From Here to Eternity – 1953 – Burt Lancaster

The Story …

In 1941, bugler and career soldier Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt transfers from Fort Shafter to a rifle company at Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu.

Because Prewitt was also a boxer, Captain Dana “Dynamite” Holmes wants him on his regimental team. Prewitt refuses. Consequently, Holmes makes Prewitt’s life miserable and ultimately orders First Sergeant Milton Warden to prepare a court-martial. Warden suggests doubling Prewitt’s company punishment as an alternative. Prewitt is hazed by the other NCOs and is supported only by his close friend, Private Angelo Maggio.

Prewitt and Maggio join a social club where Prewitt becomes attracted to Lorene. Prewitt confides to her he quit boxing after blinding his sparring partner. At the club, Maggio has an argument with stockade Sergeant “Fatso” Judson. Later, at a local bar, Judson provokes Maggio and the two nearly come to blows before Warden intervenes.

Despite being warned, Warden risks prison when he starts seeing Holmes’ wife Karen. Her marriage to Holmes is fraught with infidelity, exacerbated after the stillbirth of a child and Karen’s subsequent infertility. Karen encourages Warden to become an officer, which would enable her to divorce Holmes and marry him.

Maggio is sentenced to the stockade after walking off guard duty and getting drunk, subjecting him to Judson’s unqualified (and unauthorized) wrath. Prewitt discovers Lorene’s name is really Alma and her goal is to make enough money at the club to go back to the mainland.

Prewitt tells her his career is in the military, and the two wonder whether they have a future together.

A member of Holmes’ boxing team, Sgt. Galovitch, picks a fight with Prewitt. The fight is reported to Holmes who observes without intervening. Holmes is about to punish Prewitt again, but when he is told that Galovitch started the fight, Holmes does nothing.

The regimental commander observes Holmes’ conduct and, after an investigation, orders his resignation in lieu of a court martial. Holmes’ replacement, Captain Ross, reprimands the other NCOs, demotes Galovitch to private, and affirms there will be no more promotions through boxing.

Maggio escapes from the stockade after a brutal beating from Judson and dies in Prewitt’s arms. Seeking revenge, Prewitt engages Judson in a back alley knife fight. Prewitt kills Judson, but is badly wounded and stays with Lorene. Warden covers for Prewitt’s absence.

Karen tells Warden that Holmes’ resignation is forcing them back to the mainland, but Warden reveals he has no interest in becoming an officer, effectively ending their relationship. Warden promises her that they will meet somewhere some day.

The next morning, the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, forcing the men at Schofield into action. Warden takes command ordering a breach of the ammo supply room and the making of coffee. Despite Lorene’s pleas to stay with her, Prewitt attempts to rejoin his company, but is shot dead by military police when he refuses to halt. Warden identifies him as a good soldier, but a hardhead.

Days later, Karen and Lorene coincidentally stand next to each other on a ship going to the mainland. Karen tosses her leis into the sea wondering if she will ever return to Hawaii.

Lorene tells Karen she is not returning and that her “fiancé”, whom she identifies as Prewitt, was a bomber pilot who died heroically during the Pearl Harbor attack and was awarded a silver star (none of which is true). Karen recognizes the name, but says nothing.

Credits :

Directed by : Fred Zinnemann

Screenplay by : Daniel Taradash

Based on : From Here to Eternity by James Jones

Produced by : Buddy Adler

Cinematography : Burnett Guffey

Edited by : William A. Lyon

Music by: George Duning, Morris Stoloff

Colour Process : Black and White

Production Company : Columbia Pictures

Distributed by : Columbia Pictures

Release Date : August 5, 1953

Genre : #WarMovies – #ActionMovies – #DramaMovies

Cast :

Burt Lancaster as First Sergeant Milton Warden

Montgomery Clift as Private Robert E. Lee “Prew” Prewitt

Deborah Kerr as Karen Holmes

Donna Reed as Alma Burke / Lorene

Frank Sinatra as Private Angelo Maggio

Philip Ober as Captain Dana “Dynamite” Holmes

Mickey Shaughnessy as Corporal Leva

Harry Bellaver as Private First Class Mazzioli

Ernest Borgnine as Staff Sergeant James R. “Fatso” Judson

Jack Warden as Corporal Buckley

John Dennis as Sergeant Ike Galovitch

Merle Travis as Private Sal Anderson

Tim Ryan as Sergeant Pete Karelsen

Arthur Keegan as Treadwell

Barbara Morrison as Mrs. Kipfer

George Reeves as Sergeant Maylon Stark

Claude Akins as Sergeant “Baldy” Dhom
Alvin Sargent as Nair

Robert J. Wilke as Sergeant Henderson

Carleton Young as Colonel Ayres

Kristine Miller as Georgette

Film Information Source :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Here_to_Eternity

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ALL RIGHTS TO THIS MOVIE REMAIN WITH THE OWNERS

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