NR | 1h 58m | Drama, Romance, War | 1953
Certain cinematic productions are so impeccably cast that it’s nearly impossible to picture anyone else in the roles. Combined with breathtaking cinematography, these performances create still images that have become iconic, etched into the cultural memory.
That single frame from 1955’s “The Seven Year Itch” has come to define Marilyn Monroe’s allure and charm, capturing both the lighthearted and sensual essence of her screen presence.
Similarly, the chilling scene from 1972’s “The Godfather,” with Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) seated sternly, eyes forward, while the Sicilian undertaker Amerigo Bonasera (Salvatore Corsitto) whispers in his ear? This moment encapsulates the quiet power and command of Brando’s character, framed perfectly to convey a palpable sense of foreboding.
Another enduring image comes from 1953’s “From Here to Eternity” with the still of Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr, lying on the sand as the waves wash over them. Adapted by screenwriter Daniel Taradash from James Jones’s novel, the film’s romance and intensity are captured in that one indelible frame.
The film is set at Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, where Pvt. Robert E. Lee Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) reports for duty at his new post. A former top bugler in his previous unit on Honolulu, Prewitt was transferred after being replaced by a bugler with inferior skills, an incident that stung both his pride and sense of fairness.
Upon arriving, Prewitt first encounters the hard-nosed Sgt. Milton Warden (Burt Lancaster), the top enlisted man in the unit. Warden, a man seasoned by years of military life, quickly sizes Prewitt up, labeling him as a “hard-head.”
Prewitt meets the company commander, Capt. Dana Holmes (Philip Ober), an ambitious officer with his sights set on promotion. Holmes’s success hinges on his company’s performance in the upcoming division boxing championship, and has “pulled a few strings” to get young Prewitt, who has boxing skills, assigned to his infantry unit so that he could have a better chance at winning the competition.
There’s only one problem: Prewitt has sworn off “the sweet science” of boxing due to accidentally blinding a friend and fellow boxer he was practicing with. Instead, he wants to be his company’s top bugler.
Due to Prewitt’s stubborn refusal to box for his new unit, he is harshly treated by his fellow soldiers and assigned extra duties, despite excelling as a soldier. He finds support in Pvt. Angelo Maggio (Frank Sinatra), an old acquaintance already serving in the unit, and the two quickly form a close bond.
Although Lancaster received top billing, the film’s narrative primarily revolves around Clift’s portrayal of Prewitt, who struggles to uphold his principles in the face of immense pressure. Lancaster’s character, Warden, is equally compelling and faces his own risks, as he engages in a dangerous affair with Holmes’s wife Karen (Deborah Kerr), a woman notorious for her infidelities. Warden’s actions put him at risk of discovery by the military police, potentially facing “20 years in Leavenworth” (military prison) if caught.
Donna Reed appears early on as Lorene, a charming social club hostess. Her budding relationship with Prewitt is marked by struggle. Reed excels in portraying a young woman who, though she entertains soldiers at the club, wants a more “proper” life in marriage.
Lancaster and Kerr are equally well-suited as star-crossed lovers whose romance is doomed by their circumstances. Warden, growing weary of serving as Holmes’s glorified secretary (with Holmes often busy currying favor with senior officers), longs to transfer out of the unit. Karen is trapped in a loveless marriage to Holmes, who is both her husband and Warden’s company commander.
The film makes it clear that infidelity, while rooted in Karen’s feelings of neglect, is never excusable. The affair is portrayed as a source of inevitable trouble, reflecting the consequences of their morally shady choices.
A secondary but memorable subplot revolves around the lively and likable Maggio, whose personality clashes with the brutal Sgt. “Fatso” Judson (Ernest Borgnine). Their mutual animosity, exacerbated by Maggio’s penchant for excessive drinking, escalates into a near-violent confrontation. Though Warden steps in to prevent bloodshed, Judson, who runs the stockade, ominously warns Maggio that it’s only a matter of time before he ends up there, and when he does, Judson will be waiting.
“From Here to Eternity” delivers a top-notch narrative and performances, making it clear why the film earned eight Oscars, including Best Picture, and received five additional nominations. Its portrayal of military life was gritty for its time, showing that the struggles and flaws of service members are just as complex as those in civilian society.
Rather than offering idealized characters, the film reveals ones with flaws, such as Holmes’s selfish ambition, Karen’s infidelity, and Judson’s cruelty. At the same time, acts of selflessness and heroism shine through, creating a balanced and engaging story with both cautionary and positive elements.
