Product Review

Young director Robert Altman headed this in-depth documentary look at James Dean through his early television guest spots, movies, and interviews with the people who knew him best. Featured are outtakes from his three starring roles of East of Eden, clips from Rebel Without A Cause, and footage from the opening night of Giant. We also see rare footage from Dean's role in the 1951 religious TV special "Hill Number One" and an ironic television PSA stressing driving safety filmed shortly before his death. Robert Altman shows his burgeoning directorial skills in a re-creation of James Dean's fatal car crash. Created shortly after Dean's death, the documentary is an informative time capsule into the legendary star's short life.