Rebel Without a Cause (1955) Rank 5 Reviews

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]

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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)

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 (--)

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 (--)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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

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

Apollo Guide (Dan Jardine)

There is a moment in Rebel Without a Cause when James Dean, playing angst-ridden teenage rebel Jim Stark, peers over a cliff as if spying his future. Looking much like one imagines Holden Caulfield (hero of J.D. Salinger's template for disaffected ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Apollo Guide (Dan Jardine)

Boxoffice Magazine

Because of his outstanding, widely acclaimed performance in "East of Eden" and because of the additional public interest generated by his recent, deplorable, tragic death, the name of James Dean in the title role should in itself assure a profitable ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Boxoffice Magazine

San Francisco Chronicle (Peter Stack)

Every decade -- but not more often -- they ought to dust off and polish up ``Rebel Without a Cause,'' the famous wallow in alienated teen life. The melodrama may be stilted, but the film still breathes like a hurt, brooding animal. It's an indelible ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Peter Stack)

DVD MovieGuide

For many of us who weren't born until long after the Fifties ended, we've been stuck with a Happy Days view of the decade. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at DVD MovieGuide

Guardian/Observer

"Apart from the melodramatic music and homosexual undertow "Rebel" remains a camp, iconoclastic response to Sunset Boulevard and the crass ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Guardian/Observer

DVDBeaver

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 DVDBeaver

LeisureSuit.net

Father-son relationships need not be complicated to be profound. There need not be abuse, or drunkenness, or teenage rebellion for a father's ghost to wander the battlements of his son's psychological castle. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at LeisureSuit.net

Film Threat (Brad Laidman)

East of Eden is definitely the stronger movie, but this performance is likely to be the one that tugged and forever defined the unexplainable angst of youth. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Film Threat (Brad Laidman)

Three Movie Buffs (Eric Nash)

A classic film due to James Deans presence. An interesting film in that it demonstrates how teenagers really have not changed. Every generation grows up with similar problems. Its just to bad not every generation has such a charismatic actor as James ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Three Movie Buffs (Eric Nash)

Time Out

Dean's finest film, hardly surprisingly in that Ray was one of the great '50s directors. The story, much imitated since, might sound like nothing much - unsettled adolescent from good home can't keep himself out of trouble, and gets involved with bad ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Time Out

Apollo Movie Guide (Dan Jardine)

Jim Stark is angry, confused and lonely. In other words, he's a typical teen. This film has some potent and poetic moments between the melodrama, and is worth seeing if just for the remarkable performances by James Dean and Sal Mineo. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Apollo Movie Guide (Dan Jardine)

filmcritic.com

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

filmsgraded.com (Brian Koller)

"Rebel Without a Cause" had an outstanding, if unfortunate, promotional gimmick. Young, charismatic lead James Dean, his star on the rise from his performance in the highly successful "East of Eden", died in a car accident less than a month before ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at filmsgraded.com (Brian Koller)

DVD MovieGuide

For many of us who werenâ��t born until long after the Fifties ended, weâ��ve been stuck with a Happy Days view of the decade. It always has been portrayed as a very clean-cut, innocent time with none of the angst or rebellion apparent during the more ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at DVD MovieGuide

DVDnett.no

Rebel without a cause - eller RotlÃ¸s ungdom, som nordmenn best kjenner den som - er klassikeren fra 1955 som var med pÃ¥ Ã¥ etablere James Deans image som ensom og fÃ¸lsom ulv - en typisk "loner". Han ble de utstÃ¸tte individualisters forbilde, og ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at DVDnett.no

MCA DiscoVision Library

Rebel Without a Cause was part of the Warner Home Video Catalog to be announced on DiscoVision and was included in the original Silver Catalog. Of all the titles which were announced, only 2 were ever mastered or pressed. Rebel Without a Cause was ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at MCA DiscoVision Library

Salon.com (Andrew O'Hehir)

"Schizo": Meet the James Dean of Central Asia If you can imagine "Rebel Without a Cause" transported to the desolate Central Asian steppes of the former Soviet Union, that movie would be "Schizo," the impressive debut feature from Kazakh director Guka ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Salon.com (Andrew O'Hehir)

Damox Movie Review

To this film's credit, elements from it have been imitated many times over the past fifty years, from Back to the Future (main character won't let people get away with calling him a chicken) to The Simpsons and just about everything in between. The ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at Damox Movie Review

DVDownUnder (Cass)

James Dean! The legendary god from the 50's. In what can only be described as the biggest blockbuster of his career. Why? I'm not quite sure yet. ...read the complete Rebel Without a Cause movie review at DVDownUnder (Cass)

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