The theme of the teenager as an alienated victim of family and society has never been done better than in this classic drama. James Dean gives a superb performance as a frustrated youth from a well-to-do family, who rebels against his weak father and shrewish mother with such delinquent behaviour as boozing, knife-fighting and racing hot rods in hazardous games of "chicken". Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo also stand out in an excellent, youthful cast that's wonderfully controlled by director Nicholas Ray. But it's Dean who remains most memorable, and his heartfelt portrayal epitomised his tragically short career.

After moving to a new town, troublemaking teen Jim Stark is supposed to have a clean slate, although being the new kid in town brings its own problems. While searching for some stability, Stark forms a bond with a disturbed classmate, Plato, and falls for local girl Judy. However, Judy is the girlfriend of neighborhood tough, Buzz. When Buzz violently confronts Jim and challenges him to a drag race, the new kid's real troubles begin.