Rebel Without a Cause (1955) Rank 4 Reviews

Empire Magazine (--)

It's safe to assume that the world of the film teenager would have been a very different one had 'Rebel Without A Cause' never been made. As Jim Stark, James Dean created a whole new breed of movie hero - the cool, troubled adolescent - and turned ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Empire Magazine (--)

Senses of Cinema (Chris Wood)

When asked what the goal of the characters was in Rebel without a Cause (1955), director Nicholas Ray, "normally reticent about articulating his ideas, was ready to reveal the name of the game: look for the father. In one sentence, he told a journalist ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Senses of Cinema (Chris Wood)

The Greatest Films (Tim Dirks)

Rebel Without a Cause (1955) is a film that sympathetically views rebellious, American, restless, misunderstood, middle-class youth. The tale of youthful defiance, which could have been exploitative - but wasn't, provides a rich, but stylized (and ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at The Greatest Films (Tim Dirks)

New York Times (Bosley Crowther)

IT is a violent, brutal and disturbing picture of modern teen-agers that Warner Brothers presents in its new melodrama at the Astor, "Rebel Without a Cause." Young people neglected by their parents or given no understanding and moral support by fathers ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at New York Times (Bosley Crowther)

Reel.com DVD review (Pam Grady)

James Dean starred in but three films in his brief life, but nearly half a century after his untimely death, his edgy, emotional acting style can be still seen and felt through the performances of actors as disparate as Dennis Hopper and Brad Pitt. For ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Reel.com DVD review (Pam Grady)

London Times (Wendy Ide)

Rebel Without a Cause, which is re-released this week, is usually noted as the film that contains the greatest performance of James Dean's all-too-brief career. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at London Times (Wendy Ide)

CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)

Originally inspired by a newspaper story about troubled teens in the slums, landmark film Rebel Without a Cause showcases legendary cult figure James Dean in his definitive role. Filmed in 1955 and decidedly dated when watching it nearly 50 years later, ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at CultureDose.net (John Nesbit)

Collector's Corner (Wes Marshall)

Who knows what might have happened had Dean actually been extra cautious? He might have developed into a Paul Newman, or he might have devolved into something like his idol, Marlon Brando. One thing we do know: James Dean used to say, "Dream as if ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Collector's Corner (Wes Marshall)

Moviegnome.com

Okay, the new kid's first day at school usually isn't this dramatic. But hey, anything can happen when you're James Dean. The new kid is Jim Stark (James Dean). His family has moved numerous times before because he's gotten into trouble. The ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Moviegnome.com

Ways of Seeing (Yoel Meranda)

Rebel Without a Cause is the story of three teenagers in the 50's. Although the plot takes place in a time-scale of little bit more than 24 hours, at the end of the movie we feel like we know everything about them, how they feel about life, how their ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Ways of Seeing (Yoel Meranda)

EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)

When first released, neither studio nor critics knew what to make of it, failing to realize that it would become the most influential work in American film history ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)

MovieJustice (Dan DeVore)

This film is extremely well acted and directed by Nicholas Ray, who also did 55 Days at Peking and the western cult classic Johnny Guitar. The imagery is great, the atmosphere is completely 50's with the chicken races, knife fights and leather jackets ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at MovieJustice (Dan DeVore)

Slant Magazine

rofoundly romantic and lacerating in its despair, Nicholas Ray's Rebel Without a Cause, a self-contained portrait of three isolated teenagers, is James Dean's best film and best performance (it ranks high in Ray's work as well). You'd think that ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Slant Magazine

BBC Films

The myth of James Dean begins in Rebel Without A Cause. Nicholas Ray's raging tale of youth in revolt in 50s America solidified Dean's star quality - vulnerable beauty, handsome toughness and a curious, ambivalent sexuality - packaging it into a lush ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at BBC Films

BBC Films (Almar Haflidason)

Warner Brothers can at times be a little stingy with the features they put on DVDs. But every now and again they bring out a release that redeems them entirely. "Rebel Without a Cause" is one such disc and it should be in your collection. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at BBC Films (Almar Haflidason)

MovieFreak.com (Dylan Grant)

There is a telling moment in Rebel Without A Cause between Jim Stark (Dean) and his father (Jim Backus). "What do you do when you have to be a man," asks Jim. His father is speechless; he does not know what to tell his son. Mr. Stark is the emasculated ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at MovieFreak.com (Dylan Grant)

Home Theater Info (Doug MacLean)

Actor James Dean only made three major movies before his life was tragically cut short at 24 in an auto accident. Rebel without a Cause was the middle of these films and perhaps the best. It was hailed by the American Film Institute, as one of the best ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Home Theater Info (Doug MacLean)

Teen Movie Critic (Roger Davidson)

The second James Dean film this week, this is the movie in his brief career for which he is most remembered. The story opens with a scene that introduces us to the three main characters, a trio of messed-up teens. Dean portrays the oldest of the group, a ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Teen Movie Critic (Roger Davidson)

Audio Revolution

Watching Rebel Without a Cause, it's easy to understand this undying adulation: his performance is as intense, realistic and fascinating as ever. The movie itself has dated in some regards, but Dean's performance is literally timeless -- and yet it's ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Audio Revolution

Empire Magazine [UK]

A fine script, dynamic direction, doomed romantic idealism and telling performances make this the most timeless of Ray's gripping, socially aware dramas. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Empire Magazine [UK]

Reverse Shot (Leo Goldsmith)

Under Ray's dissecting eye, the suburban home itself becomes a battleground where parent and child must scream over each other to be heard ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Reverse Shot (Leo Goldsmith)

Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

It sides with the rebellious youths. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

culturevulture.net (Ben Stephens)

Just like its hero, the film is operatic and grandiose in places, shambling and inarticulate in others, but always intensely watchable. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at culturevulture.net (Ben Stephens)

eFilmCritic.com (Elaine Perrone)

Teach your parents well. Their children's hell will slowly go by. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Elaine Perrone)

MediaScreen.com

By NICK ZEGARAC Nicholas Ray's "Rebel Without A Cause" (1955) is probably the film most closely associated with James Dean's iconic persona as the volatile, yet soulful teenager with a chip on his shoulder. Dean is Jim Stark -- a young man ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at MediaScreen.com

Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

Nicholas Ray's teenage angst film about rich, postwar, suburban L.A., juvenile delinquents who are alienated and can't cope with their disturbing home life, is arguably the best rebellious youth film of the 1950s and though dated, it still plays well ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Ozus' World Movie Reviews (Dennis Schwartz)

digitallyOBSESSED.com (Dan Heaton)

The iconic moments of Rebel Without a Cause have thrived across generations and remain significant elements of popular culture. The chicken race has been recreated in a wide range of films, including the John Waters '50s spoof, Crybaby. The classy cars ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at digitallyOBSESSED.com (Dan Heaton)

Light Views, Reviews & Previews (John Larsen)

More than 40 years after its release, "Rebel Without a Cause" still packs quite a wallop. Even though its story and situations may be outdated, who can deny the star power of the film? Here was James Dean, hot off of "East of Eden," playing what has ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Light Views, Reviews & Previews (John Larsen)

Nicholas Amado

Rebel Without A Cause spoke to an entire generation of young men and women, struggling with thier own identities, while living in the confining 1950s. It taught them how to speak for themself, laugh at authority and wear blue jeans. But that generation ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Nicholas Amado

Movie Gazette (Gary Panton)

It's dated, sure - but there's still plenty of cause for all movie-lovers to check this one out. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Movie Gazette (Gary Panton)

Lars Lindahl

Not only does "Rebel Without a Cause" display these universal emotions for all to relate to but it also shows that America has suffered a uniqe pattern in its social structure. Each generation looks at its past generation without a strong connection. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Lars Lindahl

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

James Dean shouts these words in an anguished howl that seems to owe more to acting class than to his character, the rebellious and causeless Jim Stark in "Rebel Without a Cause." Because he died in a car crash a month before the movie opened in 1955, ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

CinemaScreen (James Salter)

In his brief twenty-four years of life, James Dean starred in seven movies. One of the best known and most widely acclaimed of these is Rebel Without a Cause. The film made him a legend. Dean plays Jim Stark, a character named after both him and his ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at CinemaScreen (James Salter)

Joe Bob's Ultimate B Movie Guide (Joe Bob Briggs)

This is the film that defined the culture of an entire generation, representing the bonds that unite all troubled and troublesome teenagers, and the divisions that separate them from the world of adults. James Dean is the most charismatic fifties loner ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Joe Bob's Ultimate B Movie Guide (Joe Bob Briggs)

DVDwolf (Rob Paul)

A little stale by todays standards but there are still moments that stand out. Better than watching most of the pulp-teen-flicks out there. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at DVDwolf (Rob Paul)

Austin Chronicle (Marjorie Baumgarten)

Ray, who told stories that were 'bigger than life' and pulsing with 'hot blood,' was one of the most dynamic directors of the American screen. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marjorie Baumgarten)

Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice

You're tearing me apart!There ought to be some sort of law that states something to the effect of the following. If you have a role in a dramatic movie deemed to be a classic, you shouldn't be allowed to then go ahead and typecast yourself in a silly ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice

ToxicUniverse.com (John Nesbit)

Be sure to check out the DVD version for some background features. One of the short clips shows James Dean ironically promoting automobile safety a few short weeks before he will be killed in a car accident. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at ToxicUniverse.com (John Nesbit)

JWR (S. James Wegg)

Watching Rebel Without a Cause in 2005 reveals a great truth about art: even though nothing has changed in the production (unlike live performances that can never be recreated; at best captured on tape or disc), the world around it has, yielding rich ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at JWR (S. James Wegg)

Doug Pratt's Laserdisc Review

The documentary is not as extensive as The James Dean Story, but it gives a decent summary of his life and produces a few choice reminiscences. The most interesting commentary offered is the suggestion that Dean's death also robbed us of Marlon ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Doug Pratt's Laserdisc Review

Long Che Chan

When Rebel Without a Cause was released, it was a novelty. It was one of the very first mainstream films to depict the turmoil of adolescence. Prior to this movie, Hollywood avoided any difficult themes and every family on screen was a template for the ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Long Che Chan

Urban Cinefile (Andrew L. Urban)

Jim Stark (James Dean) is the new kid in town. He has a past that troubles him, and hopes to find a replacement love for what's missing at home. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Urban Cinefile (Andrew L. Urban)

Stomp Tokyo

One of our older friends, now fifty-something, once related the experience of seeing Rebel Without a Cause for the first time: "I stumbled out of the theater, just in shock... people my age came up to me and said, 'What's it about?' and all I could ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Stomp Tokyo

filmcritic.com (Don Willmott)

Rebel Without a Cause, the second of the three films James Dean starred in before his untimely death, is the movie that made him an instant legend. Released just 27 days after his fatal car crash, the film froze him in time and later took on even more ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at filmcritic.com (Don Willmott)

Critic Reviews

Rebel Without a Cause (1955) Rank 4 Reviews

User Reviews

User Comments

RANKINGS: