Toward the end of 2012, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced the release of a slew of fan favorite movies and box sets from over the years, many of them hitting Blu-ray for the first time. Among these were some recent favorites, including a full trilogy of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films and the extended edition of The Hobbit, as well as some actor specific releases, including the Clint Eastwood DVD and Blu-ray collections. The new sets are being put together as part of Warner Bros.’ 90th Anniversary celebration, and on November 5, the company has plans to release one based on the work of James Dean.
Dean has become an icon in cinema over the years, even though he only produced three well-known films in his lifetime, before his run was cut short at the ripe age of 24 due to a car accident. Each of these three films--Giant, East of Eden, and the now-infamous Rebel without a Cause--were all conveniently produced by Warner Bros. and will be available in the brand new James Dean Ultimate Collector’s Edition set. The films will each be debuting on Blu-ray for the first time along with the Collector’s Edition set, which is kind of a big deal. The original negatives for each of the three films were used to re-master the movies to 4K quality.
The Blu-ray sets will be limited and numbered so that buyers know just how exclusive the James Dean Ultimate Collector’s Edition is. The list price for the set is $99.98, which is a lot of money for a set that only features three movies. To spice things up a little, Warner Bros. is also adding three documentaries about the star’s life: James Dean Forever Young, narrated by Martin Sheen;American Masters James Dean Sense Memories and George Stevens: A Filmmaker’s Journey. Additionally, a 48-page photo book will be included with the set offering behind-the-scenes glimpses and a slew of bonus features will accompany each of the theatrical Blu-ray movies.
Over the years, Dean’s charisma and charm onscreen has made him an icon. Obviously, he wasn't able to get as many films completed as he would have hoped, but if you don’t already own Giant, East of Eden, and Rebel without a Cause, the Collector’s Edition should be a great way to view the movies in the new millennium. You can pre-order the James Dean Ultimate Collector’s Edition over at Amazon or check out the list of bonus features, below.
East of Eden Blu-ray Bonus Features
- Commentary by Richard Schickel
- "Forever James Dean" [1987 Documentary]
- "East of Eden: Art in Search of Life"
- Screen Tests
- Richard Davalos" [Wardrobe Test]
- "James Dean and Richard Davalos" [Wardrobe Test]
- "James Dean, Richard Davalos and Julie Harris" [Wardrobe Test]
- "James Dean and Lois Smith" [Wardrobe Test]
- "Lois Smith" [Wardrobe Test]
- "James Dean and Jo Van Fleet" [Wardrobe Test]
- "Jo Van Fleet" [Wardrobe Test]
- "Costumes and Production Design" [Wardrobe Test]
- Deleted Scenes
- 3/9/1955 NYC Premiere
Rebel without a Cause Blu-ray Bonus Features
- Commentary By Douglas L. Rathgeb
- Documentary "James Dean Remembered" [1974 TV Special]
- Documentary "Rebel Without A Cause: Defiant Innocents"
- Dennis Hopper Interview NEW!
- Screen Tests
- Wardrobe Tests
- Deleted Scenes
- "Behind The Cameras: Natalie Wood"
- "Behind The Cameras: Jim Backus"
- "Behind The Cameras: James Dean"
- Theatrical Trailers
Giant Blu-ray Bonus Features
- Introduction by George Stevens Jr.
- Commentary by George Stevens Jr., Ivan Moffat and Stephen Farber
- “George Stevens: Filmmakers Who Knew Him"
