East Of Eden (Special Edition)

Advantages: James Dean, Cinematography
Disadvantages: Not a good adaptation

This film made in 1955 by many considered a classic has two main attractions. Firstly it is a version of a literary classic, John Steinbeck's epic novel of the same name and secondly it is one of the few films starring the legendary actor James Dean. THE STORY As I've already mentioned this is an adaptation of a Steinbeck novel but if you've read the novel you'd be very surprised by what you find on watching this film adaptation. It would be more ...
...half of the original novel. In the book we follow the lives of two families the Trasks and the Hamiltons and the story spans three generations examining the relationships between fathers, sons and brothers, to say it is a modern version of Cane and Abel is a little simplistic although it is a better description for the film. Adam Trask is a successful businessman and a pillar of the local community in the Salinas Valley, California in the early ... Read review

Advantages: Good value set for a fan
Disadvantages: Only 2 are excellent films, Giant is not as strong

...This box set edition features the only 3 films Jimmy Dean starred in before his untimely death in a car accident. Only 1 of these movies had been released prior to his death, however he was already a legend in the making. East of Eden is based on John Steinbecks classic novel - it is a powerful performance. Rebel is by far the most exciting as a film, and is also filmed in colour. The character is much like Jimmy's own character in real life. Jimmy Dean had a difficult relatonship with his father and had lost his mother. The movie Giant is my least favourite, but worth seeing if you are a fan. Jimmy plays a small part, but has a really funny scene near the end where he is drunk.... Read review

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