MovieChat Forums > From Here to Eternity (1953) Discussion > Depressing and pointless

Depressing and pointless

posted 8 years ago by rsgre
2 replies | jump to latest

I watched this for the first time on PBS, since about 50 years ago when I was a teenager, and now wonder why so many people found this story so interesting.
A very depressing and downbeat story of a bad military situation, written by a man who obviously had a grudge against the military, maybe just sour grapes or an axe to grind. This is what were called "slice of life" films years ago. They all seemed like cardboard characters,and it was just horrible to see two army men kill each other, and no rational explanation for why the Borgnine character treated the Sinatra character like he did and got away with it. Maybe there is some historical significance to the interest in this story years ago (like subtle anti-military sentiment at the time for one). Might have more,,,,

RSGRE

P.S. Glad Ernest Borgnine redeemed himself on "MaHale's Navy" years later.
Monty Clift looks the same in every film, same haircut and that same weird glance with his eyes.

[–] batigoal9-1 8 years ago

Lmao. Film was great and very unique, decades ahead of its time, at least for america.

[–] RobbieCalifornia 8 years ago

It's a fine film. Great performances by terrific actors. It's not a cheery movie, but I don't feel depressed watching it. Sad maybe.

Frank Sinatra, Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, Ernest Borgnine--that's quite a cast. Great story too.