WOW! This movie is amazing!!! I honestly didn't know how much this movie affected me until after I watched it because it has been just over 2 weeks now and I am still thinking about it. The ending especially was so heartbreaking and tense and man James Dean delivered!! Thanks for watching! Have a great day! :)
Sal Mineo and Natalie Wood - both 16 years old while filming - were nominated for Oscars for Best Supporting Actor and Actress. This film plays like a circle of sexual tensions. Director, Nicholas Ray, who also wrote the story worked out with James Dean and Sal Mineo that Plato was gay and had a strong crush on Jim, (…as did [eventually] Judy…). Also, Judy’s father’s rejection of her seems to come entirely from his discomfort with how “grown-up” and beautiful she’s becoming. Judy can’t sit on his lap and smother him with kisses anymore, and she’s left puzzled, rejected, and wondering why. Even Buzz can’t quite figure out his own erratic impulses and tensions… Buzz: “You know something? I like you.” Jim: “Why do we do this?” Buzz: “You've gotta do something. Don't you?” Jim and Judy playing at being a couple, in the mansion, plays into their stilted ‘love story’/attraction being half real/half wishful thinking. Even their exchange is awkward, like Judy’s outside herself observing herself… Judy: “I love somebody. All the time I've been... I've been looking for someone to love me. And now I love somebody. And it's so easy. Why is it easy now?” Jim Stark: “I don't know; it is for me, too.” Judy: “I love you, Jim. I really mean it”. Jim Stark: “Well, I'm glad.” Whaaaaat???? Again, it’s complicated. Nick Ray made this film so complex you could watch it every month and see new things.
You should definitely watch his other 2 movies he made before he died, Giant and East of Eden. He was among the first actors to use Method acting to pull emotions from his own experiences. Definitely one of the reasons why his performances stick with people so much on a deeper level. It sucks knowing how many awesome movies we didn't get from him!
There was an excellent documentary on the Turner Classic Movie channel about James Dean a few years ago, and it mentioned his training in Method acting, which was new and radical at the time. The man who played his father in “East Of Eden” said that it was extremely difficult to work with Dean, because he often refused to follow the script, which meant that you had to improvise as well.
This movie was released in theaters right after James Dean was killed in a car crash. I can only imagine what people felt while watching this movie. James Dean's performance makes this movie and is why it's unforgettable. James Dean was a teen idol whose sudden death at 24 just as his career was rising made him a permanent cultural icon.
There was an intentional gay subtext between Plato and Jim. Mineo said that Plato was the first gay teen character in a movie, and this was not just his own reading. The original script even had a kiss between Dean and Plato, though Warner Brothers made sure that this did not get into the film (note that Plato has a picture of hunky actor Alan Ladd in his locker). Even heterosexual Jim is affectionate or almost flirtatious with Plato, and Plato looks lovingly at Jim, not the way he would look at a father (maybe-bisexual Dean told Mineo, who was gay, to look at him the way he, Dean, looked at Natalie Wood). Pretty remarkable for 1955. It would even have been notable in 1975.
In the 1994 documentary "the Celluloid Closet," about gay & lesbian characters in film, the screenwriter for this film acknowledged that he would have made Plato's homosexuality explicit, but couldn't under the Code. And since James Dean and Sal Mineo were both bisexual, the "third wheel" comment in the review made me laugh.
@@CPTDoom People tend to overstate Dean's bisexuality. Dean was bi-curious, but no more so than your average female college student or Hollywood actress. The majority of his relationships were with women, which were also his most intense relationships. Sal Mineo, on the other hand, was definitely gay, or leaned that direction.
@@samuelosler1994 Drew Barrymore should know that statistically, over 70% of bisexuals are female, while only a little over 20% are male. Drew should know because she is bisexual. She should also know that statistically, 84% of bisexuals report being in relationships with opposite sex partners while only 9% say they are in a same sex relationship. Also, to say that “most Hollywood actors are gay or bisexual" is ignorant, as if the desire to be an artist or play make believe is somehow intrinsically liked to one's sexuality. That's more wishful thinking on your part. The majority of Hollywood celebrities are in heterosexual relationships, and most male Hollywood actors tend to be rakes and womanizers on a level equal to rock stars. This is why Mark Wahlberg created that show, Entourage, to shed a light on what actually happens behind the scenes. I took theater, and I'm not gay or bi.
@@samuelosler1994 But you're not straight. And from your comment about “heterosexual power," I can tell that you know absolutely nothing about straight guys.
"You're tearing me apart!" Fun Fact: T-shirt sales soared after James Dean wore one in this film. Compare this to when Clark Gable had a shirtless scene in It Happened One Night (1934). T-shirt sales dropped 40%. Automobile Enthusiast Fact: The 1949 Mercury coupe James Dean drove in the movie is part of the permanent collection at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, NV. Let's Go Fact: The opening scene in the movie with Jim Stark and the toy monkey was improvised by James Dean after the production had been shooting for nearly 24 hours straight. He asked Nicholas Ray to roll the camera, that he wanted to do something. Ray obliged and the improvisation went on to become the famous opening scene.
The legendary James Dean. What a brilliant but very short career. He should have won an Academy award for this. Actually all three of them, James, Sal Mineo, and Natalie Wood all died tragically and prematurely.
Nice, man! Brando and Montgomery Clift came on to the scene....and James Dean right after. Those three (and others, but DEFINTIELY those three) brought in the new realism in acting that really came to fruition in the late 60s and 70s, but as you can see here: he's already "deeper" than your normal Hollywood acting of the time. He only made three movies: "East Of Eden", this, and "Giant" (which came out after he died). All worth seeing. And DEFINITELY check out the early Brando: A Streetcar Named Desire, On The Waterfront, The Wild One, Guys And Dolls, Viva Zapata....there's a string of 'em.....The Young Lions (which also has Montgomery Clift)....One Eyed Jacks (great western)....The Fugitive Kind.....there are all Brando classics.
This is my favorite James Dean movie, East of Eden is also brilliant and you should watch that. His best performance is in that one. He was a great young actor and would've done a lot more if he didn't die so young. Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo, also both brilliant and were Oscar nominated for this movie would also sadly die at young ages later. This movie is still very relatable whether to teens back then or even teens today, James Dean forever became an icon of rebellious misunderstood youth culture. The singer Buddy Holly whom I adore loved this movie and he would also meet a tragic fate at a young age, there's a lot of what ifs when it comes to this.
I am smiling so much watching your reaction ! RWAC is a landmark in cinema, James Dean was phenomenal and the chemistry Dean, Wood and Mineo have is incredible. While of course the now iconic 'you're tearing me apart' and 'i got the bullets' stand out--what made James Dean such a brilliant actor (and something he doesn't get enough credit for IMO) is the incredible nuances and subtleties-the little head shake when he's pulling Judy back off the cliff. The pool scene-the lines "shrunken nursery" "quick fill the pool!" "your house is a mess" etc were all ad-libbed by Dean. His talent for improv and ad-lib is so darn good and natural and it shows just how well he knew the character. Another thing is that he gives a very organic performance--it never seems that he's just reading lines, the way he uses his whole body--especially his eyes--he's actively listening and his responses feel so natural to Jim Stark. He also had a huge role in making the film (according to some actors he essentially co-directed the film, while others say that it only appeared that way because director Nicholas Ray gave him the space to bring his creativity to the forefront: the opening sequence of Jim with the monkey and putting the wrapping paper blanket on was his idea and that scene was all shot (from what I understand) in one take--he didn't tell Ray what he was planning on doing-he just told Nick he had an idea and asked him to just film. He also with Ray choreographed (though I'm not sure if that's the right word) the whole sequence with the milk bottle and 'stand up for me' He was a truly gifted actor who was the first person to ever receive a posthumous nomination for Best Actor (he received two of them: for East of Eden released in 1955 and then for Giant which was released in 1956). Ironically he never received a nomination for RWAC because he had already been nominated for East of Eden for 1955.
Love this movie. A Classic! Plato smelled the jacket because he was in love with Jim. James Dean is such a Hollywood icon. It is sad that he shot the puppies but back in the day people just watched the movie and took it as part of the storyline. I had the Rebel movie poster when I was 20. The first night he was at the police station. The next day he went to school, planetarium, they did the chickie run, and when they went to hide in the mansion. So it was actually two days.
