The Proud And Profane (1956)

Set in 1943 on an island in the Pacific during WWII. A refined military widow (Deborah Kerr) joins the Red Cross. It's there that she meets a brutal Colonel (William Holden), who has a huge chip on his shoulder, in the Marines. Opposites attract and they become romantically involved although they are worlds apart on the social scale. Based on the novel MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS by Lucy Herndon Crockett and directed by George Seaton (THE COUNTRY GIRL). Although set during WWII, this is a romantic melodrama. We don't see any combat. Both protagonists are highly flawed individuals, not only not being honest with each other but not being honest with themselves. Holden is very good here, not attempting to make his callous brute likable or sympathetic. Ultimately, the movie is about forgiveness (an overrated virtue I think) and its ambiguous ending leaves you guessing. With Thelma Ritter, Dewey Martin, William Redfield, Adam Williams, Frank Gorshin and Marion Ross.