From Here To Eternity (1979)

Set in 1941 Hawaii in the months preceding the attack on Pearl Harbor. The film follows two soldiers: a Private (Steve Railsback) from Kentucky, who is a career soldier and former boxer who is harassed because he refuses to box for his unit and a First Sergeant (William Devane), who has an aversion to officers and is having an affair with his commanding officer's (Roy Thinnes) promiscuous wife (Natalie Wood). Based on the novel by James Jones (previously made into an Oscar winning 1953 film) and directed by Buzz Kulik (BRIAN'S SONG). Running past the 4 1/2 hour mark, this version is more faithful to the Jones' novel incorporating elements that had to be excised (like prostitution, homosexuality, STDs and brutality) from the 1953 film because of the censorship of the era. The longer running time also allows more detail in the relationships between the First Sergeant and the Captain's wife as well as the Private and his prostitute girlfriend (Kim Basinger). The film keeps some of the 1953 movie's changes like the character of Maggio (Joe Pantoliano) who was combined with another character (Maggio doesn't die in the book) for dramatic effect. With one exception, the acting is strong although I would have liked Devane's performance more if I weren't so conscious that he was acting. The weak performance surprisingly comes from Basinger who you would think would be perfect in the part. Obviously not as tight as the 1953 film but a more than decent version that gives an inkling of the novel's power. With Andy Griffith, Peter Boyle, Salome Jens and Will Sampson.