"If East of Eden were remembered only for introducing to the screen its legendary star, James Dean, its place in film history would be assured. As it is, however, the techniques developed by the director (Elia Kazan) to capture and translate the actor's performance most effectively within a widescreen format also lend the film the artistic distinction of being one of the first serious attempts at a creative use of CinemaScope. (With) such devices as canting the camera to distort angles, swinging pans to sustain a sense of movement in stagy scenes, and unusually moody lighting effects, (Kazan's style was) a visual equivalent to the acting method pioneered by the Actors Studio, of which Kazan was a cofounder" (Stephen L. Hanson, International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers). Adapted from John Steinbeck's novel, the plot transposes the story of Cain and Abel to the Salinas Valley, focusing on two brothers' rivalry for their father's affection.