James Dean

Seriously sensitive TV-movie starring Stephen McHattie as actor James Dean and Michael Brandon as William Bast, a fellow student at UCLA and Dean's pre-stardom roommate. The film chronicles Dean's inauspicious work as a drama student--doing shaky Shakespeare on stage--and the years following once Dean relocated to New York City and was accepted into the exclusive Actor's Studio, which lead him to Broadway and then back to Hollywood. Bast himself wrote the teleplay, and he's very careful to show the many complex sides of Dean--the prankster, the romantic, the artist committed to his craft, the jerk--as well as the "Star Is Born"-like friendship which developed between the two men. Bast, a failed actor who took on writing jobs, grew to respect and love his friend, however, without any apparent envy or jealousy (although he's often shown playing the third wheel). Brandon has a tough job acting as the author's surrogate, but he does so without self-pity; his acceptance of his friend as America's newest star is casual and natural, with no melodrama. The film begins with a symbolic dream (never a good idea) and features sketchy episodes with a handful of the women in Dean's life, but the main focus is on the relationship between Dean and Bast, and in those sequences the movie shines. McHattie, whose thin smile curls up at the corners like the Joker, bears a passing resemblance to Dean when seen from a distance, but up close he has to overcome features which are too pronounced; it's not an impersonation, and yet the performance we do get slowly grows on you. "James Dean" is an unusually literate and thoughtful drama, with an excellent supporting cast including Dane Clark, Meg Foster, Brooke Adams, Amy Irving, Katherine Helmond, Candy Clark and Leland Palmer.

I thought the movie proved to be very interesting, as I did not know James Deans movies and life story. The only complaint I have is the quality of the movie sound was awful.I would rate this film on a scale of 1-10 for acting ability, and continuity of story as a definite 10 hands down! Its just too bad that this was not made by a major studio film with higher production standards. The introduction of James Deans Sexuality was done tastefully ,and did not distract from the movies documentary of the actors life story. As a summary, a movie well worth watching and an enjoyable experience. When he (James Dean) learns about the death of the girl who wrote him about her problems, This was the turning point of his decent into total depression. At this point I feel this is when his career started to fall apart.

Not the life story of James Dean, but the story of Mr. Dean and writer William Bast. This is, in fact, their (partially veiled) love story. Mr. Bast was Dean's "best friend", "roommate", and/or "confidant" for the last five years of his life. James Dean and William Bast. Were they "just good friends" for five years? Not exactly. Bast wrote, and co-produced; and Robert Butler directed. The production is surprisingly high quality, considering the fact that this was a 1976 "TV movie". Frank Stanley's photography excels. It could have been a feature film. Perhaps, Bast preferred the guaranteed television audience, as a feature hinting at his sexual relationship with Dean would have been poorly received in most movie houses.

Michael Brandon (as Bast) and Stephen McHattie (as Dean) are very convincing, as the young friends. It's sometimes a little difficult to determine if the "The Little Prince and The Fox" knew what they were playing with fire; however, it seems obvious that director Butler had figured out Bast's direction. At first, it seems as if the duo's numerous lovely girlfriends are all Pier Angelis (red herrings); actually, they are realistic, and help explain the complicated Dean/Bast relationship.

The female supporting cast is pretty (and) numerous; Candy Clark (as Christine White) is one stand-out, believability-wise; note, the real-life Ms. White appears in a small role. Watch out for a very tender "barroom" scene with Leland Palmer (as Arlene), a disabled woman Dean takes for a ride.

Reality sets you free.

"James Dean" should have been nominated for several "Emmy" awards, especially considering the Brandon and McHattie lead performances, and the TV movie's relative production values. The film could be criticized for "holding back"; but, it could also be praised for being able to make its points without being explicit. Emotionally, at least, "James Dean" is clear; discerning what's left out isn't too difficult.

********* James Dean (2/19/76) William Bast ~ Michael Brandon, Stephen McHattie, Candy Clark, Leland Palmer

William Bast, friend and roommate of the late actor, James Dean, has scripted a series of memories about Dean in this tv movie of 1976. Told from Bast's point of view, Dean is depicted as an incredibly gifted talent, totally committed to his craft, and with an extraordinary degree of concentration in his work. Indeed, Dean's entire life objective here was to be the best possible actor.

That Dean was able to achieve so much in such a short span, while being completely uncompromising in his quest for artistic excellence, is remarkable. That he was able to do this while indulging in a totally nonconformist lifestyle, both in New York and Hollywood, is little short of amazing.

What Dean seemed to have going for him here was an endowment of genuine, natural talent, very good looks, and business-career acumen, which he could use to be both ingratiating and charming when required. It is said his presence and work in films had a great affect on the then leading exponent of the "method school of acting," Marlon Brando. Dean's early demise seemed to affect Brando's work significantly, as though it ended the Great Brando Period (1950-58) thereafter never to be restored.

While I appreciate the Dean legacy, I do feel that a life lived on-the-edge tends to be hard to sustain in the long run. It risks the possibility of soon "having the tail chase the dog": requiring one to forever live up to one's own public and private image. Existing in the fantasy world of acting is challenging enough without the added ingredient of rebellion to cope with. Dean's premature burnout and expiration seemed a direct consequence of his abnormally driving ambition and impregnably uncompromising stance. Thus, while we are the appreciative recipients of his rich legacy, he remains its ultimate sacrifice. The highly experienced Stephen McHattie shines as Dean, while the talented Michael Brandon portrays Dean's best friend, William Bast.

What a phenomenon Dean is. With only three major films to his credit, and his stage and tv work but a memory in the minds of a relative few, Dean is still able to enter into the ranks of screen immortals. Perhaps it was worth it after all.

This is Probably the best James Dean BIO since it was written and produced by his real life best friend William Bast. While actor Stephen Mchattie (who plays James Dean) doesn't look that much like him you still get the feeling its him especially around the time of Giant. This was the first to show Dean's flirting with homosexuality which was remarkable for 1976. William Bast has since written a new book called "Surviving James Dean" which go much farther in detail then any movie has gone. You can hear an interview with William Bast at http://writingshow.com/podcasts/Bill_Bast.mp3

I've seen this movie many times and you can probably get it on DVD at Walgreens for $1.00 since I saw it their last week.