From Here to Eternity (1953)

• Review: *** ½ (out of ****)
• Starring: Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, Frank Sinatra, Philip Ober, Mickey Shaughnessy, Harry Bellaver, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Warden, John Dennis, Merle Travis, Tim Ryan, Arthur Keegan, Barbara Morrison
• Director: Fred Zinnemann
• Screenplay: Daniel Taradash (Novel: James Jones)
• Length: 118 min.
• MPAA Rating: Approved (PCA #16582)

Set against the backdrop of a military compound in Hawaii, From Here to Eternity tells the story oftwo men looking to carve a little piece of satisfaction out of their lives inthe service.

Burt Lancaster takes one of the film’s two lead roles. FirstSergeant Milton Warden is a pencil pusher. He is an administrative secretaryfor Captain “Dynamite” Holmes (Philip Ober) who prizes championship boxersabove strong military discipline. When Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt(Montgomery Clift) walks through his door, he sees the opportunity for amuch-needed championship win, a prospect he is certain will lead to hispromotion.

Clift, playing the film’s second lead, gives the determined“Prew” a conscience. Determined to escape the past where he permanently blindeda fellow while boxing, he refuses to let Holmes bully him into playing, even ifthat means his fellow enlisted men treat him terribly. Things aren’t as bad asthey might at first appear for the young bugler (a renowned one at that) whenhe makes friends with Pvt. Angelo Maggio (Frank Sinatra).

From Here to Eternity focuses predominantly on the rigors of standing up for one’s principles againstgreat odds. When pressured to conform, a soldier often acquiesces to avoid thedangers of rebellion. However, Prew is not that kind of person. He’s the kindof soldier Warden takes great pleasure in molding. Though he never attempts tostop the unfair treatment, Warden does what he can to indirectly motivate Prewto stick to his guns. Even when he’s trying to convince Prew to cease hisresistance, we can tell from Lancaster’sstern, yet impassioned performance, that he’s surreptitiously encouraging him.

Warden knows his position well but also isn’t ready to rockthe boat. He knows the wrong move can cost him immeasurable status in thecurrent machine. Nevertheless, through Prew’s defiance, he sees where his ownlife and career have failed to measure up to his own expectations of soldiers.Foolhardily, he takes the only step he can and seeks a secret relationship withthe forlorn wife of his Captain. Karen Holmes (Deborah Kerr) is beautiful butleery of upsetting the balance. Though she knows her husband has been havingaffairs for years, she at first finds it difficult to accept Warden’s advances.

Love also blooms for Prew who, through Angelo’s connectionwith the New Congress Club (a sort of female escort service), meets thebeautiful Lorene (Donna Reed). They both know they are right for one anotherbut each one has their position to think of and Lorene at first rebukes Prewthinking of her work for the Club.

From Here to Eternity brings each of its characters to a point of metamorphosis all spurred on by oneman’s perseverance. Director Fred Zinnemann moves the production along at asuitable pace, though little about his style is readily noteworthy. Thefilmmaking techniques are hopelessly traditional while the story andperformances contribute the most to the film’s success.

Clift gives a terrific performance that’s bolstered by Lancaster’s. Kerr is abit too stern at times but Reed is superb. It’s hard to think of the sweetmother of The Donna Reed Show in sucha role but she makes it work surprisingly well.

From Here to Eternity isn’t your typical war film as there is precious little combat actually goingon. Instead, it’s the calm before the storm that concludes the film: thebombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. Thebattle, which lasts only a few minutes, has virtually no bearing on the plot.Instead, it serves as an exclamation point on a story that speaks volumes onthe power of human courage and tenacity.

-Wesley Lovell (November 2, 2006)