attemps of children to compensate for a lack of parental attention has been a common theme for decades. Not only, though, should you consider that the film was groundbreaking when it was released, but what it has to _say_ about the issues between children and their parents is more relevant today than ever. The script deserves credit mainly for a couple of reasons:

1) The film doesn't have that 'made by kids' feel that's afflicted a lot of more recent movies about kids, such as Better Luck Tomorrow. It has a definite sense of perspective, as in the scene where Jim's father tells him: 'I'm trying to show you how foolish you are!--Ten years from now, this won't mean anything; you'll look back on it and laugh!' In a way, he's right, but that doesn't make Jim's feelings or the problems facing him any less urgent at the moment.

2) The kids in RWC are smart, and they have personalities beyond basic love-starved psychosis. Buzz, especially, is a surprisingly fully-drawn character, and some of Dean's best moments as Jim come when he's doing innocent things, like jumping up behind the fence to get Judy's attention. Finally, the scene in which Jim, Judy and Plato parody adult behavior is especially incisive and especially relevant today - kids are, in many ways, shrewder than they're given credit for, and their eyes are open.

3) There are moments of overacting (Jim shouting: "You're tearing me apart!"), but there's understatement too. At the beginning, for example, after Jim's father complains that he's bought everything for his son, and the audience is ready to write him off as ignorant and materialistic, he immediatley adds that he's shown Jim love and affection too - which may not be entirely true, but he's shown as being more than just a stock Bad Parent.

4) Things like 'no stab' knife fights and racing with stolen cars might seem almost tame by modern standards, but the display of self-destructive behavior in RWC still has some emotional power. The kids may doing things which kids today would consider silly, but their attitudes are sometimes genuinely frightening. Again Buzz is a great character. The gang mentality, too, with its shifting attitudes and its effect on personality, is very striking and very accurate.


In an era when parents seem to be trying harder than ever to understand their children, the problems have really remained the same. The consequences today might be more severe, but psychology and the human thrist for love are timeless, and RWC may well be timeless. In fact, beyond still being relevant, the film is an effective antidote to modern films which glorify and enshrine adolescent problems, when many of these things are just as pathetic, in the end, as a boy whose socks don't match.

This movie will never lose its place in movie history, a true classic with great actors that are truly missed and taken from us at their early ages, James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo. I love this movie for its 50's style of teenage upbringing. The times have changed a bit, but the rebelness of teenagers has not. It was great to go back in time and watch the clothing and cars. James Dean, superb, Natalie Wood, innocent yet a wild teen, Sal Mineo, the shy young teen who idolizes his friend James Dean.