Opened: August 5, 1953

Directed by: Fred Zinnemann

Starring: Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed, Frank Sinatra, Philip Ober, Mickey Shaughnessy, Harry Bellaver, Ernest Borgnine & Jack Warden

Just over 10 years after the Pearl Harbor that led the United States into World War II, From Here to Eternity premiered as a romantic drama about the months leading up to the attack.

Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) has the reputation of a prize boxer but refuses to fight. First Sergeant Milton Warden (Burt Lancaster) falls in love with his captain’s (Philip Ober) wife Karen (Deborah Kerr).

Lancaster and Kerr have one of the most remembered cinematic affairs with their iconic kiss on the beach. Clift has great chemistry with Frank Sinatra and Donna Reed – both of whom won Oscars for their roles.

The final scenes are intense and show the downfall of Pearl Harbor and throughout you have an inside view of the lives of the fighters.

Final say: Realism that still holds strong today. ★★★★★