My brief review of the film

Rating: Null/10 (18 April 2005)

An emotionally gripping classic drama, it is well acted and is able to paint a vivid picture of life at a naval base, but yet the film feels like a soap opera too often when it could rather be a powerful paralleling of historical events and human emotions. This was perhaps not the intention of the film, but I cannot help but feel that there is some wasted potential, although I still thoroughly liked the film either way. It is quite potent stuff, especially towards the end, and the acting is superb from all the main players, with Montgomery Clift and Oscar winner Frank Sinatra in memorably powerful roles. The film slightly outstays its welcome, and a general knowledge of the portrayed history is assumed, but it sits well in one's memory, and much can be found to like it in, even if one does not like it all.