East of Eden 1954

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East of Eden ★★★★ 1954

Steinbeck's contemporary retelling of the biblical Cain and Abel story receives superior treatment from Kazan and his excellent cast. Dean, in his first starring role, gives a reading of a young man's search for love and acceptance that defines adolescent pain. Though filmed in the 1950s, this story still rivets today's viewers with its emotional message. 115m/C VHS, DVD . James Dean, Julie Harris, Richard (Dick) Davalos, Raymond Massey, Jo Van Fleet, Burl Ives, Albert Dekker; D: Elia Kazan; W: Paul Osborn; M: Leonard Rosenman. Oscars '55: Support. Actress (Van Fleet); Golden Globes '56: Film—Drama.