If you ever go to Los Angeles, make sure to visit the Griffith Observatory. There are several plaques inside and outside that mention the movie being shot there, as well as pictures. James Dean loved going there, as did Marilyn Monroe and many other stars. Elvis used to love to go there, but he could only go when the building was closed to the public, otherwise he would get mobbed. The building itself is very impressive and beautiful, and the planetarium has great shows. But maybe the biggest draw to the place is the absolutely stunning views of the city, you can even see the ocean in the distance. The grounds are also part of a huge national park with lots of trails to explore.
Leonard Rosenman composed the excellent score, along with Dean's first starring film, "East of Eden", also 1955. His third and final film, "Giant" would not be released until more than a year after his death, in the latter part of 1956- that film is a 3 and 1/2 + hour masterpiece, hence it took some time for post production and editing. Dean was for the most part done with that film before his untimely death on Sept. 30th, 1955, except for some ADR work, which they had to find a voice double. You should, I think react to "East of Eden" at some time...talking about complicated familial relationships..it's a parable to the Cain and Abel story, but Dean, as always, is mesmerizing! "Giant" is extremely well worth a reaction, but you may have to split it up into two parts, due to its length. Also, Sal Mineo has a much smaller role, whereas Dennis Hopper has a notably bigger one..both from 'Rebel'. Enjoyed your reaction to this groundbreaking film, I think the first to take teens and their problems seriously.
This is one of my all time favorites. Dean only made three movies before he died in a car accident. This is the one movie that people remember him from.
Comparing the character development in this to many of today's popular films, it really points to either laziness on the part of writers or directors, or unwillingness to take that time in a film to express so much with so little. When I was your age ( decades ago) my mom got this film on VHS, sat me down in front of the TV and had me watch it. I fell in love with it, and am sad that more reactors aren't watching it. James Dean should be remembered.
its funny you say that, La La Land is my favorite movie of all time, and because of them commenting on rebel without a cause in the movie it also peaked my interest. I'n also a fan of oldies, so I watched it, loved it so much, looked up reactions and yours is the first I clicked on!
What a great, insightful reaction/review. You really "nailed" it. By the time this movie was released, James Dean was already dead from a car crash. It is amazing that he made only three films before his death and has become such a cinema icon....his influence was incredible....this was the first movie that teenagers were taken seriously and given a "voice" in cinema. His first film "East Of Eden", is also incredible (same father/son issues)...a good one to check out. Now is a good time to check out Marlon Brando's early career, especially "On The Waterfront" and "A Streetcar Named Desire"...powerful stuff! Keep up the good work....
This was great to see. Nic Ray's other films are often very interesting: BIGGER THAN LIFE and IN A LONELY PLACE especially. Plato's character seems to be gay, at a time when movies were not allowed to admit the existence of homosexuality except in a veiled or "coded" way. He has male pin-ups in his locker, which is pretty overt for the time. Sal Mineo was gay, Ray was bisexual and James Dean either gay or bi. The other coding concerns some kind of incestuous thing between Judy and her dad - he's afraid to touch her since she hit puberty.
Even though you are younger, how could you know so little about “Rebel” considering how iconic James Dean is !!!You have to view this movie in the context of 1954 when it was made !This movie made James Dean a LEGEND forever !
Thanks for calling attention to how hard the dad is trying. He really is doing the best he can and his ideas are good - he just doesn't have the character to pull it off.
Thanks, Ollie! 🔭 I'm glad you mentioned the brilliant LA LA LAND (2016) since CASABLANCA (1942) as well as REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955) were referenced in it. If you'd like to see another good one with Natalie Wood, give her final movie a shot... BRAINSTORM (1983). An excellent one with her is SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS (1961).
According to the nutters who enforced the Hays Code, Plato’s murder at the hands of the Police, provided the story with a happy ending, because the code prohibited criminals from receiving happy endings or being portrayed too sympathetically, as such Plato’s crime of ‘Juvenile Delinquency’ was enough to make his murder okay by the standards of the censors.
I'm a huge old movie buff. And I loved the cinematography of this movie. I thought all the supporting actors were done so well, the parents, they captured the tough spot of parents with rebelling kids who are seeking independence. Please, you have to watch It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World!!
