Wow — what a powerful film — featuring a very young James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo and spanning a 24 hour period in the life of teens in Los Angeles.

The movie was released in 1955, a month after star James Dean died in a car crash, and has become synonymous with the image of a fast, out-of-control life.  In Rebel Without a Cause, Dean played a troubled teen who didn’t understand the world around him, nor how to fit in.  Many people think that sums up his life as well.

Ironically, some of the appeal of the movie may come from the tragic death of the three stars.  Dean from a car crash, Natalie Wood from drowning, and Sal Mineo from a stabbing.

The American Film Institute chose the movie as one of the all-time Top 100 American Films.  It would be on my list.  Watch the trailer and see if you agree.