East of Eden
(DVD)

Title from container.

Originally released as a motion picture in 1955.

Based on the novel by John Steinbeck.

Special features: New 50th anniversary documentary 'East of Eden: art in search of life" documentary; "Forever James Dean" vintage documentary; additional scenes; screen tests; wardrobe tests, costume and production design gallery; 3/19/55 New York Premiere footage.

Director of photography, Ted McCord ; art directors, James Basevi, Malcolm Bert ; editor, Owen Marks ; music, Leonard Rosenman.

Julie Harris, James Dean, Raymond Massey, Burl Ives, Richard Davalos, Jo Van Fleet, Albert Dekker, Lois Smith, Harold Gordon, Nick Dennis.

Cal Trask is considered the "bad" son of taciturn Salinas Valley lettuce farmer Adam Trask. Although Cal always means well, he just can't stay out of trouble. Neither is Cal able to match the high esteem in which his father holds his "good" brother Aron. Only Aron's girl friend Abra and kindly old Doctor Sam seem to be able to see the essential goodness in the troublesome Cal. In an effort to win his father's love, Cal purchases a fresh lettuce crop to replace the ruined beans that threatened to bankrupt his family. But Adam rejects the gift and comes to realizes that Cal knows that Kate is Cal and Aron's mother, whom both boys thought was long dead.

MPAA rating: Not rated (Original rating); PG; for thematic elements and some violent content (2005 rating)

DVD, region 1, widescreen presentation; Dolby Digital.

English or dubbed French dialogue, English subtitles; closed-captioned.

Academy Awards, USA, 1956: Oscar - Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Jo Van Fleet)