There was no applause because it was a planetarium show at Griffith Park Observatory in LA. You see the dome, the view of the city, and the pay-per-view telescope, which is still there. I remember (dates me) those constellation shows. Now it's FX all the way. The shows never change anymore because instead of locals, it's busloads of Japanese tourists.
The sad thing is the three meet tragic deaths James Dean car accident 24 at the time Natalie Wood drowned 43 at the time and Sal Mineo murdered stab wound to the heart aged 37 RIP. Peace out.
James Dean has only been in three movies as leads in his brief career. All of them top tier. 1: East of Eden 2: Rebel With Out A Cause 3: Giant. All of them worth a watch. Giant probably being the best of the three
The movie that invented teenagers. James Dean was an important culture point well into the 80s. (I don't think Dean's earnestness survived the 90s, the Decade of Snark.) Dean would've had an interesting career.
Even though James Dean was second to Elvis as a generation's role model in the 50's, some of his "angsty" overacting doesn't age well in the modern days of other method actors--It's hard to watch "You're tearing me apart!", and not add "...Lisa!" 😛 I was always a huge fan of Jim Backus from "Gilligan's Island", so when Dean went into his big unscripted “Love me!! 😫” Acting moment, my eyes were always on the improv-ready Backus as the dad trying to rescue the scene on set.
Poor Plato. He has a picture of Alan Ladd in his locker. He's gay. The screenwriter said that if he'd been allo, that Plato would be so tortured because he's queer
At the time Jim Backus was best known as the voice of the cartoon character Mr Magoo. Dean kept ruining serious scenes by talking like Magoo just to kid Backus (who thought it funny) which exasperated director Ray.
This movie is great, and probably the first teen movie. With such a short career, James Dean is still one of my favourite actors (and that's a short list). His character here is iconic. And Plato is a conflicted boy, more so than the others. I'm OK with him as long as he doesn't shoot kittens XD And Natalie Wood did an amazing job for such a young girl. Did you recognize Dennis Hopper? Now that you've seen this movie, you can read about the "curse". I'd recommend also watching East of Eden, with Jimmy. It's a very good film.
It’s such a shame James Dean died at 24, there are so many great films that he would’ve made even greater. I can’t help but imagine him in “Easy Rider” as a 1960’s hippie with longer hair driving cross country on motorcycles with Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda & Jack Nicholson.
Plato was gay and was in love with Jim, he was very hurt with he was rejected, in his mind, when Jim went with Judy, which repeated his childhood when he felt rejected by his parents. In the 50's, a character could not be gay and it was implied that he was, the character would have miserable and most likely die as per movie codes in the day, there could not be a gay storyline to be released. PS, Natalie Woods was the little girl in 'Mieracle on 34th Street'.
You should’ve watch the black & white version ☯️ Some movies just makes sense in their original version like night of the living dead 🤔 some thing about that movie just seems off when it’s in color
WOW! This movie is amazing!!! I honestly didn't know how much this movie affected me until after I watched it because it has been just over 2 weeks now and I am still thinking about it. The ending especially was so heartbreaking and tense and man James Dean delivered!!
Thanks for watching! Have a great day! :)
Sal Mineo and Natalie Wood - both 16 years old while filming - were nominated for Oscars for Best Supporting Actor and Actress. This film plays like a circle of sexual tensions. Director, Nicholas Ray, who also wrote the story worked out with James Dean and Sal Mineo that Plato was gay and had a strong crush on Jim, (…as did [eventually] Judy…). Also, Judy’s father’s rejection of her seems to come entirely from his discomfort with how “grown-up” and beautiful she’s becoming. Judy can’t sit on his lap and smother him with kisses anymore, and she’s left puzzled, rejected, and wondering why. Even Buzz can’t quite figure out his own erratic impulses and tensions…
Buzz: “You know something? I like you.”
Jim: “Why do we do this?”
Buzz: “You've gotta do something. Don't you?”
Jim and Judy playing at being a couple, in the mansion, plays into their stilted ‘love story’/attraction being half real/half wishful thinking. Even their exchange is awkward, like Judy’s outside herself observing herself…
Judy: “I love somebody. All the time I've been... I've been looking for someone to love me. And now I love somebody. And it's so easy. Why is it easy now?”
