East of Eden

1955
PG
1h 58m

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

50K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer2:52

1 Video

99+ Photos

Drama

Two brothers in 1910s California struggle to maintain the favor of their affectionate but strict, Bible-toting father as an old secret about their long-absent mother comes to light.Two brothers in 1910s California struggle to maintain the favor of their affectionate but strict, Bible-toting father as an old secret about their long-absent mother comes to light.Two brothers in 1910s California struggle to maintain the favor of their affectionate but strict, Bible-toting father as an old secret about their long-absent mother comes to light.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.8/10

50K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 13 wins & 10 nominations total

Townsman
(uncredited)

Rose Allen

Townswoman at Carnival
(uncredited)

José Arias

Prisoner
(uncredited)

Frank Baker

Townsman
(uncredited)

Barbara Baxley

Nurse
(uncredited)

John Beradino

Coalman at Lettuce Field
(uncredited)

Joe Brooks

Townsman at Carnival
(uncredited)

Director
- Elia Kazan
Writers
- John Steinbeck
- Paul Osborn
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
In the scene where Adam refuses to accept Cal's money, the script called for Cal to turn away in anger from his father. It was James Dean's instinct to embrace him instead. This came as a surprise to Raymond Massey, who could think of nothing to do but say, "Cal! Cal!" in response.

Goofs
In 1917, Adam Trask unsuccessfully "invents" the refrigerated railroad car to ship produce. In reality, tens of thousands of such cars were in common use by 1890 (this mistake was also made in the novel).

Quotes
Cal Trask: I've been jealous all my life. Jealous, I couldn't even stand it. Tonight, I even tried to buy your love, but now I don't want it anymore... I can't use it anymore. I don't want any kind of love anymore. It doesn't pay off.

Crazy credits
Cards during opening credits: In northern California, the Santa Lucia Mountains, dark and brooding, stand like a wall between the peaceful agricultural town of Salinas and the rough and tumble fishing port of Monterey, fifteen miles away. AND "1917 Monterey, just outside the city limits"

Alternate versions
The dispute with shoemaker Gustav Albrecht about the war had been cut from the 1955 dubbed release for Germany and Austria. You could only see Albrecht leaving the fair claiming "Can't I say my opinion?", Cal climbing down the Ferris wheel and following Aaron and Albrecht, some fight in front of Albrecht's house and the sheriff appearing. The reason for all this remained totally unclear; the recruiter's speech is cut except for one background line "Join the army!" when Cal and Abra pass by, and you actually don't even get that Albrecht might be of German descent. In most of today's copies the missing scenes are included, distinguishable by the German subtitles.

Connections
Edited into The Meadow (2008)

Soundtracks
Oh, You Beautiful Doll
(1911) (uncredited)
Music by Nat Ayer
Played when Cal first enters the bordello
Also played when Cal and Abra pass in front of the mirrors

User reviews238

Review

Featured review

8/10

Notable for more than James Dean's first starring role

"East of Eden", based on the novel by John Steinbeck, concerns an upright father (Raymond Massey) and his two sons: one whom he considers good (Richard Davalos) and another whom he considers bad (James Dean). The story is influenced by the biblical story of Cain & Abel while much of the film focuses on Dean's character striving to earn the love of his father.

The cast is a pretty good one. James Dean received a posthumous Oscar nomination for what was his first major film role. I think that his performance here is every bit as memorable as his work in "Rebel Without a Cause". Jo Van Fleet ended up winning an Oscar for her performance while Julie Harris also delivered a fine performance. Unfortunately, I found the performances of Richard Davalos & Raymond Massey too bland to stand out, especially in comparison to the other cast members.

Elia Kazan's direction was good enough to land a Best Director Oscar nomination but I don't think that the film looks quite as good as other films of his. The score by Leonard Rosenman is stirring and is showcased in an overture at the beginning of the film.

I would certainly recommend this film to anyone wanting to know what all the fuss is about James Dean. Even if you're not interested in him particularly, you'll likely find the story an enthralling one.