Review of From Here to Eternity (1953) by Lanning : — 29 May 2006
Superior acting from top to bottom. For his work in Stalag 17, William Holden beat out both Clift and Lancaster for best actor. What a freakin' great year for movies! If I had to pick Lancaster's best performance, I'd choose either this one or Atlantic City, I think. And maybe The Swimmer . . . Elmer Gantry . . . Well, this is right up there : ).
Right or wrong emotionally, and trapped in a downward spiral, Clift is doomed after he avenges Sinatra's death by killing Borgnine. The taking of a life this way can never be justified; that's the way it seems to work in literature. It's hard to say whether Clift's damning flaw is actually his hard head, as Lancaster says, or the fact that he just never does fit in. A great tragedy played out against the perfect backdrop of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Really, flixster friends, Lancaster must not be missed in this incredible performance as the emotionally constricted career military man who lives most comfortably by the book and by his blunted realism.
This review of From Here to Eternity (1953) was written by Lanning : on 29 May 2006.
From Here to Eternity has generally received very positive reviews.
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