From Here To Eternity..4 Out Of 5From Here To Eternity is a plot driven feature about multiple characters with a thing in common and that is their judgement on right and wrong. The tale depicted in here is way too subtle for a cinematic experience, there isn't enough crisp and loudness for it to flaunt, and yet it still manages to leave a heavy impression on the audience, as it allows homework for them which when the curtain drops, pays off. It is rich on technical aspects like costume design, editing, songs and background score. The script in here is smarter for it doesn't compromise its quality for any commercial or in fact any aspects of the feature, delivering its own independent track that is, on beat. The adaptive screenplay Daniel Taradash knows the characters from the book well enough to offer them enough range and room to factor in effectively to the bigger picture. Fred Zinnemann; the director, as always has delivered it without flinching on going deep into the inner politics among the soldiers and has molded an art worth exploring through his brilliant execution skills. The star cast being aware of the magnitude of the opportunity on telling the tale, has given their all in which is clearly visible where Montgomery Clift, Donna Reed and Frank Sinatra stands along with stellar performances. From Here To Eternity is a justification to the title for its bold and gutsy move on following the story and not worry about the structure or format of the script.

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY is a very mature and touching drama about the lives of American soldiers. Intended brutality and a few vulgar in the film gives a realistic dimension. The film deals with the problems of soldiers, who are stationed in Hawaii during the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Trumpeter was transferred from the music division into unit "G" in Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu. When local captain learns of his reputation as a talented boxer, problems arise...In the story are woven 'empty' lives of professional soldiers, their love woes, selfishness and past. The film realistically points out the problems related to military career, personal frustration and sexuality. It's tough to be a soldier, but worse was to be a soldier's wife, or just a girl. I would never describe this movie as a tragic drama, but as quite realistic relationship in which a sick sense of belonging to something wins over life. Revolt and rebellion is certainly evident, but is repressed in the military system. What is interesting. Protagonists in this film you can not admire, but they are persistently trying to be understood.The director was somewhat restrained. I believe that Mr. Zinnermman did not want to answer the questions in the movie, but scratch the surface of the sensitive topic. In this he succeeded.The cast performance is generally good. Burt Lancaster as First Sergeant Milton Warden is married with army. The protagonist who is not able to accept anything that would undermine some of his concept of life, and above all duties. This is not solely about honesty. Sergeant rejects love. Deborah Kerr as Karen Holmes is a classy lady and passionate slut at the same time. A woman who was defeated between unsuccessful marriage and love in vain. The famous scene on the beach. Making love or is she touched his lips. The incoming tide.Montgomery Clift as Private Robert E. Lee "Prew" Prewitt He is sensitive protagonist. The young man haunted by the past, abused in the present and for him the future is uncertain. That his attitude that he has nowhere to go except into the army is quite bizarre. One has to follow its own path, even if it leads to destruction. Donna Reed as Alma Burke / Lorene looks more like the girl next door than the dangerous seductress in "fun club". However, it does have its moments through the monologue of smoothness or loneliness.Frank Sinatra as Private Angelo Maggio is the most colorful protagonist. Aware that such a life of soldiers does not make sense, but it now has to accept and want to enjoy every moment outside the military base. He is an "island" of true pathos.

I never saw this movie until just a few years ago, and, again, over the 2015 Memorial Day Weekend, because I thought it was just another love story...but, it's much deeper and much more complicated than that.It 'is' a love story of new, dangerous, and, impractical love, but, it's also about personal problems; playing favorites and manipulation in the military; people finding themselves in places and situations they hadn't intended on and don't like; and, all at a time when the world was about to change forever.The star-studded cast is superb, although, ironically, 'many of them' were not first choice by the studio head. The characters are solid and each has just the right type of personality to make the story believable when they interact and create intriguing situations.I feel kind of silly for having missed out on this terrific movie for all these years (as I also did with "The Bridges of Madison County" - another I thought was 'just another love story.'). From now on, I'll watch a movie when advised to.This is a great classic movie that 'everyone' should see at least once.

Its power may have waned a little bit since it first came out over 50 years ago, but FROM HERE TO ETERNITY still remains one of the classic war films as well as an interesting look into military life circa 1941. The story follows a handful of characters whose lives all intersect in Hawaii during the months prior to the bombing at Pearl Harbor. You have Montgomery Clift as Pvt. Robert E. Lee Prewitt: a loner with a troubled past, Burt Lancaster as Sgt. Warden: a tough, but understanding NCO, Deborah Kerr as Karen Holmes: the company commander's wife, and Frank Sinatra as Angelo Maggio: a wiry Italian fellow who befriends Prewitt and loves to drink. As was typical for films of the period, there is a romantic/melodramatic element which forms the basis for the story and informs the way we see the characters. This aspect was kind of dated, but it allows the casual viewer a window into these characters' lives the way a straight military picture couldn't have done. The two main romantic narrative threads are between Montgomery Clift and a girl, Loreen/Alma (Donna Reed) who works at a club he frequents, and Burt Lancaster with Deborah Kerr. Both of these couples lament the situation that life has put them in and desire to get away from it all. Montgomery Clift has become the target of cruel treatment based on his decision not to join the company's boxing team, while Donna Reed's character has grown weary of her employment at a gentleman's club where she has to entertain service members. Parallel to that, Burt Lancaster romances the wife of his CO, a philanderer who has lost interest in her. One common element is the desire to return to the States and get married, which would provide the stability that they all want. However, fate has other plans as the bombing at Pearl Harbor throws their somewhat stable world into chaos and the men of the Army must put aside petty differences to fight the bigger enemy. These are rather heady themes to be tackled in a film that could easily have been a fluff piece for the Armed Forces, yet FROM HERE TO ETERNITY never feels like propaganda. The biggest thing on its mind seems to be portraying what happens when something unexpected throws our best-laid plans into disarray. When that happens, the best we can do is to band together and make the best of a bad situation. In the end, our commitment to each other will outlast any temporary plans that we have. Overall, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY does feel "of its time" but it's also the only Pearl Harbor film worth watching.