Until They Sail

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Heartfelt human emotions
Though filmed during a time when the moral codes prevented even the slightest hint of inpropriety, Until They Sail dealt with quite a scandalous subject: emotional and sexual relationships which sprung willy-nilly during the stressful times of war. The movie captures all aspects of wartime lonliness: youngest sister Evelyn's harmless puppy crushes, middle sister Dee's passionate sexual flings, big sister Anne's unexpected heartfelt first love, and Barbara's recovery as a young widow in the arms of ever-gorgeous Paul Newman. But what makes this movie so worth watching isn't just the diversity of the stories but the ability to capture the raw emotions and truth felt by the characters. In one poignant scene by a lake, Newman's character forwarns Simmons that he has no aspirations of love or marriage before surrendering himself to his lonliness. It's one of the most passionate and desperate scenes I've ever seen. The hunger spoken of previously is almost palpable.

Marvelous nostalgia
I've just finished watching Until They Sail and I just loved it. The lovely Jean Simmons is just right in her role, a New Zealand girl who ends up falling in love with American Paul Newman. They don't make movies like this anymore and, though some would say Thank Goodness, I miss the days where there was a moral code and even though many people didn't follow the rules, the code guided us nonetheless. Watch this wonderful film and escape into the past for a quick 90 minutes with some wonderful people.

excellent film with "grown up" characters
I too think this is an excellent film, I recently rewatched it on TCM. I wish some company would put out a dvd of it. Meeting in Australia during World War II, the gorgeous Jean Simmons and charismatic Paul Newman have a very grown up, slow starting romance, full of wary sadness. Joan Fontaine is effective as the judgmental sister who eventually melts. Sandra Dee is indeed charming in an early role. And Piper Laurie is excellent and a little scary as the "promiscuous," troubled sister. One reason it's so first-rate is the screenplay is by Robert Anderson, the talented writer of the play "Tea and Sympathy," and the screenwriter of the film "The Nun's Story." Among other things, he had a real affinity for writing sensitive, nuanced women. And the director is Robert Wise, an eclectic director who has made many great movies. Put out a dvd of this, someone.

Great Classic
I recently saw this movie and loved it. I had never heard of it and was totally floored by the great cast and story. A story seldom told of how it was for women "back home" during the war. In this case New Zealand where most of the men have gone to war. The four sisters deal differently with how their world is turned upside down by the war, loneliness, intrusion of strangers (American GI's) and finally the need for love at a time of so much death and destruction. Sandra Dee in her first role is fantastic and clearly shows the caliber of actress she could have become if Hollywood had not "packaged" her. I highly recommend this movie and I am glad I have found it at Amazon as I am buying it immediately.

"Loneliness and Hunger"
With a superb cast and sensitive direction by Robert Wise, "Until They Sail" follows the lives of 4 sisters, who deal with the tragedy and loneliness of war from different perspectives, and in different ways. Joan Fontaine is Anne, who is rigid and virtuous, and Jean Simmons is Barbara, who has only been a bride for a month when her husband leaves for the war. Piper Laurie is Delia, who in desperation marries an obnoxious cad, because he's the only man in town, and Sandra Dee is Evelyn, whose enthusiasm for life cannot be dampened, even by the uncertainty and sadness of the time. Dee was only 13 when this film was made, and it was her delightful screen debut. Woven into the women's lives are the Americans, who are stationed in New Zealand, among them Jack (Paul Newman), whose principal job in the military is to investigate the potential brides of the enlisted men. After a bad marriage, Jack relies on the comfort of whiskey to get him through the night, until he meets Barbara. Based on a James Michener story, "Until They Sail" is a marvelous wartime melodrama, and though it is essentially a "woman's film," can be appreciated by anyone who likes fine acting and filmmaking. The b&w cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg is lovely, and when the camera focuses on Jean Simmons's luminous eyes, one realizes what a great actress she was, and how she was able to convey depth and passion with just a look. "Until They Sail" is an underrated classic that depicts the emotional toll on the women left behind in a way that is unique, insightful, and memorable. Total running time is 94 minutes.