This actor, who disappeared at the age of 27, will never see the film that made him a movie legend

James Dean made three major feature films between 1954 and 1955, and all of them are available Max platform. All are great films, but one of them has a unique aura, and that is Nicholas Ray’s teenage drama The Fury for Life.

generational conflict

Jim Stark, 17, was arrested for public intoxication. Newly arrived in Los Angeles, he tries to integrate into his new high school, but becomes angry with Buzz, the leader of a small gang that rules the institution. Then two young men get into a knife fight and Jimmy spirals into violence.

During the filming of The Fury of Living, the first feature film starring James Dean was released: East of Eden, a story of generational conflict between a son and a father. The film instantly makes Dean a symbol of rebellion between the old and new generations in America’s transition.

Nicholas Ray (who previously directed Johnny Guitar or The Indomitables) immediately recognized the young audience’s ability to identify with James Dean and decided to let him improvise some of his scenes, especially the scene where he plays with a small stuffed monkey while climbing. on the spot that will become the opening credits.

A young man’s face without reference

James Dean is one of the faces of “method acting”, as was Marlon Brando at the time. In short, this method aims to understand the character’s aspirations and deepest feelings in order to immerse himself in them and embody them as best as possible on screen or on stage. James Dean’s acting is as groundbreaking in East of Eden as it is in The Fury of Living.

The latter also embodies the discomfort of American youth in the face of conventions and social restrictions that no longer suit them. Rock ‘n’ roll is on the rise, the ’60s and sexual liberation are creeping in, and James Dean is becoming it all, especially in Nicholas Ray’s film where he plays the real thing. bad boy Desperate, “a rebel without a cause,” as the original title suggests.

Dean would never see The Fury of Life released, as he died in a car accident on September 30, 1955, a month before the film’s US theatrical release, aged just 27. He recently finished shooting scenes for his latest feature film, Giant, directed by George Stevens.