Rebel Without a Cause

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Cast & Crew

James Dean
Jim Stark

Natalie Wood
Judy

Sal Mineo
John "Plato" Crawford

Jim Backus
Frank Stark

Ann Doran
Mrs. Stark

Corey Allen
Buzz Gunderson

William Hopper
Judy's Father

Rochelle Hudson
Judy's Mother

Virginia Brissac
Mrs. Stark

Nick Adams
Chick

Nicholas Ray
Director

Nicholas Ray
Writer

Irving Shulman
Writer

Stewart Stern
Writer

David Weisbart
Producer

Leonard Rosenman
Original Music

Ernest Haller
Cinematographer

William H. Ziegler
Film Editor

William Wallace
Set Decoration

Moss Mabry
Costume Designer

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Critic Reviews for Rebel Without a Cause

Audience Reviews for Rebel Without a Cause

• Aug 12, 2017

  Some things in the movie may not have aged that well, but it still pulses with youthful energy and impresses with the psychological complexity of its characters - and it should always be remembered for James Dean's iconic looks and performance that spoke to a generation.
  Carlos M Super Reviewer
• Nov 29, 2016

  James Dean was killed in a car accident at the age of 24 just a month before 'Rebel Without a Cause' was released, and that tragedy, along with his electric performance of teenage angst in the film, would seal his legend. There are several iconic scenes early on that show his ability - imitating the siren at the police station after being picked up for public drunkenness, yelling "you're tearing me apart!" as his parents argue, and a scene with Natalie Wood, who rebuffs him initially, mocking him by saying "I bet you're a real gentleman", and him responding "I love you too". He is the new kid at their school, the outsider, the misfit, whose parents don't understand him. The film taps into this sense of teenage isolation, and there is clearly a plea to be listened to, loved, and understood. It also taps into a feeling of existentialism, of meaninglessness on a larger scale, with an outstanding scene in the planetarium where Dean's class listen to the lecturer say "...to the infinite reaches of space, the problems of man seem trivial and naive indeed. And man, existing alone, seems himself an episode of little consequence." Wood looks up into the projection of the stars, while Dean frowns as if Camus himself. As the film plays out, we see Wood has problems with her parents too - her dad, apparently uncomfortable with her budding sexuality, slaps her across the face for giving him a kiss as she would have when smaller. Their other friend, a repressed gay character played by Sal Mineo, has parents who are absent entirely, with devastating results. Dean is provoked into a knife fight at one point, and then into a frightening game of 'Chickie Run', with drivers meant to jump out of their cars speeding towards the edge of a cliff at the last minute. It's an idiotic game, but that's what young people do sometimes, idiotic things, and a classic line has Dean asking 'Why do we do this?', and the other boy, played by Corey Allen, responding, "You've gotta do something, don't you?" In the aftermath of Allen's character dying, the film spirals in ways which seem a bit exaggerated. It's still well worth watching for its themes and actors, Wood, Mineo, and most of all Dean, who is like a young Brando, full of screen presence, full of promise. He's great in scenes of angst, but also in those with spontaneous banter and play. 1950's cool, still cool today.
  Antonius B Super Reviewer
• Dec 01, 2015

  While "Rebel Without a Cause" has a very familiar story, with predictable climax's and obvious character arcs, this James Dean film is not one to miss. Embracing all of these well-known story elements and creating a fresh take on this genre is really what this film does best. I will say that the film begins to drag slightly about halfway through, but aside from that, this is a very well-crafted drama that any film fan should love. Moving to a new town with his family, Jim Stark must choose which clique to fit in with, and whom be believes to be the cool crowd, turns out to have much more to hide. Falling in love with a girl from that same group, this film shows how bad can come from good and vice versa. I had a great time watching "Rebel Without a Cause." it is extremely well-written, well-acted, well-directed, and very well-shot. Great film all around.
  

  KJ P Super Reviewer
• Apr 26, 2013

  Some of its charm and sympathy endure to this day, but Rebel Without a Cause has aged in an undeniably awkward fashion, and the result is a film that simply doesn't hold up.
  Isaac H Super Reviewer

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