Rebel Without a Cause (Two-Disc Special Edition)
by Nicholas Ray
List Price:
Our Price: $9.97
You Save: $17.01 (63%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $8.00 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ann Doran, James Dean, Jim Backus, Natalie Wood, Sal MineoDirector: Nicholas Ray
Brand: Rebel
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 1.0
Format: AC-3, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.55:1
Running Time: 111 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-05-31
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Movie Reviews of Rebel Without a Cause (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Movie Review: DEAN LAMENTS THROUGH THE WORLD'S MOST STRESSFUL 1st DAY OF SCHOOL
Summary: 5 Stars
FIRST REACTION:
WOW!
WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?:
Basically, James Dean is the new boy on the block and it is not the first time. He seems to have some family issues and they are driving him insane. He wants to be a good boy, really, but it has not worked out that way and he really wants all the hurting to end. Jimbo [James Dean] just can't reconcile the dynamics of his family, with his father wearing an apron and agreeing to whatever his always-talking-and-never-listening mother has to say. He wants his father to stand up for him and for himself, but Dad [played by Jim Backus] just doesn't seem to have it in him.
The first school night eve ends with a stop at the police station for our 3 teen leads, and it all seemed so senseless. I guess some things never change.
JIM'S 1st DAY AT SCHOOL:
Deans first day at school turned out to be quite a convulsive experience and Dean quickly teamed up with an interesting bunch of estranged youth. Sal Mineo as Plato suffered from the neglect of an absent mother and father while Jim floundered at the hands of ineffectual parents. Judy [Natalie Wood] was burdened by a pathologically repressed father who held his son on his lap playfully while he slapped at Judy for trying to do the same thing, stating that she was a tramp for doing it. Essentially, all of the film's parents are depicted as conformists to the values of 1950s, while at the same time harboring their own anger and discontent.
That backdrop led to the ridiculous and tragic altercation between Jim and Buzz that culminated in a fatal game of chicken that evening. Jim's father [Jim Backus] just wasn't there to answer Jim when he needed answers, with blood oozing out of little knife wounds on his torso, about a question of honor.
After the chicken eposode calamity, Buzz's gang somehow held Jim responsible for the death of their leader who literally sailed off a cliff in a stolen car because his jacket sleeve got caught on the door handle. This only served to escalate the nightmare, while Judy and Jim ironically were getting better acquainted.
JIM'S FIRST NIGHT:
Without stating the whole plot, let's just say that despite his efforts to the contrary, Jim was directly, though not criminally involved, in the violent deaths of two of his classmates.
BOTTOM LINE:
At the end of their first full day, Jim and Judy's situation seemed well on the way toward a possible mending. Plato's situation was settled in a final way, so to speak, though not happily, an example of what absentee parenting ultimately brings, whereas Jim's parents, though ineffectual are seemingly on the verge of an epiphany of sorts. Mother seems almost ready to listen and dad is ready to take off the apron and stand by his troubled son. This time they not going to move away. They are going to stay and face their issues and, for the first time, have a chance to work through things. And Judy's parents? ---- We'll see!
AN INTERESTING UNDERLYING TWIST:
It seemed in the last scene as though Plato was looking to Jim and Judy to act as parents to him while at the same time Jim seemed determined to be there for Plato when he really needed a friend in exactly the same way he wanted his father [Jim Backus] to be there for him earlier that evening. In that context, the movie ended with a tone of hope for the families involved and through them perhaps for us all in a way, for perhaps hope is there if we at least keep trying.
ABOUT THE DVD:
This is the 2-DVD set. DISC 1 has the movie in WIDESCREEN 2.55:1 - "Digital Transfer from a Restored Picture" - Commentary by the Author, Douglas L. Rathgeb, Theatrical Trailer, English or French Language, English, French, Spanish Subtitles.
DISC 2 has "New 50th Anniversary Documentary, "Rebel Without A Cause: Defiant Innocents", Vintage Documentary- "James Dean Remembered", Additional Scenes [without sound], "Drive Safely" TV commercial + Rare Screen Tests and Wardrobe Tests.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
WOW! Perhaps in time I will be able to write a more meaningful review worthy of such a truly amazing and influential cinematic powerhouse.
Similar DVD Movies
Splendor in the GrassWarner Brothers; Release date: 2009-02-03; DVD
Best price: $7.15
Price in other shops:
Blackboard JungleWarner Brothers; Release date: 2005-05-10; DVD
Best price: $10.95
Price in other shops:
CasablancaWarner; Release date: 2010-02-02; DVD
Best price: $4.45
Price in other shops:
Easy Rider (Special Edition)Sony; Release date: 1999-12-07; DVD
Best price: $7.94
Price in other shops:
The GraduateBANCROFT,ANNE; Release date: 2005-04-05; Published: 2005-04-01; DVD
Best price: $6.33
Price in other shops:
The Wild OneBRANDO,MARLON; Release date: 1998-11-10; DVD
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
On the Waterfront (Special Edition)Sony; Release date: 2001-10-23; Published: 2001-10-01; DVD
Best price: $9.47
Price in other shops:
East of Eden (Two-Disc Special Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2005-05-31; DVD
Best price: $5.24
Price in other shops:
A Streetcar Named Desire (Two-Disc Special Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2006-05-02; DVD
Best price: $6.98
Price in other shops:
Giant (Two-Disc Special Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2005-05-31; DVD
Best price: $8.94
Price in other shops: