James Dean: Ultimate Collector's Edition

Hollywood legend James Dean (1931-1955) only made three films during his tragically short career, all for Warner Bros., and debuting on Blu-ray in this handsome boxed set. Dean burst onto the silver screen with Elia Kazan's superb 1955 adaptation of John Steinbeck's East of Eden, an update of the Cain and Abel story. The Oscar-nominated Dean plays Cal Trask, a moody, neurotic, lettuce farmer's son, who vies with his virtuous brother, Aron (Dick Davalos), for the favor of their father, Adam (Raymond Massey). But Dean's most iconic role would come later the same year with his iconic Oscar-nominated performance as a troubled misunderstood teen named Jim who winds up in a standoff with the law in Nicholas Ray's 1955 Rebel Without a Cause, which costarred Sal Mineo and Natalie Wood (all three leads would meet untimely deaths: Dean in a car crash, Mineo murdered, and Wood drowning in a mystery-shrouded boating accident). Dean's last film—and final Academy Award nomination—was George Stevens' 1956 Giant, based on Edna Ferber's tri-generational epic novel chronicling the volatile relationship between Bick Benedict (Rock Hudson), representing the old Texas of immense cattle ranches; Jett Rink (Dean)—the original JR—personifying the new Texas shaped by oil money; and the woman loved by both men, Benedict's wife from the East, Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor). Sporting fine transfers, extras across the discs include audio commentaries, documentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews, deleted scenes, screen and wardrobe tests, and more. Although all three titles are available separately on Blu-ray, this set features two exclusive bonus documentaries—James Dean: Forever Young (narrated by Martin Sheen) and the American Masters entry James Dean: Sense Memories—as well as a commemorative photo book. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (R. Pitman)