On F List of Movie Reviews
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From Here to Eternity (1953)
Rate:
10
Viewed:
2/06, 2/14, 5/17, 11/19, 7/24
2/06:
Outstanding performances are rendered by the cast, most especially Montgomery Clift, Burt Lancaster, and Frank Sinatra, in
From Here to Eternity.
One of the most famous movie scenes of all time is when Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr embraced themselves on the beach
while being engulfed by the water. It's simply breathtaking. If that's all anybody can remember about the film, then so
be it.
The finale is magnificent: petty conflicts are completely washed away by the Japanese's surprise aerial attack. Before
that are two perfectly placed foreboding symbols: the date on the wall calendar and the signpost showing Pearl Harbor.
All in all, From Here to Eternity is a fine cinematic masterpiece.
2/14:
The spume...Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr...on the beach from here to eternity.
It's among the greatest scenes of all time. The power of their embrace is overwhelming which is why I continue to
revisit From Here to Eternity countless times. Also, included in the picture are the wonderful performances by
Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra, and Donna Reed.
Frank Sinatra is so good as the affable Maggio that his Oscar win is much deserved. But
let's be real: it's Burt Lancaster and Montgomery Clift who give powerhouse acting performances. Both are simply brilliant,
and they, not Stalag 17's William Holden who had also admitted this, should've
won the Oscar in a tie.
All in all, From Here to Eternity is an unforgettable motion picture.
5/17:
I'm finally able to look past the famous beach scene and recognize From Here to Eternity for what it is: a
masterpiece with truly great acting.
Paul Fussell talks a great deal about "chickenshit" in his book Wartime: Understanding and Behavior in the Second
World War. It's exactly what Privates Prewitt and Maggio endured in the army which are petty crap that have nothing
to do with performing honorable services for their country.
On the other hand, Burt Lancaster is absolutely sublime, and his scenes with anyone are what makes
From Here to Eternity a super special film. He and Deborah Kerr on the beach is among five greatest scenes ever;
there's no question about it. It was pretty much the clincher for Best Cinematography Oscar which went to Burnett Guffey
who won another for Bonnie and Clyde. Yet I don't agree with the decision because
one scene alone does not make a film as a whole for the category. I'll give him props for setting up the imminent Japanese
attack on the island which is brilliantly shot and therefore another reason for the film's high replayability value.
I now take back what I said about Frank Sinatra for
The Man with the Golden Arm and declare he was born as an actor in
From Here to Eternity; it's just a terrific performance. That's why he won the Oscar of which I have zero problems
with. Honestly, I don't think Montgomery Clift had ever been better in any other film. His acting is perfect, and he
should've gotten the Oscar for Best Actor; actually, it's more of a tie with Burt Lancaster because their performances
are so close in quality that it's hard to pick one over the other.
All in all, From Here to Eternity is an all-time great picture.
11/19:
From Here to Eternity is unquestionably a top fifteen picture of all time.
Every time I think about it, I think of the beach scene with Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr. It's powerful and
moving. Not to be missed are the all-around great acting performances. Montgomery Clift gets the first credit for making
the movie possible. Burt Lancaster is right up there with him every step of the way. Frank Sinatra is truly special.
Deborah Kerr and Donna Reed are fantastic.
All in all, From Here to Eternity is a deeply romantic film that's about tragedies.
7/24:
Simply the best military picture ever made.