Rebel Without a Cause
A new kid in town, a dangerous dare and a girl caught between two rivals ignite a night that changes everything.
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About the film
The bad boy from a good family.
What it’s about
Jim Stark has just moved to a new town, hoping for a fresh start after trouble at his previous schools. He struggles to connect with his parents, who want him to be a quiet, respectable son, but his rebellious nature pulls him toward risk. At his new school, he meets Judy, a girl he likes, and Plato, a disturbed classmate who looks up to him. Judy's boyfriend, Buzz, leads a gang that challenges Jim to a dangerous car race, and Jim accepts to prove he is not a coward.
What hooks you
James Dean stars as Jim Stark, with Natalie Wood as Judy and Sal Mineo as Plato. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Writing and Best Supporting Actor. Nicholas Ray directed, and the production was originally black-and-white before Warner Bros. switched to color after the success of Dean's previous film, 'East of Eden'. Ray spent nights with Los Angeles youth gangs to capture the atmosphere. The title comes from a 1944 psychological study of juvenile delinquents.
Who it’s for
It will appeal to those who like stories of teenage rebellion and family conflict, set against the backdrop of 1950s America. Those drawn to character-driven drama with a sense of impending trouble will find its tension compelling.
- Country
- United States
- Year
- 1955
- Genre
- Drama
- Running time
- 1h 51min
- Age rating
- 13+
- MPAA
- PG-13
- World premiere
- Oct 26, 1955
Ratings
MOVIE․ONE · 650 votesCreative team
All 10
Trivia
All facts 10
- The film's title is based on the title of a 1944 scientific work by Dr. Robert M. Lindner on the problems of hypnoanalysis of juvenile delinquents ("Rebel Without A Cause: The Hypnoanalysis of a Criminal Psychopath").
- The film was going to be made in black and white, and several scenes had already been shot when Warner Bros. decided to make it in color for prestige. The studio was pushed to this by the huge box office success of Elia Kazan's East of Eden (1955), the previous film with James Dean. Ray was especially happy to shoot the film in color, as he had several vivid symbols ready. Almost every color (from Jim's red jacket to his blue jeans) had its own symbolism.
- Jim mimics the voice of the cartoon character Mr. Magoo. The irony is that Jim's father is played by the actor Jim Backus, who also voiced this character. Backus even taught Dean how to speak properly in Magoo's voice.
- According to a survey conducted by the British multiplex chain UCI Cinemas, the film was voted the most stylish film in the history of cinema.
- The entire action of the film unfolds over the course of 24 hours.
- Ray was not very keen on giving the role of Judy to Natalie Wood, because he considered her too naive and inexperienced. Wood learned to smoke in the shortest possible time and changed her views on life, proving that she was capable of being mature and grown-up.
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Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Rebel Without a Cause
1955
Rebel Without a Cause
1955
Rebel Without a Cause
1955