The Young Lions (1958): review: 10/10

This is a complex film depicting the parallel careers of two pairs of soldiers. the first a German, occasionally troubled by his conscience, then another German officer who seemingly lacks an internal life at all, and who is primarily a cypher for German millitary will.

The second pair are Americans, one an entertainer, well built, though cowardly, who befriends and learns from the the second, a scrawny, nervous Jewish American conscript from New York. This second conscript is bullied by his unit, but he confrots his tormentors, going on to prove himself to be courageous, large spirited individual.

There are subplots involving women: while the callous German has a cold-hearted blonde wife, the Americans have supportive partners. The partner of the Jewish is of a old protestant family, and initially the father of the family is dubious about his daughter's consort, even though he is a loyal and loving companion. By contrast, the relationship of the entertainer is initially marked by  the entertainer's selfishness, self-pity and short-sightedness. These qualities which are overcome by the supportive criticisms of his partner.

The film ends, very effectively, with the liberation of a concentration camp.

The film succeeds in avoiding too an overt message- though one could argue that it makes clear  statements about unselfishness, pride and the need for courage and patriotism to be allied to conscience- but is exciting and psychologically involving. The acting is universally superb.

Suddenly, Last Summer (1959): review: 3/10

A doctor is sent to meet an excentric rich widower, whose son recently was killed in Italy, in the hope that she endow a hospital with much needed funds. She wishes, however, that the doctor urgently perform a lobotomy on her niece, whom she argues is insane. It transpires that the niece knows a good deal about the events of her son's death than her aunt desires.

Playing the role of docotor-psychologist-detective, the surgeon investigates.

The film dates very badly in all respects: the psychological "theories" underpinning the work, the melodrama, and the florid speeches are all uncomfortable and often boring.

The actors all seem to have adopted different styles, from a sort of camp melodrama on the part of Hepburn, to Clift's much more naturalistic approach. The theatrical staging, including the denouement, is laughably corney, and it's unclear what the film is really for.

Elizabeth Taylor's waist is extraordinarily thin. For this, 3 points.

From Here to Eternity (1953): review- 6.5/10

It's the eve of the bombing of Pearl Harbour...!

Mysteriously, Montgomery Clift, a wonderful buglar, maintains his enthusiasm for the US army despite being mercilessly bullied for refusing to participate in boxing matches. He meets a girl who is completely unmemorable but falls for her nevertheless.

Simultaneously, Burt Lancaster starts an affair with his Commanding Officer's wife. Given what a grumpy cow she is and quite how surly he is, the source of their passion is unclear but they roll about in the sea in long swimming trunks while the waves wash over them anyway.

Frank Sinatra wonders about buffoonishly, usually drunk. What he's doing as a private soldier in Hawaii is anyone's guess.

Messy, inconclusive film which tries to say something profound about masculinity and service but which fails- entertainingly enough, it might be said.