East of Eden

East of Eden Photos

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Cast & Crew

James Dean
Cal Trask

Julie Harris
Abra

Raymond Massey
Adam Trask

Jo Van Fleet
Kate

Burl Ives
Sam the Sheriff

Richard Davalos
Aron Trask

Albert Dekker
Will Hamilton

Lois Smith
Anne

Harold Gordon
Gustav Albrecht

Nick Dennis
Rantani

Rose Plumer
Rose

Timothy Carey
Joe (uncredited)

Lonny Chapman
Roy (uncredited)

Elia Kazan
Director

Paul Osborn
Writer

John Steinbeck
Writer

Elia Kazan
Producer

Leonard Rosenman
Original Music

Ted D. McCord
Cinematographer

Owen Marks
Film Editing

James Basevi
Art Director

Malcolm C. Bert
Art Director

George James Hopkins
Set Decoration

Anna Hill Johnstone
Costume Design

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News & Interviews for East of Eden

Audience Reviews for East of Eden

• Dec 01, 2015

  Family, love, and digging yourself up from beneath the dirt, (to name a few) are all underlying elements throughout this picture. This beautifully directed, James Dean (his first) lead feature, proves as a defining movie of it's decade. As Cal is ridiculed by his father and looked down upon by others, due to the fact that his brother has everything going for him, including a love interest, he sets out to make a name for himself and turn his life around. A long time ago, his family was abandoned by his mother and he sets out to collect money to help return the favours given by his father. In hopes to be accepted by his father, mother, and respected by the town and his own brother, Cal Trask is one complex character that I could just not get enough of. James Dean is terrific in this film and the screenplay is adapted brilliantly. Lessons about life, love, and happiness leap off the screen and I bought every message. Everything about this film screams greatness in filmmaking to me and it is definitely one of the best films I have ever seen. "East of Eden" is a breathtaking picture.
  

  KJ P Super Reviewer
• Jul 01, 2014

  The son of a farmer desperately seeks his father's approval. In this film James Dean looks like he could either violently explode or be disintegrated into a million pieces by a light breeze. His performance is a showcase in vulnerability, which, in a way, is was acting is about - the vulnerability and availability of an actor's emotional truth and interpretation of the character. The story is fine, but by the end of the film, all I can remember is Dean, whose performance is a master class in what acting should be. Overall, see this film for James Dean.
  Jim H Super Reviewer
• Jan 19, 2014

  This is an American classic. It's a real shame that James Dean died so young, because he's amazing here.
  Stephen S Super Reviewer
• Aug 07, 2013

  The James Dean film that gets less airplay compared to Rebel Without a Cause and Giant, East of Eden is nonetheless another prime example of what good acting Dean successfully brought to the screen. I think this was the last one which is a shame.
  

  John B Super Reviewer