Jim Stark: “I don't know; it is for me, too.”
Judy: “I love you, Jim. I really mean it”.
Jim Stark: “Well, I'm glad.”
Whaaaaat???? Again, it’s complicated. Nick Ray made this film so complex you could watch it every month and see new things.
You should definitely watch his other 2 movies he made before he died, Giant and East of Eden. He was among the first actors to use Method acting to pull emotions from his own experiences. Definitely one of the reasons why his performances stick with people so much on a deeper level. It sucks knowing how many awesome movies we didn't get from him!
There was an excellent documentary on the Turner Classic Movie channel about James Dean a few years ago, and it mentioned his training in Method acting, which was new and radical at the time. The man who played his father in “East Of Eden” said that it was extremely difficult to work with Dean, because he often refused to follow the script, which meant that you had to improvise as well.
Love them both! East of Eden is my favorite book of all time and the movie is great too. Giant is pretty incredible as well
This movie was released in theaters right after James Dean was killed in a car crash. I can only imagine what people felt while watching this movie. James Dean's performance makes this movie and is why it's unforgettable. James Dean was a teen idol whose sudden death at 24 just as his career was rising made him a permanent cultural icon.
There was an intentional gay subtext between Plato and Jim. Mineo said that Plato was the first gay teen character in a movie, and this was not just his own reading. The original script even had a kiss between Dean and Plato, though Warner Brothers made sure that this did not get into the film (note that Plato has a picture of hunky actor Alan Ladd in his locker). Even heterosexual Jim is affectionate or almost flirtatious with Plato, and Plato looks lovingly at Jim, not the way he would look at a father (maybe-bisexual Dean told Mineo, who was gay, to look at him the way he, Dean, looked at Natalie Wood). Pretty remarkable for 1955. It would even have been notable in 1975.
In the 1994 documentary "the Celluloid Closet," about gay & lesbian characters in film, the screenwriter for this film acknowledged that he would have made Plato's homosexuality explicit, but couldn't under the Code. And since James Dean and Sal Mineo were both bisexual, the "third wheel" comment in the review made me laugh.
@@CPTDoom People tend to overstate Dean's bisexuality. Dean was bi-curious, but no more so than your average female college student or Hollywood actress. The majority of his relationships were with women, which were also his most intense relationships. Sal Mineo, on the other hand, was definitely gay, or leaned that direction.
@@samuelosler1994 Drew Barrymore should know that statistically, over 70% of bisexuals are female, while only a little over 20% are male. Drew should know because she is bisexual. She should also know that statistically, 84% of bisexuals report being in relationships with opposite sex partners while only 9% say they are in a same sex relationship. Also, to say that “most Hollywood actors are gay or bisexual" is ignorant, as if the desire to be an artist or play make believe is somehow intrinsically liked to one's sexuality. That's more wishful thinking on your part. The majority of Hollywood celebrities are in heterosexual relationships, and most male Hollywood actors tend to be rakes and womanizers on a level equal to rock stars. This is why Mark Wahlberg created that show, Entourage, to shed a light on what actually happens behind the scenes. I took theater, and I'm not gay or bi.
@@samuelosler1994 Dude, that may be your experience, but to quote Bill Maher, not everything is about you.
@@samuelosler1994 But you're not straight. And from your comment about “heterosexual power," I can tell that you know absolutely nothing about straight guys.
"You're tearing me apart!"
Fun Fact: T-shirt sales soared after James Dean wore one in this film. Compare this to when Clark Gable had a shirtless scene in It Happened One Night (1934). T-shirt sales dropped 40%.
Automobile Enthusiast Fact: The 1949 Mercury coupe James Dean drove in the movie is part of the permanent collection at the National Automobile Museum in Reno, NV.
Let's Go Fact: The opening scene in the movie with Jim Stark and the toy monkey was improvised by James Dean after the production had been shooting for nearly 24 hours straight. He asked Nicholas Ray to roll the camera, that he wanted to do something. Ray obliged and the improvisation went on to become the famous opening scene.
The legendary James Dean. What a brilliant but very short career. He should have won an Academy award for this. Actually all three of them, James, Sal Mineo, and Natalie Wood all died tragically and prematurely.
