REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE - Nicholas Ray, 1955

ABOUT THE FILM

The first and possibly greatest teen-movie of them all, not least because it stars a young and charismatic James Dean at the height of his powers. Dean had become a symbol to an alienated generation even more so when he died soon after this film was made in a 100 mph car crash on a public highway. He was 24 years old. He plays Jim Stark who has caused his family to move from place to place because he is a restless and disaffected troublemaker.

The film is set amidst all the affluence of 50s America. Everyone seems to be well off in this film but there is a breakdown of communication between parents and children and a sense of violence and despair. Jim and his parents settle in Los Angeles but as the film opens, Jim is lying drunk in the street cradling a mechanical monkey. He is taken to the police station where he first sees the two other leads in the film, Judy and Plato. Judy has had a quarrel with her father and she has been picked up for walking around after curfew and Plato is a disturbed rich kid arrested for shooting a litter of puppies. He lives in a big house with only a maid for company. His father has left his mother and shows no interest in Plato. His mother is always away even on this day which is his birthday. Jim's main problem is his overbearing mother and weak but well-meaning father who is not an adequate role model for the teenage boy. Jim goes to his father for advice but he is to be found as usual with an apron over his suit tidying up furiously in fear of his wife. The policeman he speaks to at the station, Officer Ray, is sympathetic to Jim especially after he meets Jim's quarrelling parents and unpleasant grandmother.

Jim is interested in Judy whom he meets again on his first day at the new high school. Judy goes out with the young gang leader Buzz. Jim and Buzz get into an unresolved knife fight during a visit to the Planetarium. They then organise a midnight 'chicken run' and Buzz gets killed. His friends vow vengeance on Jim. He takes Judy home and then returns to his parents where he tries to convince them that he should own up to what happened. They do not want him to do this and appalled by their lack of integrity, Jim ends up violently attacking his father.

Jim tries to confess at the police station but no one wants to listen and Officer Ray is out on a call. Jim, Judy and Plato hide out in a ruined mansion and create a lost paradise for themselves, happy and secure and away from all the pressures of life. Members of Buzz's gang track them down and the terrified Plato who has his father's gun with him shoots one of them. The police arrive and Jim tries to calm the situation down...

TASKS AND ACTIVITIES

Provide a character sketch of Jim, Judy and Plato and their family problems. How would you deal with their respective situations?

What do you think of the way sex and sexuality is explored in this film?

Representing adolescence on screen was very new in 1955. How successful do you think the film is in portraying teenage characters and culture? Do you think the film has dated and if so why? Listen closely to the dialogue in the film between parents and children. Take one scene from the film and re-write it for a modern audience. Would you change much?

What other teen movies can you think of? Name four others and say what they have in common with this film.

The use of colour is very important in this film. Say what colours are important, who wears them and what you think they mean? When, for example, does Jim first put on his red jacket?

Jim, Judy and Plato seem to create an alternative 'family' whilst they are in the deserted mansion. How and why do they do this? Why is this scene so important in the film?

James Dean is only one of many icons who have died tragically young. Can you think of others? Why are people so fascinated by them?

What is James Dean's image exactly? How influential has he been on fashion, teenagers and film? Can you think of other modern-day influences?

If you made this film today who would you cast in the three main roles and how might you change aspects of the story to bring it up-to-date? Write a 150 word synopsis.