Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck considered East of Eden his quintessential novel. At more than six hours, this sumptuous production brings Steinbeck’s bestseller to the screen more fully and faithfully than any other adaptation. Sweeping from Connecticut to California and from the Civil War to World War I, it follows three generations of the tumultuous Trask family: patriarch Cyrus (Warren Oates); his feuding sons, Adam and Charles (Timothy Bottoms, Bruce Boxleitner); and quarrelsome grandsons, Aron and Cal (Hart Bochner, Sam Bottoms). Through these men’s lives slithers Cathy (Jane Seymour) -- a she-serpent who holds their love and enmity. With a cast that includes Lloyd Bridges, Howard Duff, Anne Baxter, and Karen Allen, this saga explores the nature of good and evil, the origin of sin, and the hope of reconciliation. In its ambitious themes, pervasive Biblical allusions, and abiding reverence for the land, East of Eden stands as a timeless American epic.
Winner of an Emmy® for best art direction and Golden Globes® for best miniseries and best actress.
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE exclusive interview with Jane Seymour, biography of John Steinbeck, and cast filmographies.
Description of East of Eden:
Bringing to life the bestselling novel by Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck, this TV adaptation faithfully follows the history of the Trask family from the Civil War to World War II. A recreation of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, East of Eden follows estranged half-brothers Adam and Charles (Timothy Bottoms and Bruce Boxleitner) as they reunite after the death of their father, Cyrus (Warren Oates). They live together on their father’s land, constantly quarreling, when they meet the manipulative and beautiful Cathy Ames (Jane Seymour), a prostitute with a dark past. The theme of good versus evil runs rampant throughout and entangles itself in the Trask family legacy through each generation. Jane Seymour’s brilliant portrayal of Cathy through three decades, from young runaway to aging mother, earned her a Golden Globe. Fans of Steinbeck and Seymour alike will be pleased with this retelling which won an Emmy for best art direction and Golden Globe for best miniseries. This three-disc set features a biography on John Steinbeck, exclusive interview with Jane Seymour, and cast filmographies. --Amanda Faddis
East of Eden Reviews:
Best adaptation of John Steinbecks book 
2009-10-28 - This is a fantastic miniseries and true to the spirit of what would be John Steinbecks best book.
Not much more to say, watch it.
Faithful adaptation of a great American novel
2009-10-05 - If you love the book "East of Eden", the most ambitious novel written by the great Steinbeck, then you must watch this lenghty (6 hours or so) series. It is the most faithful adaptation out there and much more rewarding for fans of the book than the old James Dean movie. All the key characters and passages of the book are included. A few details and timing are changed from the book, but to good effect. I watched this after reading the book and it was delightful to see how well so many aspects of the book were filmed. This series is an artistic success and the producers really cared about the material. The acting is good to great - Jane Seymour is awesome as a very beautiful and very evil Kathy - a Golden Globe winning performance! - and the adorable Samuel Hamilton comes to life beautifully with Lloyd Bridges. I was also pleased to see that Lee, the chinese servant, was given his proper importance in this adaptation.
The music score is also very memorable and classy. It is a difficult CD to find but I plan to have it as well. The main theme ("opening theme") is memorable and set the emotional tone for this sprawling sage of love, betraial and reconciliation. I also love the track "Enigma" (the one with a beautiful piano first heard when Kathy is seducing the Boston "gentleman").
After watching all the six hours of this epic, it is hard not to think that at end of the day, Steinbeck would be proud of all the significant effort and talent that have been gathered to render his creation on the screen. Five stars!
Paradise Lost 
2009-10-05 - Neither of the East of Eden films is much good -- but that's mostly because the book is so overwrought. This series means well, but has a number of flaws, some of them just because time has passed. The television of that day seems to have decided that all period films should have a kind of milky veil over them -- and this is no exception. The acting is second rate for the most part -- it is all ACTING. The men (with the exception of Lloyd Bridges, who is great in a role designed to be over the top) are all castrates -- none of them are believable men. They appear to have been told to ACT SENSITIVE.
The controversial role is Jane Seymour -- the best thing about her is the first half, where she really does a good job -- there is something about her porcelain face and hard eyes that makes it work. The first scene with Howard Duff is the best thing in the whole series -- it is completely shocking. And the rest of her scenes with him are also delightful. The real problem is that her husband is so dreadfully wimpy that you can hardly wait for her to shoot him -- this is supposed to be the quintessence of evil, but the viewer sees quite clearly how rational and sane she is to be free. No outrage occurs. The second half of her character is absurd -- mostly because the makeup lets her down. The secret room (where she spins her web of evil) is, however, a great thing.
The last scene of the series is completely hilarious (a supposedly moving death bed repentance). It underscores how absurdly SIGNPOSTED the DEEP THEME is.
One bonus is Karen Allen in an early role. One of the hideous tragedies of Hollywood has been to do so little with her.
It's hard to watch this whole thing. It should have worked a treat, but doesn't. The blame: Steinbeck's hopeless attempt to do "EPIC".
East of Eden
2009-10-03 - This is a very good movie. I like how it shows a persons life and why they are the way they are. Why someone treats people the way they do. How life has a little surprise for the way you treat people and the way they treat you back.
Dark movie 
2009-08-17 - I loooove historical film, especially with romantic relationships. I based my purchase on Jane Seymour, who usually plays "romantic fluff"(no great actress). I have read Steinbeck, but not this particular book...MY FIRST MISTAKE. I can appreciate all who reviewed and their analytical reviews with several "stars', but, if you are a romantic female stay away from this one! LOL
