''From Here to Eternity'' (1953 movie)- Review

Directed by: Fred Zinnemann
Released: 1953
Country: United States

Cast: Burt Lancaster, Montegmory Clift, Deborah Kerr, Frank Sinatra, Donna Reed, Phillip Ober

Genre: Drama, Romance, War

Rating: 5 out of 5

Review

''From Here to Eternity'' mainly tells the story of two people, Private Robert ''Prew'' Prewitt (Montegmory Clift) and First Sergeant Milton Warden (Burt Lancester). Set during the World War II, the film starts when Prew is transferred to Oahu. He is an expert boxer, and Captain Dana Holmes (Phillip Ober) expects him to box for him, but Prew refuses, because he gave up boxing after he had accidentally wounded a friend. Holmes doesn't give up. He decides to persuade Prew to join his boxing team, using cruel method, trying to make life for Prew as miserable as possible. Prew befriends Private Angelo Maggio (Frank Sinatra), who frequently gets into fights with Staff Sergeant James Judson (Ernest Borgnine).

First Sergeant Milton Warden starts an affair with Karen (Deborah Kerr), the wife of Holmes. Holmes has affairs with several other women, and has never treated Karen well, causing Karen to feel lonely, neglected and depressed. Warden and Karen start loving each other deeply, in spite of knowing that if their affair is released, Warden will be sentenced to a 20 years' imprisonment. Karen suggests Warden to try to become a Captain, which will make it easier for her to divorce Holmes and marry Warden. This causes Warden to fall into a great dilemma- while he wants to be with Karen, he would never like to be a Captain. He thinks that being a Captain will cause him to become a cruel person like Holmes.

I'm not sure which of the two stories I felt more attracted to- the story of Prew gets more screen presence, but on the other hand, the love story of Warden and Karen is extremely  beautiful and touching. The kiss scene on the beach is perhaps one of the most unforgettable movie moments. Both the stories are equally touching and emotionally intense. Prew, who starts becoming a victim of torture, falls in love with Lauren (Donna Reed), a girl who works at a gentleman's club, yet sweet and deeply in love with Prew. The story of Prew also features Maggio, Prew's friend who gets into fights with Sergeant Judson and ultimately meets a tragic end.

''From Here to Eternity'' is a film emotional and touching--- the main characters are so well-developed that we feel them, we feel sympathy for them- especially the  characters of Prew, Warden and Karen. The cast is extremely strong as well: Montegmory Clift, Deborah Kerr, Burt Lancester, Frank Sinatra, Donna Reed, and the others- give excellent performances (the supporting cast is mentionable). I loved this film, I really did. The ending almost brought tears to my eyes. The last scene that features a conversation between Karen and Lauren felt heart-wrenching and emotional to me- a short, but sad little scene. A deeply moving film- a story of torture, misery, loneliness, and the love that can overcome all  these things, and yet a love that is uncertain... Magnificent film.

5 ou of 5t