..And Jim Backus got stranded on that island for all those years.
@@jefmay3053 😂
Nice, man! Brando and Montgomery Clift came on to the scene....and James Dean right after. Those three (and others, but DEFINTIELY those three) brought in the new realism in acting that really came to fruition in the late 60s and 70s, but as you can see here: he's already "deeper" than your normal Hollywood acting of the time. He only made three movies: "East Of Eden", this, and "Giant" (which came out after he died). All worth seeing. And DEFINITELY check out the early Brando: A Streetcar Named Desire, On The Waterfront, The Wild One, Guys And Dolls, Viva Zapata....there's a string of 'em.....The Young Lions (which also has Montgomery Clift)....One Eyed Jacks (great western)....The Fugitive Kind.....there are all Brando classics.
Did you notice that Jim's dad is 'Mr Howell' from Giligan's Island.
This is my favorite James Dean movie, East of Eden is also brilliant and you should watch that. His best performance is in that one. He was a great young actor and would've done a lot more if he didn't die so young. Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo, also both brilliant and were Oscar nominated for this movie would also sadly die at young ages later. This movie is still very relatable whether to teens back then or even teens today, James Dean forever became an icon of rebellious misunderstood youth culture. The singer Buddy Holly whom I adore loved this movie and he would also meet a tragic fate at a young age, there's a lot of what ifs when it comes to this.
Elvis was also known to watch this movie often, he wanted to be like James Dean.
I am smiling so much watching your reaction ! RWAC is a landmark in cinema, James Dean was phenomenal and the chemistry Dean, Wood and Mineo have is incredible. While of course the now iconic 'you're tearing me apart' and 'i got the bullets' stand out--what made James Dean such a brilliant actor (and something he doesn't get enough credit for IMO) is the incredible nuances and subtleties-the little head shake when he's pulling Judy back off the cliff. The pool scene-the lines "shrunken nursery" "quick fill the pool!" "your house is a mess" etc were all ad-libbed by Dean. His talent for improv and ad-lib is so darn good and natural and it shows just how well he knew the character. Another thing is that he gives a very organic performance--it never seems that he's just reading lines, the way he uses his whole body--especially his eyes--he's actively listening and his responses feel so natural to Jim Stark. He also had a huge role in making the film (according to some actors he essentially co-directed the film, while others say that it only appeared that way because director Nicholas Ray gave him the space to bring his creativity to the forefront: the opening sequence of Jim with the monkey and putting the wrapping paper blanket on was his idea and that scene was all shot (from what I understand) in one take--he didn't tell Ray what he was planning on doing-he just told Nick he had an idea and asked him to just film. He also with Ray choreographed (though I'm not sure if that's the right word) the whole sequence with the milk bottle and 'stand up for me' He was a truly gifted actor who was the first person to ever receive a posthumous nomination for Best Actor (he received two of them: for East of Eden released in 1955 and then for Giant which was released in 1956). Ironically he never received a nomination for RWAC because he had already been nominated for East of Eden for 1955.
Dean was such a coiled spring of intensity, and his screen presence is simply jaw-dropping.
Love this movie. A Classic!
Plato smelled the jacket because he was in love with Jim.
James Dean is such a Hollywood icon.
It is sad that he shot the puppies but back in the day people just watched the movie and took it as part of the storyline.
I had the Rebel movie poster when I was 20.
The first night he was at the police station. The next day he went to school, planetarium, they did the chickie run, and when they went to hide in the mansion. So it was actually two days.
Fun fact: Jim Backus (Jim's father) is best remembered as the voice of Mr Magoo.
Mr. Howell. Isn't that right Luvvie?
Yup more famous for Mr. Howell on Gilligan's Island
The dad in this movie is Mr Howell from Gilligan's island and the voice of Mr Magoo cartoon show included the tv special Christmas Carol version
If you ever go to Los Angeles, make sure to visit the Griffith Observatory. There are several plaques inside and outside that mention the movie being shot there, as well as pictures. James Dean loved going there, as did Marilyn Monroe and many other stars. Elvis used to love to go there, but he could only go when the building was closed to the public, otherwise he would get mobbed. The building itself is very impressive and beautiful, and the planetarium has great shows. But maybe the biggest draw to the place is the absolutely stunning views of the city, you can even see the ocean in the distance. The grounds are also part of a huge national park with lots of trails to explore.
