From Here to Eternity is a 1953 American romantic war drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann and written by Daniel Taradash, based on the 1951 novel of the same name by James Jones. The film deals with the tribulations of three United States Army soldiers, played by Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, and Frank Sinatra, stationed in Hawaii in the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The supporting cast includes Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed, who portray the women in their lives.
The film was a success at the box office, grossing $30.5 million and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of 1953 and the decade. It won a Best Picture Academy Award, as well as awards for Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Frank Sinatra), Best Supporting Actress (Donna Reed), Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography.
The story is set at an Army barracks in Hawaii and follows the lives of the soldiers and their relationships with the women in their lives. The film is known for its realistic portrayal of the soldiers' experiences and the complex relationships between the characters. One of the most famous scenes in the film is the beach "make-out" scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr, which was considered steamy for its time.
Plot
"From Here to Eternity" (1953) follows three intertwined storylines, focusing on the lives of soldiers and their relationships with the women in their lives. The plot revolves around the lives of three United States Army soldiers stationed in Hawaii in the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The main plotlines are as follows:
Pvt. Angelo Maggio (Frank Sinatra): Angelo is a young soldier who is naive and easily influenced. He becomes involved in a relationship with a local woman, Jeannie Doyle (Deborah Kerr), and his life is changed forever.
Sgt. James 'Fatso' Judson (Burt Lancaster): Fatso is a hardened and brutal sergeant who runs the military prison on the base. He becomes involved in a power struggle with Pvt. Angelo Maggio, leading to a tense relationship between the two characters.
Lt. Col. Calder (Montgomery Clift): Calder is a career officer who is married to a woman, Alma (Donna Reed), back home. He becomes involved in an affair with another woman on the base, leading to further complications in his life.
The story explores the complex relationships between the characters, as well as the private battles they face. The film also delves into the events of December 7th at Pearl Harbor and how they affect the lives of the soldiers and their loved ones. The plot is characterized by its melodramatic nature, heavy-handed dialogue, and contrived characterization, but it also holds potential for human themes regarding men's principles and love.
Trailer
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Cast
- Burt Lancaster as Sgt. Milton Warden
- Montgomery Clift as Robert E. Lee "Prew" Prewitt
- Deborah Kerr as Karen Holmes
- Donna Reed as Alma Burke / Lorene
- Frank Sinatra as Angelo Maggio
- Philip Ober as Captain Dana "Dynamite" Holmes
- Mickey Shaughnessy as Corporal Leva
- Ernest Borgnine as Staff Sergeant James R. "Fatso" Judson
- Jack Warden as Corporal Buckley
- John Dennis as Sergeant Ike Galovitch
- Merle Travis as Private Sal Anderson
- Tim Ryan as Sergeant Pete Karelsen
- Arthur Keegan as Treadwell
- Barbara Morrison as Mrs. Kipfer
- George Reeves as Sergeant Maylon Stark (uncredited)
- Claude Akins as Sergeant "Baldy" Dhom (uncredited)
- Alvin Sargent as Nair (uncredited)
- Robert J. Wilke as Sergeant Henderson (uncredited)
- Carleton Young as Colonel Ayres (uncredited)
- Kristine Miller as Georgette (uncredited).
Producer: Buddy Adler
Writer: James Jones, Daniel Taradash
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 5, 1953
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Themes & Reception
"From Here to Eternity" (1953) is a film that explores various themes and has received mixed reviews from critics. Some of the main themes and aspects of the film include:
Rebellion: The film follows characters who rebel against the established system, either through their personal relationships or within the military hierarchy.
Complex relationships: The movie delves into the intricate relationships between the soldiers and their loved ones, showcasing the emotional depth and complexity of their connections.
War and its impact: The film portrays the lives of soldiers during the days leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack, highlighting the harsh realities of war and its effects on the people involved.
Human themes: The film explores human themes regarding men's principles and love, which hold potential for a deeper understanding of the characters and their struggles.
The film has been praised for its realistic portrayal of military life and its exploration of complex themes. However, some critics argue that the pacing is uneven, the transitions between storylines are convoluted, and the dialogue is heavy-handed.
Despite these challenges, the film's compelling storylines and exploration of human themes regarding men's principles and love were acknowledged as having the potential for a grace that was ahead of its time in dramatic filmmaking.
Challenges Faced
The film From Here to Eternity faced several challenges, as highlighted by critics. Some of the challenges include uneven pacing, convoluted transitions between storylines, contrived characterization, and heavy-handed dialogue.
These elements led to a sense of melodrama and limited subtlety in storytelling, which affected the overall impact of the film.
Visual Styles & Techniques
The film's storytelling is characterized by melodrama and heavy-handed dialogue, which may have affected the overall impact of the film. The film's focus on the lives of soldiers and their relationships with the women in their lives is portrayed in a realistic manner, showcasing the harsh realities of military life. The film's portrayal of the events leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack is also noted for its realism and attention to detail.
Setting
The setting of "From Here to Eternity" (1953) is primarily on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, in the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. The film showcases various locations on the island, including the Schofield Barracks military base, the surrounding beaches, and the city of Honolulu.
The film's portrayal of the island is noted for its realism and attention to detail, showcasing the natural beauty of the island and the harsh realities of military life. The setting of the film plays a significant role in the story, as it provides the backdrop for the soldiers' lives and their relationships with the women in their lives.
Trivia
- The film was based on the 1951 novel of the same name by James Jones.
- The beach scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr was considered steamy for its time and was added to the film as a way to combat Deborah Kerr's typecasting as a Proper Lady in Gorgeous Period Dress.
- The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Frank Sinatra), and Best Supporting Actress (Donna Reed).
- The film's portrayal of military life and the events leading up to the Pearl Harbor attack is noted for its realism and attention to detail.
- The film's heavy-handed dialogue and melodramatic nature have been criticized by some critics.
- The film was a commercial and critical success, grossing $30.5 million and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the decade.
- The film's cast includes several notable actors, including Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, and Frank Sinatra.
- The film's portrayal of the soldiers' lives and their relationships with the women in their lives is noted for its emotional depth and complexity.
Fun Fact
The famous beach scene where Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr kiss in "From Here to Eternity" was initially considered highly scandalous but has since become one of the most iconic moments in film history.
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