IMDb > East of Eden (1955)
East of Eden
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East of Eden (1955) More at IMDbPro »

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East of Eden (1955) -- Open-ended Trailer from Warner Bros.
East of Eden (1955) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
8.1/10   11,320 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Elia Kazan
Writers:
John Steinbeck (novel)
Paul Osborn (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for East of Eden on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 April 1955 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama more
Tagline:
Of what a girl did . . . what a boy did ... of ecstasy and revenge! more
Plot:
In the Salinas Valley, in and around World War I, Cal Trask feels he must compete against overwhelming... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 7 wins & 9 nominations more
User Comments:
Simply superb. more (111 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
John Steinbeck's East of Eden (USA) (complete title)
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MPAA:
Rated PG for thematic elements and some violent content. (2005 re-issue)
Runtime:
115 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Warnercolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.55 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Perspecta Sound encoding) (35 mm optical prints) | 4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) (RCA Sound Recording)
Certification:
Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Germany:16 | Iceland:L | Spain:13 | UK:AA (1976) (cut) | UK:PG (video rating) | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #17086) | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | South Korea:15 | Sweden:11 (re-release) | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) | USA:PG (2005 re-issue)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
During the production of the film, Elia Kazan used to write letters to his friend John Steinbeck, with whom he had worked closely on the original screenplay for Viva Zapata! (1952), to keep him abreast of the film's progress. Steinbeck thought James Dean was a perfect Cal, and tremendously enjoyed the final film. more
Goofs:
Continuity: While Cal is talking to Abra on the roof, in the close-ups, the light in her bedroom is seemingly on, whereas in the wide shot, her room is pitch black. more
Quotes:
Kate: [after Cal asks why she shot his father] Because he tried to hold me, he tried to tie me down! Nobody holds me! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Kill the Poor (2003) more
Soundtrack:
Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile! more

FAQ

Chicago Opening Happened When?
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36 out of 53 people found the following comment useful.
Simply superb., 5 January 2000
10/10
Author: David Atfield (bits@alphalink.com.au) from Canberra, Australia

Elia Kazan deserved his recent honorary Oscar, no matter what political mistakes he may have made. He deserved it because he is one of the supreme artists of the cinema. His ability to draw superb performances from his actors, is coupled with an astonishing ability to depict these emotional states visually, through the use of camera angles, lighting and symbols. "East of Eden" must be seen in the widescreen format to truly appreciate its visual style. It is arresting, sometimes beautiful and always powerful.

Then there are the performances. James Dean's heartbreaking realization of Cal, consumed by jealousy; Jo Van Fleet's magnificent portrayal of his mother; Richard Davalos (why didn't we see more of him on the screen after this film?) innocent, virginal, doomed; Raymond Massey who has never been better in a multi-layered performance; Burl Ives' commanding police chief - and, as usual in a Kazan film, even the smallest part is played to perfection (who'll forget the girl in the brothel or the nurse at the end?). After seeing the film a few times I really appreciate the performance of Julie Harris too. I once thought her a little too mature for the role - but now I see how her reactions to the events really enhance the emotional impact of those events. Kazan allows her to be in frame during some of the most crucial encounters between Cal and his father - and her face tells a million stories. This is a true "supporting" performance - her performance helping Dean realize Cal. Brava Julie!

I'm a lot older now than when I first saw this film - but I still relate so strongly to the communication breakdown and the need for love between father and son. The improvement of my own relationship with my father makes me see the film differently but with no less emotion. Like all masterpieces this film does not date, we just see it differently as we age. This is undoubtedly one of my top five films. How about a theatrical revival? I have never seen it in a cinema. Remember see it in widescreen - not pan and scan.

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For those who read the book... hugeTCfan
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