Leonard Rosenman composed the excellent score, along with Dean's first starring film, "East of Eden", also 1955. His third and final film, "Giant" would not be released until more than a year after his death, in the latter part of 1956- that film is a 3 and 1/2 + hour masterpiece, hence it took some time for post production and editing. Dean was for the most part done with that film before his untimely death on Sept. 30th, 1955, except for some ADR work, which they had to find a voice double. You should, I think react to "East of Eden" at some time...talking about complicated familial relationships..it's a parable to the Cain and Abel story, but Dean, as always, is mesmerizing! "Giant" is extremely well worth a reaction, but you may have to split it up into two parts, due to its length. Also, Sal Mineo has a much smaller role, whereas Dennis Hopper has a notably bigger one..both from 'Rebel'. Enjoyed your reaction to this groundbreaking film, I think the first to take teens and their problems seriously.
I first saw this movie when I was 21, and it blew me away. Especially that last scene. Amazing performances all round. Great reaction and review!
This is one of my all time favorites. Dean only made three movies before he died in a car accident. This is the one movie that people remember him from.
The old guy at the Police Station was The Chief on Get Smart!
Comparing the character development in this to many of today's popular films, it really points to either laziness on the part of writers or directors, or unwillingness to take that time in a film to express so much with so little. When I was your age ( decades ago) my mom got this film on VHS, sat me down in front of the TV and had me watch it. I fell in love with it, and am sad that more reactors aren't watching it. James Dean should be remembered.
Ey! You finally watched it. Classic film. James Dean is a legend.
"...Sal MEE NO" - dead! Love your reactions.
The line where he says, "YOU'RE TEARING ME APART!" was used in the movie ,The Room. "You're tearing me apart, Lisa!"
the hell you say!
its funny you say that, La La Land is my favorite movie of all time, and because of them commenting on rebel without a cause in the movie it also peaked my interest. I'n also a fan of oldies, so I watched it, loved it so much, looked up reactions and yours is the first I clicked on!
Thanks for clicking on my reaction! Also always glad to find someone else who loves La La Land as much as I do!
What a great, insightful reaction/review. You really "nailed" it.
By the time this movie was released, James Dean was already dead from a car crash. It is amazing that he made only three films before his death and has become such a cinema icon....his influence was incredible....this was the first movie that teenagers were taken seriously and given a "voice" in cinema.
His first film "East Of Eden", is also incredible (same father/son issues)...a good one to check out.
Now is a good time to check out Marlon Brando's early career, especially "On The Waterfront" and "A Streetcar Named Desire"...powerful stuff!
Keep up the good work....
Dennis Hopper played Goon in this movie.
This was great to see. Nic Ray's other films are often very interesting: BIGGER THAN LIFE and IN A LONELY PLACE especially. Plato's character seems to be gay, at a time when movies were not allowed to admit the existence of homosexuality except in a veiled or "coded" way. He has male pin-ups in his locker, which is pretty overt for the time. Sal Mineo was gay, Ray was bisexual and James Dean either gay or bi. The other coding concerns some kind of incestuous thing between Judy and her dad - he's afraid to touch her since she hit puberty.
Even though you are younger, how could you know so little about “Rebel” considering how iconic James Dean is !!!You have to view this movie in the context of 1954 when it was made !This movie made James Dean a LEGEND forever !
Amazing! Thanks! And famous because it was one of only three films that featured the great James Dean.
Thanks for calling attention to how hard the dad is trying. He really is doing the best he can and his ideas are good - he just doesn't have the character to pull it off.
Thanks, Ollie! 🔭 I'm glad you mentioned the brilliant LA LA LAND (2016) since CASABLANCA (1942) as well as REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955) were referenced in it. If you'd like to see another good one with Natalie Wood, give her final movie a shot... BRAINSTORM (1983). An excellent one with her is SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS (1961).
