The film has a slightly episodic structure as it follows a handful of characters as the endure interpersonal travails, unaware of the cataclysmic thundercrack of history awaiting them at the end of the year. Guided by the expert hand of Zinnemann, the film works marvelously, shifting threads with an efficiency that keeps it all compelling even when a storyline is heading down a familiar route. Lancaster%u2019s stolidness is countered nicely by Clift%u2019s raw nerve urgency.

I keep forgetting that I've seen this film; I can barely remember what happens in this film. I know that there is a couple canoodling on the beach, but that's the film's iconic image, and the rest of the film takes place at an army reserve, the complete opposite of that iconic image.

Stories a little longer then I prefer but once I got into fairly decent

This is considered a classic, and you can see why. It's romantic, without getting too sentimental. It's dramatic, without capitalizing on the melodrama. And, perhaps most importantly, it features good work from Hollywood stars Lancaster, Clift, Sinatra, Borgnine etc.. What more do you want?

#727

A classic...great acting all around. Although Sinatra is fantastic, Montgomery Clift may give the best performance. His transformation throughout the film is quite good. Ernest Borgnine makes a short, unforgettable appearance.

Slowly conducted to a great ending.

a bit disappointed because of lousy acting (except Sinatra) but still a powerful movie...

This movie was absolute cameo heaven (everywhere you looked, you knew somebody!). I was surprised to find that the legendary moment in the surf didn't even last all that long. Deft handling of the December 7th attack--especially early on, when it doesn't even occur to anybody that what might be happening is indeed what is happening.

A very good and enjoyable film about several men stationed in Hawaii prior to WW2. THe acting is for the most part very good and the characters are interesting, as the film manages to touch many subjects beyond the obvious ones you'd expect in a film about the military. Even so, there's something I can't put my finger on that prevented me from truly getting into the movie.

Is this for real? What a goofy, hokey film, even by the period's standards. Sinatra is golden, as usual, and keeps this from being a mess. Unrealistic dialogue, lazy acting, and an over-dominant musical score.