FLASH FRIDAY: FROM HERE TO ETERNITY Sets Sail In Cinemas

By: Pat Cerasaro Oct. 03, 2014

Today we are focusing on this week's eagerly anticipated Fathom presentation of recent West End musical FROM HERE TO ETERNITY!

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More Than America
Based on the acclaimed 1951 novel by James Jones that was subsequently adapted into the multi-Academy Award-winning film of the same name, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY is a story of love, war, sacrifice and patriotism like few others before or since. Featuring an impressively complex and immediately ear-grabbing score by pop master Stuart Brayson and master lyricist Sir Tim Rice, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY is brimming with sparkling songs, epic drama and memorable performance pieces, all supported by the strong central story of a quintet of individuals caught up in the terror, romance, mystery and majesty of war-torn Hawaii in 1941 on the verge of the Pearl Harbor attack. Athletic army choreography is abetted by a pervasive air of authenticity, while majestic Hawaiian landscapes are imaginatively envisioned; romantic duets are balanced by bravado-boasting character numbers, while sexy showgirl showstoppers are paralleled by bluesy duets, with the likes of Nat King Cole and Bruce Springsteen given a wink or two, too - the vicissitudes of the score are vast and varied, as are the dramatic themes themselves. Perhaps more than any other commendable feature, though, what makes the musical adaptation of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY work in an exciting and whole new way is undoubtedly the addition of music and dance to aid in telling the tale of an infantryman on the 30-year track named Pruitt; a world weary sergeant, Warden; his unhappy married paramour, Karen; a mischievous private, Maggio; and a beautiful local prostitute, Lorene. Also populating the cast of characters is a colorful corps containing fleets of soldiers and swathes of bar girls, as well, but the five leads command the majority of the evening's attention - and appropriately so, given the historically-based events depicted.

In addition to a visually arresting and unique scenic design, the detailed and dynamic staging throughout presents viewers with a fully fleshed-out world in which the characters inhabit, imbuing the entire affair with a pronounced sense of realism, truth and accuracy. To that point, Sir Tim Rice himself told me of the intense preparation endured by the cast in rehearsal for the musical as part of our recent InDepth Interview (available here). Rice relayed, "I'm not sure exactly what he is called, but we had an army drill sergeant and he certainly put the guys through their paces! They had two or three weeks of boot camp before they even got going on the dances, which I think paid off in quite a good way."
As for what exactly inspired him to join the production as not only the lead producer, but also the lyricist, Rice remembered, "Well, it was more or less Stuart's music that was the inspiration that made me want to be involved in the first place. He made some great demos and brought them to me and I listened to them and thought, 'Whatever else, these are great songs. If we can find the right team to tell the story around these wonderful songs then this could be very exciting.' There were so many good tunes, and, as you say, in a piece like "Something In Return" they could be mixed and intertwined in interesting ways. But, basically, it's the songs that got everything going. Then, bring in the rest of the team and we got something that I think turned out rather well." Indeed, it did!

Furthermore, Rice himself sums up the prescient and pertinent themes of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY best in describing the intentions behind the moving Act I closer, "More Than America", while also citing his insistence on making the musical as relatable and entertaining as possible at the same time. Rice relates, "It was supposed to emphasize the fact that that just because we are miles away from home, what we've got is something that is larger and not just confined to Hawaii - you know, it's something bigger than being homesick and bigger than something we've ever experienced before; all of those things are in the song. And, I think it's one of Stuart's best tunes, too - you know by the time you get to the second or third chorus that the song is a hit." Following suit, FROM HERE TO ETERNITY as realized in the Fathom film presentation is precisely that - a smash hit.

Love. Death. Pleasure. Pain. America. FROM HERE TO ETERNITY is about what the brave men and women fought for and endured in order to protect the freedom of all Americans overseas back in 1941 with a mesmerizing, impacting and polished theatrical presentation as perfectly realized in the Fathom film presented in movie theaters nationwide this week and next - and much more.
More information on Fathom's presentation of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY on October 5 and 9 is available at the official site here.

Something In Return
So, now, let's take a look at the various iterations of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY from over the years as we anticipate the Fathom presentation of the musical.
First up, see the trailer for the Fathom presentation of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY.
Sir Tim Rice introduces a special anniversary performance featuring the Military Wives Choir joining the cast to perform.

Go behind the scenes to see the cast completing boot camp.
The cast celebrates the Hawaiian heritage of the show with Lei Day.
Hear what audiences have to say about the musical adaptation.
Sir Tim Rice on the compelling story behind the musical.
Next, view the trailer for the classic 1953 film of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY.
Revisit one of the most iconic moments in film history featuring Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr.
Deborah Kerr appears on WHAT'S MY LINE to promote the film.
FROM HERE TO ETERNITY wins Best Picture at the 1954 Academy Awards.
Now, take a look at the 1979 miniseries adaptation.
After that, see the hilarious YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS parody.
Lastly, see this extended trailer for FROM HERE TO ETERNITY onstage.
As a special bonus, enjoy this music video version of the standout earworm "Love Me Forever Today".

What has been your absolute favorite version of FROM HERE TO ETERNITY to date? Furthermore, what major scene do you anticipate being musicalized the most? With a score this packed with powerful musical moments, whatever your desire should prove more than merely fruitful as fully realized in the Fathom film presentation now in theaters. A Broadway bow can't come soon enough!

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