‘From Here to Eternity’

The film ‘From Here to Eternity’ was one of the 10 highest grossing films of the decade.

ISLAMABAD:

The film ‘From Here to Eternity’ which won eight Academy awards out of 13 nominations in 1953, was one of the 10 highest grossing films of the decade.

The film was directed by Fred Zinnemann whose film career spanned six decades.  There are four Oscars to his credit, out of 22 feature films which he directed including ‘High Noon’ and ‘A Man for All Seasons’.

The film is based on the novel of the same name written by James Jones. It deals with the lives of American soldiers stationed in Hawaii during the Second World War. Caught in the vagaries of war and regimentation of army life there are other distractions of love, romance and hate which set the softer mood of the story. The roles played in this star studded movie by Burt Lancaster (First Sergeant, Milton Warden), Montgomery Clift (Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt), Frank Sinatra (Private Angelo Maggio), Deborah Kerr (Karen) and Donna Reed (Loren) are fascinating and complex leaving the viewers totally lost.

The film takes off with the arrival of Prewitt at Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu where he becomes victim of Captain Holmes’ (Philip Ober) harsh behavior after refusing to join the Regimental Boxing Club. General dislike for Captain Holmes provides support to Prewitt. While Holmes is trying to discipline his company, his own house is in disarray. Holmes’ beautiful wife Karen alienated and lonely finds solace and love in the warmth of Warden but he was not the only one. Holmes’ neglect involves her in many affairs that cross the limits of romantic flirtation. Holmes’ tyranny not only creates some ugly situations leading to tragedies but ruins his own home.

There is a continuous confrontation between the human aspect and the dry, disciplined and mechanical behavior of American soldiers in the monotony of life in the barracks. This tussle brings forth subtle moments that reveal aspects of human life only Zinnemann could save on celluloid.

Burt Lancaster always imbues his roles with intensity and a sense of power. His austere masculinity is overwhelming. Here also he comes to the rescue of many people who are victims of Captain Holmes’ insensitivity.

The most complex character in the film is played by Montgomery Clift. Actually the story revolves around him. Though all other characters have their own idiosyncrasies, he alone is the odd man out. He is a lover, boxer, bugler and a fine human being. The bugle scene is remembered as one of the most touching moment of the film.

Deborah Kerr’s role as the embittered wife of Holmes displays a quiet tension that supporting him to would explode any moment but does not. She ultimately falls in love with Warden. Her love scene on the Hawaii beach as the waves of the sea crash and tumble has acquired an iconic status in the eyes of the American Film Institute. She was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and in 1996 she received the Academy Honorary Award in recognition of her impeccable grace and beauty, a dedicated actress whose Motion Picture career has always reflected perfection, discipline and elegance.

The choice of Frank Sinatra for the role of Maggio was a surprise as his film career at that time was at its lowest ebb. But he did the impossible by winning an Oscar for the Best Supporting Actor. He had never to look back with his golden voice supporting him to his last days.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2011.