Until They Sail (1957)
-
60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
62% of users liked it
(106 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
- Directed By
- Robert Wise
- Written By
- Robert Anderson
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Oct 8, 1957 Wide
- On DVD
- Dec 9, 1992
Critic Reviews
-
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.
-
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.
-
, 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.
-
, 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.
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a soap opera love story that delves into questions about morality during wartime.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Jean Simmons
as Barbara Leslie Forbes
-
Joan Fontaine
as Anne Leslie
-
Paul Newman
as Capt. Jack Harding
-
Piper Laurie
as Delia Leslie
-
Charles Drake
as Capt. Richard Bates
-
Sandra Dee
as Evelyn Leslie
-
Wally Cassell
as Phil "Shiner" Friskett
-
Alan Napier
as Prosecution
-
Ralph Votrian
as Max Murphy
-
John Wilder
as Tommy
-
Tige Andrews
as US Marine
-
Adam Kennedy
as Lt. Andy
-
Mickey Shaughnessy
as US Marine
-
Nicky Blair
as US Marine
-
William Boyett
as US Marine
-
James Douglas
as Marine with Girl
-
Jimmy Hayes
as US Marine
-
Kendrick Huxham
as Judge
-
Robert Keys
as Maj. Campbell
-
Patrick Macnee
as Private Duff
-
Roger McGee
as US Marine
-
Vesey O'Davoren
as Reverend
-
Pat O'Hara
as Policeman
-
Hilda Plowright
as Woman
-
David Thursby
as Trainman
-
James Todd
as Attorney
-
Anne Wakefield
as Mrs. Campbell
- Patrick Waltz
-
Ben Wright
as Defense
- Don Eitner
-
Phyllis Douglas
as New Zealand Girl
-
Stanley Fraser
as Court Crier
- Pamela Light
- John Rosser
-
Morgan Jones
as US Marine
-
Jim Cox
as Marine
