JAMES DEAN-COMPLETE COLLECTION (DVD/3PK/6 DISC/EAST/GIANT/REBEL)

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Product Description

The Complete James Dean Collection includes two-disc special editions of the three major films Dean made during his meteoric career: East of Eden (1955, never before available on DVD), Rebel Without a Cause (1955), and Giant (1956). In addition to new transfers, the films collect new and vintage documentaries, commentary tracks, publicity materials, and even the infamous "Drive Safely" commercial spot Dean filmed shortly before his death in an auto accident.

East of Eden is an acknowledged classic, and the starring debut of James Dean lifts it to legendary status. John Steinbeck's novel gave director Elia Kazan a perfect Cain-and-Abel showcase for Dean's iconic screen persona, casting the brooding star as Cal, the younger of two brothers vying for the love of their Bible-thumping father (Raymond Massey) in Monterey, California, at the dawn of World War I. Massey is a lettuce farmer, striving for market domination with an ill-fated refrigeration scheme. Having discovered that his presumed-dead mother (Oscar winner Jo Van Fleet) is a brothel owner in nearby Salinas, Cal convinces her to finance an investment that will restore his father's lost fortune, but neither money nor the tenderness of his brother's fiancée (Julie Harris) can assuage Cal's anguished need for paternal acceptance that comes nearly too late. Kazan's oblique camera angles and Dean's tortured emoting may seem extreme by latter-day standards, but their theatrics make East of Eden a timeless tale of family secrets and hard-won affection.

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 & 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.

Giant got its name because everything in the picture is big, from the generous running time (more than 200 minutes) to the sprawling ranch location (a horizon-to-horizon plain with a lonely, modest mansion dropped in the middle) to the high-powered stars. Stocky Rock Hudson stars as the confident, stubborn young ranch baron Bick Benedict, who woos and wins the hand of Southern belle Elizabeth Taylor, a seemingly demure young beauty who proves to be Hudson's match after she settles into the family homestead. For many the film is chiefly remembered for James Dean's final performance, as poor former ranch hand Jett Rink, who strikes oil and transforms himself into a flamboyant millionaire playboy. Director George Stevens won his second Oscar for this ambitious, grandly realized (if sometimes slow moving) epic of the changing socioeconomic (and physical) landscape of modern Texas, based on Edna Ferber's bestselling novel. The talented supporting cast includes Mercedes McCambridge as Bick's frustrated sister, put out by the new "woman of the house"; Chill Wills as the Benedicts' garrulous rancher neighbor; Carroll Baker and Dennis Hopper as the Benedicts' rebellious children; and Earl Holliman and Sal Mineo as dedicated ranch hands.

• Actors: James Dean
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
• ISBN: 1419805010
• Language (Original Language): English
• Region Code: 1
• Release Date: 2005-05-31
• Running Time: 430 minutes
• Theatrical Release Date: 1955-04-10

Customer Reviews

Reviewed on 2008-07-24 The Rebel who went East of Eden and became a Giant The Complete James Dean Collection is one of the best sets I've ever had pleasure to see. It is a loving tribute to one of the brightest stars of American cinema and culture in general who tragically died in a car accident at the age of 24 after only starring in three films. The performances he gave made one only imagine how far Dean could've gone and what heights he would've achieved in his profession. First of all, Marlon Brando and Paul Newman would have had a match and a competition, and it would have resulted in many more great movies with unforgettable performances. I also was thinking that maybe J.D Salinger would've changed his mind and allowed The Catcher in the Rye been adapted to the screen. I believe Dean was the only actor ever who would not have just played Holden Caulfield, he was Holden. Dean could have been Hamlet, Gatsby - anything seemed to be possible for him. He possessed the charming sense of humor. Just remember his scene with Abra (Julie Harris) in his very first movie, East of Eden where Harris confesses in having thrown a very expensive ring to the water out of anger at her father, and the ring was never found. Dean smiles with his truly magic smile and says, "Good!" The scene makes me smile and breaks my heart at the same time. Once again, as the ancient myth says, "those whom the gods love die young". Dean had made three movies only but they all belong to the best of the 50s and they have their place in the history of movies. With this set, each picture comes digitally remastered on 2 discs including multiple commentaries, interesting documentaries, interviews, screen tests, trailers, and more. The set includes Dean's star making debut, "The East of Eden", the movie that made him a timeless idol, "The Rebel without the Cause" and the last one where he shared the screen with Rock Hudson and Liz Taylor, "The Giant". All three are fabulous, and Dean is incredible in all with his vulnerability, charisma, screen presence, and talent.

Reviewed on 2008-06-12 James Dean Collection I'm a huge James Dean fan. When I was in LA and went to the observatory I could not believe I was walking where he had. This collection exceeded my expectations. The extra CD's to each move were just want I wanted. The one associated with East of Eden was my favorite. If you are a fan you will be happy with this. If you have not been exposed to him this is the best and you get all three extra's about him the making of the films, other performers and people who knew him talking about knowing him, and working with him. I am so happy I ordered this and what a future he could have had if he had lived. He would only have gotten better in time. It was said that had he lived that Brando would have had true completion. I am a fan of Method acting and he put himself body and soul into his characters. Irreplaceable.

Reviewed on 2008-01-21 James Dean Collection The product received was what I had expected and wanted. I am very pleased

Reviewed on 2008-01-18 Great value for a great boxed set! I love this set. It contains all 3 of James Dean's major films plus very interesting commentaries from those who knew and worked with him. A must-have for anyone who appreciates this rare talent who died so tragically young.

Reviewed on 2008-01-01 Perfect for the James Dean Fan Looking for a gift for my daughter I came across this collection. She says it is the most perfect James Dean item. Extra features on top of the movies.

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