Until They Sail (1957)
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60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
63% of users liked it
(97 ratings)
Adapted by Robert Anderson from a story by James A. Michener, the Robert Wise-directed soaper Until They Sail is set in World-War-II New Zealand. Paul Newman plays been-there-done-that U.S. marine captain Jack Harding, assigned to investigate servicemen's requests to marry local girls. An… More Adapted by Robert Anderson from a story by James A. Michener, the Robert Wise-directed soaper Until They Sail is set in World-War-II New Zealand. Paul Newman plays been-there-done-that U.S. marine captain Jack Harding, assigned to investigate servicemen's requests to marry local girls. An unemotional cipher, Harding begins to warm up when he meets war widow Barbara Leslie Forbes (Jean Simmons), a woman with three sisters (played by Joan Fontaine, Piper Laurie, and Sandra Dee -- what a gene pool!). The Newman-Simmons relationship is played against the romance between uptight spinster Anne Leslie (Fontaine) and good-natured officer Richard Bates (Charles Drake), and the dysfunctional marriage between the emotionally desperate (and nymphomaniacal) Delia Leslie (Laurie) and slimy Shiner Friskett (Wally Cassell), who is off in battle. The fourth sister, Evelyn (Dee), watches her sisters' amorous pursuits longingly, her mind occupied by her own true love, who is off to war. Until They Sail was a copacetic reunion between star Newman and director Robert Wise, who'd previously collaborated in Somebody Up There Likes Me. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
- Directed By
- Robert Wise
- Written By
- Robert Anderson
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- In Theaters
- Oct 8, 1957 Wide
- On DVD
- Dec 9, 1992
Critic Reviews
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Unfortunately there is a good deal of introspective soul-searching before this narrative arrives at its sad and happy endings.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Robert Wise directs Paul Newman for the second time (after Somebody Up There Like Me) in this New Zealand-set WWII sentimental melodrama, which is worth seeing for the acting of Newman and Jean Simmons as his love interest.
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, Film4
The film explores the themes of relationships and sexual morality in the time of war and is based on the novel by James A Michener.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Good love scenes between Newman and Simmons contributed strongly to his becoming a matinee idol when this picture was released.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a soap opera love story that delves into questions about morality during wartime.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Cast
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Jean Simmonsas Barbara Leslie Forbes -
Joan Fontaineas Anne Leslie -
Paul Newmanas Capt. Jack Harding
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Piper Laurieas Delia Leslie -
Charles Drakeas Capt. Richard Bates -
Sandra Deeas Evelyn Leslie
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