According to the nutters who enforced the Hays Code, Plato’s murder at the hands of the Police, provided the story with a happy ending, because the code prohibited criminals from receiving happy endings or being portrayed too sympathetically, as such Plato’s crime of ‘Juvenile Delinquency’ was enough to make his murder okay by the standards of the censors.
"You're Tearing Me Apart!!!!!"
James Dean such a legend😊❤💪
"The Giant" with James Dean 😊❤
I'm a huge old movie buff. And I loved the cinematography of this movie. I thought all the supporting actors were done so well, the parents, they captured the tough spot of parents with rebelling kids who are seeking independence. Please, you have to watch It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World!!
I would suggest "The Loneliest Runner" next. Same period, and some toxic family relations. One of my all times favorites.
I've been waiting for a week for this! Loved your reaction ♥
You should watch 'In a Lonely Place' to see Nicholas Ray at his best.
There was no applause because it was a planetarium show at Griffith Park Observatory in LA. You see the dome, the view of the city, and the pay-per-view telescope, which is still there. I remember (dates me) those constellation shows. Now it's FX all the way. The shows never change anymore because instead of locals, it's busloads of Japanese tourists.
Pink Floyd laser shows?
The sad thing is the three meet tragic deaths James Dean car accident 24 at the time Natalie Wood drowned 43 at the time and Sal Mineo murdered stab wound to the heart aged 37 RIP. Peace out.
James Dean has only been in three movies as leads in his brief career. All of them top tier. 1: East of Eden 2: Rebel With Out A Cause 3: Giant. All of them worth a watch. Giant probably being the best of the three
Great pick!
The movie that invented teenagers. James Dean was an important culture point well into the 80s. (I don't think Dean's earnestness survived the 90s, the Decade of Snark.) Dean would've had an interesting career.
Theif would have been okay but puppy shooter is too bad
Thanks for the video!! See you later!! Stay safe.😁
James Dean died a month before this film was released. 😢
Even though James Dean was second to Elvis as a generation's role model in the 50's, some of his "angsty" overacting doesn't age well in the modern days of other method actors--It's hard to watch "You're tearing me apart!", and not add "...Lisa!" 😛
I was always a huge fan of Jim Backus from "Gilligan's Island", so when Dean went into his big unscripted “Love me!! 😫” Acting moment, my eyes were always on the improv-ready Backus as the dad trying to rescue the scene on set.
Poor Plato. He has a picture of Alan Ladd in his locker. He's gay. The screenwriter said that if he'd been allo, that Plato would be so tortured because he's queer
At the time Jim Backus was best known as the voice of the cartoon character Mr Magoo. Dean kept ruining serious scenes by talking like Magoo just to kid Backus (who thought it funny) which exasperated director Ray.
I know him best as Thurston Howell the third. You know where that's from.
Corey Allen is more handsome like James Dean !
💛💛💛💛🤔🤔🤔
This movie is great, and probably the first teen movie. With such a short career, James Dean is still one of my favourite actors (and that's a short list). His character here is iconic. And Plato is a conflicted boy, more so than the others. I'm OK with him as long as he doesn't shoot kittens XD And Natalie Wood did an amazing job for such a young girl. Did you recognize Dennis Hopper? Now that you've seen this movie, you can read about the "curse".
I'd recommend also watching East of Eden, with Jimmy. It's a very good film.
It’s such a shame James Dean died at 24, there are so many great films that he would’ve made even greater. I can’t help but imagine him in “Easy Rider” as a 1960’s hippie with longer hair driving cross country on motorcycles with Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda & Jack Nicholson.
I actually enjoy this old movie last year.
"A fairly famous older film?" Did I hear that right?
I mean, is he wrong? lol not everyone is old
Plato was gay and was in love with Jim, he was very hurt with he was rejected, in his mind, when Jim went with Judy, which repeated his childhood when he felt rejected by his parents. In the 50's, a character could not be gay and it was implied that he was, the character would have miserable and most likely die as per movie codes in the day, there could not be a gay storyline to be released. PS, Natalie Woods was the little girl in 'Mieracle on 34th Street'.
You should’ve watch the black & white version ☯️ Some movies just makes sense in their original version like night of the living dead 🤔 some thing about that movie just seems off when it’s in color
There was no black and white version, this was originally shot in colour after the first 2 week were shot in black and white.