MovieChat Forums > From Here to Eternity (1953) Discussion > Did the leis float in or out?

Did the leis float in or out?

posted 15 years ago by morningsidemary
11 replies | jump to latest

Or could you tell? At the end, if the leis floated out, you would not come back. If they floated in, you would. The shot was ambiguous. Were we meant to know? Or just see them floating? I have always wondered, though I doubt realistically that either came back.

This is my favorite film or all time. Magnificent from beginning to end. Have there ever been so many Academy Award performances in one movie? Clift and Lancaster cancelled each other out for Best Actor but both deserved it. And Kerr's was not quite big enough for a feature role but also perfection. The screen adaptation did wonders with the book. The exotic ambiance, the poignancy, the intensity, the transience. The movie was a unique experience to be cherished.

Nobody ever lies about being lonely.

[–] HeywoodJablomy 15 years ago

It never showed which way they floated, so I guess we're never meant to know....

A bit off topic, but my mom & stepfather honeymooned on Hawaii and tossed their leis when they left. My mom's lei floated back toward shore, but my stepfather's floated out to sea. He died 4 years later, never having returned to the islands. She went back once, many years later, but regretted it because of her memories of their time there...

Gonna revise your Levi's with physical harm, put divots in the rivets with my physical arm.

[–] JoJo31 15 years ago

I believe the leis floated out. Also the expression on Karen's face makes me think that. It's about to come on on HDNMV so I'll watch closely at the scene and make sure I'm not imagining it . . .

[–] AlWilliams-2 14 years ago

James Jones tells us in the book that the leis (Karen was wearing six) were blown by the wind back against the side of the ship when she dropped them (all at the same time) and she couldn't see which way they floated.

[–] turi43 14 years ago

About this scene, does anyone know what were the last words said and what actress said them. I'm referring to when Donna Reed says the words, "Prvt. Robert E. Lee Prewitt" in response to Deborah Kerr's question. Then, one of the actresses says three words that I couldn't make out. Does anyone know what words were said and what actress said them ? Thanks.

[–] gribfritz2 14 years ago

Donna Reed: Isn't that a silly old name?

[–] geoffrey-jackson 12 years ago

James Jones tells us in the book that the leis (Karen was wearing six) were blown by the wind back against the side of the ship when she dropped them (all at the same time) and she couldn't see which way they floated.

On that basis the leis were chopped up by the propellers and turned into fish food which, I suppose, summed up their time on Hawaii. The girls really got a raw deal. Oh well, can't win 'em all.

[–] mark-1589 9 years ago

It struck me as strange that, for this film, they didn't even bother to use leis with real flowers. Perhaps I am wrong about this, but those flowers struck me as artificial: you can see they are stiff, and the make a rustling sound as she takes them off. Why not use real flower leis - they couldn't have been THAT expensive.

[–] ricky_says_hi 9 years ago

Because they might have to do multiple takes and artificial ones would stand being thrown in the sea better. And back then, who would know the difference?

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mssmssmssmss 9 years ago

I didn't think it was clear. But I found the script here - http://www.imsdb.com/scripts/From-Here-to-Eternity.html - and according to the script, they were (supposed to be) floating out to sea.

[–] edestci 8 years ago

Do you want to see the wreaths return to the harbour ?
Then...wait from Here to Eternity.