James Dean: Race with Destiny (1997): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1997, James Dean: Race with Destiny is a drama and tv movie film directed by Mardi Rustam, running about 101 minutes. “A deserted road. A deadly crash. A legend is born.” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. Casper Van Dien of Starship Troopers stars as James Dean, whose remarkable talent and rebel attitude took Hollywood by storm. But as Dean's star begins to rise, his passionate affair with Italian ingenue Pier Angeli (Carrie Mitchum of The Bold and the Beautiful) angers her disapproving mother (Academy Award nominee Diane Ladd) and studio chief Jack Warner (Mike Connors). How did a broken heart, reckless behavior and his relationships with Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo and director George Stevens (the legendary Robert Mitchum in his final screen role) lead to Dean's ultimate race with destiny? Connie Stevens, Joseph Campanella and Casey Kasem co-star in this revealing biopic that goes behind the myth to tell the true story of the superstar who lived fast, died young and left a legacy that changed movies forever.

Who’s in it. James Dean: Race with Destiny stars Casper Van Dien as James Dean, Carrie Mitchum as Pier Angeli, Diane Ladd as Mama Pierangeli and Mike Connors as Jack Warner, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, James Dean: Race with Destiny has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch James Dean: Race with Destiny page.

If you liked it. Fans of James Dean: Race with Destiny tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.