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Post by Vits on Oct 1, 2018 8:49:09 GMT
FROM HERE TO ETERNITY's biggest asset is its group of main characters... but it's also its biggest flaw You see, they're complex people with interesting stories that give their respective actors the chance to give good performances. Unfortunately, the movie should've focused on just one of them, because the way it shifts from one to the other and the way it doesn't settle on a specific tone ruins the pacing. The scene where 2 of them (WARDEN & KAREN) kiss at the beach remains a very passionate scene to this day, but I don't consider it to be the most memorable moment in the movie (like most people do). It's followed by a very serious conversation, which ruins the mood (once again, tone issues). KAREN's monologue during that scene, PREWITT's drunken rants and everything that happens from the Pearl Harbor attack to the end felt more memorable to me. 5/10 ------------------------------------- You can read comments of other movies in my blog.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Oct 1, 2018 14:37:55 GMT
Since the point of the story seems to me to be telling how the lives of the characters are intertwined, it really has to tell all of their stories. I cannot imagine the movie with ANY of them being omitted.
For me it's a "forever film" that gets watched periodically with great enjoyment each and every time. Nothing seems out of place (for me). Of course, the fact that one of my favorite actors made his film debut in it helps immeasurably.
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Post by timshelboy on Oct 1, 2018 15:21:57 GMT
10/10 - in my all time top ten
Wouldn't change a thing!
I'd say it was an object lesson in how to turn an 800 page, multi character novel into a two hour film - filleting the best of it for the screen - and a landmark in adult film making.
For me it is all memorable - and I have no issues with pace and tonal shifts....yes I love Karen's monologue - but I love the segue to Prewitt & Maggio at Kipfers too- " I like em tall !- acres and acres!" ; Warden's seduction of Karen as the rain pours down outside her bungalow; Prewitt getting the "treatment", Warden manipulating Dana Holmes; Fatso Judson being put in his place; Prewitt's last post; the Pearl Harbor attack sequence; the finale with the two female leads finally sharing a scene.
The lack of a clear "lead" probably cost it one Oscar though - I gather it won most votes for Best Actor but split evenly between Lancaster and Clift - allowing William Holden to romp home as the winner for STALAG 17 . Nowadays producers more canny - only allowing one nomination for lead performer even if there are two lead roles, so one leading performer gets a support nod (cf BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, NOTES ON A SCANDAL)
The book is a good read
The TV minseries from 1979 (S Railsback, W Devane & Natalie Wood in for Clift, Lancaster & Kerr) wasn't as good but worth a look - did allow 4 hours to tell the tale so more of the book made it onscreen.
Didn't see the TV series which followed (Barbara Hershey in the Kerr role)
But I'd heartily recommend the Musical ! - its a dvd of the London 2013/14 (I think) production (which I rate as one of the best things I have ever seen on stage) - complete with imaginative choreography, strong performances (Darius from one of those pop idol things made an excellent Sgt Warden), great songs, terrific sets, and the gay subplots reinstated (not something a 1953 film could address - and indeed Jones himself lost a battle to include more detail in the book - see ETERNITY's pink tinge restored) . Aside from acknowledging that some soldiers were/are gay - and of course the singing and dancing - the female characters are the biggest change from the 53 version - personally I regret losing Deborah Kerr's "hot ice" routine -the musical Karen on offer here is all heat - but she does get a nude scene! Lorene/Alma is a native Hawaiian here.
But judge for yourselves - You can buy a dvd of it on amazon but know that it is a recording of a stage show - not a "proper" movie - but frankly if they don't make it into a proper movie it would be a great loss - especially as musicals back in vogue. Hugh Jackman is a no brainer for Warden.. and if Joseph Gordon Levitt can sing and dance he'd make a good Prewitt. They should keep the stage Maggio - Ryan Sampson. Not sure re casting the women. Here is the trailer:
And here is one of the better numbers as Prewitt meets the "hostesses" at the New Congress Club
Seeing as how you loved that Beach scene so much you may enjoy this
The rest of us will stick with this one
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Post by snsurone on Oct 1, 2018 15:45:58 GMT
This is the film where Frank Sinatra graduated from man-child roles in MGM musicals to a fully adult part, winning the Oscar. It was the turning point in his movie career.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Oct 1, 2018 16:33:08 GMT
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Post by mattgarth on Oct 1, 2018 17:43:04 GMT
"Of course, the fact that one of my favorite actors made his film debut in it helps immeasurably."
And just who would that be, Master Bat -- oh no, not ... Claude Akins?
Met and interviewed him on radio back in his 'Sheriff Lobo' days following his round of golf on celebrity day at a Sammy Davis Jr. sponsored tournament.
He invited me into the visitors' tent and we both had a beer during the interview. Very nice guy, very accomodating. We talked about his villainous roles -- ETERNITY, DOWN THREE DARK STREETS, RIO BRAVO, etc. He said his own children were happy to see him on TV as a good guy for a change.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Oct 1, 2018 20:21:17 GMT
mattgarth Gee . you'd think I had mentioned this before or something.. Here he is just making it into the shot - to the left of Judson … Watching Prewitt playing pool Always wondered if his Sonny Pruitt character was named after Clift's Prewitt... with a slight spelling alteration ! Sooooo envious of you and that interview.
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Post by telegonus on Oct 16, 2018 16:58:09 GMT
A favorite of mine when I first saw it on television as a teen, From Here To Eternity feels like a bit of a slog now; and I'm probably over-familiar with it. It works best with the major players, their performances and predicaments. The mood shifts seem true to life for me rather than annoying. In its way the movie is all of a piece. As a side note: interesting that this big budget film adapted from a major best-seller of the day was filmed in black and white, just before CinemaScope became widely available, thus technically it's not too far from films made ten to fifteen years earlier. Its location shooting makes it feel very "Fifties", though, as this is no back lot Hawaii. A classic.
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Post by teleadm on Oct 16, 2018 17:28:49 GMT
It's one of those movies I like to return to from time to time. There were that many people around them, when they made the initimite beach scene.
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