Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Matrixiole Simple and well acted, it has tension enough to knot the stomach.

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

thejcowboy22 Some of the best love stories ever written or shown always have huge barriers or obstacles in the way. Whether it's interference from opposite families, or rivalry against the suitors. Screen writers John Lee Mahin and the legend of the cinema, John Huston let their imaginations go a bit further pitting an unpolished Marine Corporal and a Woman of the cloth alone on a deserted island in the South Pacific during the latter stages of World War II. A cast of only two, Robert Mitchum as Corporal Allison USMC and Deborah Kerr as Sister Angela are stranded. How they ended up on this island isn't very clear but the past isn't important. The present is more important for their survival. Apparently there's a vacated Japanese base situated on the island which provides shelter and a checker board or draughts to pass the time. Mitchum is a natural as the rough, good nature, survival tested Marine who's use of the English language would make an English professor cringe. On the other hand the glamorous refined and very British Deborah Kerr shines through her habit as the gruff Marine Corporal is falling for her yet the Allison character is forbearing toward the sweet respectful Sister. Not all is pleasant as the Japanese troops return putting the unlikely couple in a compromising situation. There is one scene I particularly enjoyed when Allison and Sister Angela are watching a night time battle on the beach. Just out of view are the battleships, yet you can see the bombs bursting as if it was a four of July celebration of fireworks. Allison does profess his love for Sister Angela, but the for the outcome of love and survival,. you'll have to watch this wartime love story. FYI One of four movies Mitchum and Kerr starred together. They had unparalleled chemistry . Second time Kerr plays a Nun. Kerr's earlier work in Black Narcissus.

higherall7 This is a two character story similar to Mamet's OLEANNA and yet what a world of difference. The altitude of thematic content gives it a ten and underscores the difference between the films of today and the films of the so-called yesteryear. The situation the characters find themselves thrust into makes for a fascinating character study of two people from completely different walks of life. There is in this film a meditation on the values of War and Peace as lifestyles without these subjects ever being formally mentioned. This is first and foremost a story about duty, love and honor that never gets preachy or uses a sledgehammer to drive its points home.Everything is expert about this film from the way spiritual values are conveyed through the interaction of the characters, to the brilliant color cinematography of Oswald Morris, and the deft direction of John Huston who co-authored the screenplay with John Lee Mahin. I find myself reluctant to share any of the details so as not to spoil the experience for those who have never seen this film. The best I can say is that it is both life affirming and spiritually affirming while the decisions and choices that the characters make are never maudlin and reflect the personalities of individuals adhering to the codes of institutions to which they believe they owe their growth and development. These are mature adults dealing with harsh situations in rational and realistic ways.Long ago I decided that Robert Mitchum was one of the three greatest natural actors that American Cinema ever produced. The others being Gary Cooper for films like SERGEANT YORK and Glen Ford for films like BLACKBOARD JUNGLE. But once you see his performance as Corporal Allison in this film you will see my point and also understand why I think he was probably the main inspiration for the character of Nick Fury in Marvel Comics. I would have to admit I would be hard put to imagine anyone else acting this role so creditably. The same goes for Deborah Kerr as Sister Angela. This performance does not hearken back to her earlier work in BLACK NARCISSUS, but is an entirely fresh interpretation of a Bride of Christ.This film stands out because in an age that is in many ways the fallout from the 'anything goes' sixties and the quest for individual and personal power, it defines in a curious way what it means to be a lady and a gentleman. Also, I found the intelligent exercise of strength of character quite sexy as it is inevitably demonstrated by this unlikely pair of castaways. Even though this could have been done as a stage play, its virile sensitivity is almost flawlessly conveyed as true cinema; the accent always being on the visual rather than the verbal. Herein what the characters do speaks volumes more than anything that they might ever express in words.Also, here Machismo and Marianismo drift out of the smoke and the violence of a great World War and scramble ashore and stumble blindly forth from the desolation to rub shoulders together on a hope and a prayer. There is humor and shared adventure and a sense of having gotten to know two people who say what they mean and mean what they say and live by this accordingly. I doubt that you will ever see two worlds collide in quite such an entertaining and inspiring way. Heaven may be looking down on Mister Allison and Sister Angela, but every time I see this film I find myself looking up to them.

gavin6942 A Marine and a Nun, The Marine (Robert Mitchum) is shipwrecked on a Pacific Island and the Nun (Deborah Kerr) has been left behind there, they find comfort in one another as the two wait out the war.First, I want to say I think it is a shame that the Japanese actors are uncredited. Sure, they have only a very small part. But still, with a cast of basically two people, would it hurt to add these two guys? (Even IMDb has no idea who they are.) But what I really liked about this film is just how strong Robert Mitchum is. I love him as a dirty, nasty villain, in such classics as "Cape Fear" and "Night of the Hunter". But you know what? This just shows he also has a caring side and can actually come across as romantic and sweet when he wants to.Deborah Kerr is also good, but I wish they had not scripted the nun to be so naive. She comes off as very ignorant at times, which is unfair. No doubt any real nun would be quite worldly.

pierre-luthier When you see that a movie has John Huston as a director, you want to see it.I thought that was true till I saw Heaven knows Mr Allison. I was deeply disappointed and maybe angry after seeing it. I thought it was a cheap advertisement for US navy and for catholicism. I was doubting all movie long if it was ironical, because the nun and mitchum were so caricatured. Of course it is well filmed. Of course the actors are good, even brilliant.But the scenario has a toltal lack of impartiality. I m sorry but I can recommend this movie to no one unless you re a stubborn militar or a non-open minded catholic. PS: I am catholic