From Here to Eternity

Watch From Here to Eternity

"The boldest book of our timeā€¦ honestly, fearlessly on the screen!"
  • Passed
  • 1953
  • 1 hr 58 min
  • 7.6  (50,375)
  • 85

From Here to Eternity is an epic 1953 drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann and based on the novel of the same name by James Jones. The film stars an ensemble cast, including Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, and Frank Sinatra. Set in the days before the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the story follows the lives of several US Army soldiers stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. The film explores various themes, including love, loyalty, class, and race.

The film opens with Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt (Clift), a former professional boxer, arriving at Schofield Barracks, where he is assigned to G Company. Prewitt, who refuses to join the unit's boxing team, faces harassment and mistreatment from his fellow soldiers and superiors, especially First Sergeant Milton Warden (Lancaster).

Meanwhile, Warden starts an affair with Karen Holmes (Kerr), the unhappy wife of his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Dana Holmes (Philip Ober). Karen and Warden's relationship faces various obstacles, including Karen's rocky marriage and Warden's disapproving superior, Captain Holmes (Richard Anderson).

Another subplot involves Private Angelo Maggio (Sinatra), a soldier and friend of Prewitt, who is facing problems of his own. Maggio, a habitual troublemaker, incurs the wrath of Sergeant James Judson (Ernest Borgnine), a sadistic and violent soldier who holds a grudge against him.

As tensions rise and the soldiers face the uncertainty of war, the characters face a series of personal crises and dilemmas. Prewitt must decide whether to continue his refusal to box or risk disciplinary action and physical harm, while Warden and Karen's relationship deepens but faces the threat of exposure and retribution.

From Here to Eternity is a remarkable film that captures the complex emotions and experiences of soldiers during a time of uncertainty and change. The characters are multi-dimensional, and the performances by the ensemble cast are outstanding, with Clift and Kerr being particularly memorable.

The film's themes of love and loyalty are explored with subtlety and nuance, and the scenes of the soldiers training and participating in army life are realistic and gripping. The film also touches on issues of race and class, exploring the social hierarchies and tensions that exist within the army.

The film's climax, set during the attack on Pearl Harbor, is a tense and dramatic depiction of the chaos and violence of war. The scene is masterfully filmed and edited, with Zinnemann creating a sense of urgency and danger that captures the horror and devastation of the attack.

Overall, From Here to Eternity is a classic film that continues to resonate with audiences today. Its themes of love, loyalty, and honor are timeless, and its depiction of the human toll of war is both powerful and poignant.

From Here to Eternity is a 1953 war movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 85.

From Here to Eternity
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Where to Watch From Here to Eternity
From Here to Eternity is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent From Here to Eternity for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1953
  • MPAA Rating
    Passed
  • Runtime
    1 hr 58 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (50,375)
  • Metascore
    85