From Here To Eternity Reviews

Fatso Judson

Sinatra got his role as Maggio in this due to his adlibbed screen test. Down in the dumps for years after Columbia cancelled his recording contract, Sinatra read the script and saw Maggio as himself--a scrapy, small American Italian. During the test, his character walks up to the bar drunk. He's gone AWOL when forced to pull guard duty on a rare night out and runs into some other GIs. Maggio stumbles up to the bar, talks, and tells everyone how bad his luck is. During the test, he grabbed to martini olives and threw them on the bar top like dice: 'Snake eyes, every time.' The adlib was so good that he not only got the part but they kept the test in the final cut.

Sinatra was also known to make martinis in his trailer between shoots when Lancaster and Borgnine would frequently drop by.

A classic by all means that captures much of the American ethos during a period of time where the USA felt independent of world affairs. Insolence, youth, and American bravado all come to a head in the tragedy of September 11th...err I mean, Decemeber 7th.

boring

yawn yawn and more yawn. don't bother watching this film unless you need sending to sleep. kept waiting for something to happen, it never did.

ONE OF THE BEST OLD ONES

Set at the time of the Pearl Harbour attack this isn't really a war movie, it is a story of a close-knit community within the forces, clashes of personalities and of course the touching love stories (ladies will love it). Brilliantly acted by the whole cast and although filmed in black and white it somehow fits the era. My late husband (ex military) always said he never heard the 'Last Post' played better or with such feeling as in this film.

Very enjoyable with great performances

This is another film that I had heard so much about and had not seen in my time on this earth to date. It tells the story of a army company in Haiwaii in the months leading up into the attack on Pearl Harbour. The film centres on two of the soldiers, a former boxing GI (Montgomery Clift) and the company's 1st sargeant (Burt Lancaster), both of whom are battling different problems and circumstances. However, the real star of the film is Frank Sinitra who plays Maggio, the wise cracking and loud mouthed maverick who doens't know when to keep his mouth shut. As the characters evolve, they all face greater difficulties, ultimately ending in tragedy and loss for all of them.

All three central performances are excellent, each playing off each other with great aplomb. Some of the support characters are not as strong but it doesn't detract too much from the quality of the film. Considering this film was made so close to the end of the war, Zinnerman handles the material with great care although is brave enough to show the cruel nature of army life.

One to watch together

An all time classic loved by the old, or should I say the young aswell. My wife and I sat and watched this and as you can expect she was in tears, but I can`t say I didn`t feel anything either as this film tugs @ the heart lstrings like it was intended to. Brill film one to watch together.

Risky for its time - Tame by today's standards

This is a true hollywood classic. The classic scene though risky for its time but very tame by today's standards still stands out in this WWII drama. Lancaster and Kerr give good performances with supporting Sinatra to give a hand. Good rainy afternoon picture. Worth a look.

If you want to watch a film where everyone dies or is left miserable then this is the film for you. I struggled to watch it through to the end thinking that something good must happen (due to the hype) and wish I'd gone to bed. Booooring!!

a wonderful treat..!

A must see 'old movie ' full of stars .. all at there best.

TRUE CLASSIC

An oldie but a goldie and very controversial at the time made. I suggest any film buff should watch this as one of their 'staple' movies.

Sea Scene

Mainly got this to see the famous love scene on the beach, that was about 30 secs long but it turned out that the film itself was worth a look.