In the nearly 100-year history of the Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, only one film set in Hawaii has won 'Best Film': FROM HERE TO ETERNITY. The movie was filmed entirely on the island of O'ahu.
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| From Here to Eternity, 0:24:18 |
The story takes place on the eve of the Japanese surprise attack on the American naval base Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. Newly arrived private Robert Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) has a conflict with Captain Dana Holmes (Philip Ober) because he does not want to box for the regimental team. Karen (Deborah Kerr), wife of Holmes, secretly begins a relationship with Sergeant Milton Warden (Burt Lancaster). Prewitt befriends Private Angelo Maggio (Frank Sinatra). In the city they meet Alma Burke (Donna Reed) in a club, with whom Prewitt falls in love.
Filming started on 7 March and lasted until 5 May 1953. Even though almost 70 years have passed, there are locations by the sea that are still recognisable.
Milton Warden and Karen Holmes meet at Kuhio Beach Park in Waikiki, a neighborhood in Honolulu. Although the area has changed, this location still has a small park with benches. In the background Diamond Head, a volcanic cone, can be seen. Later in the film, Milton and Karen meet here again.
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| From Here to Eternity, 0:26:26 |
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| Kuhio Beach Park, Waikiki, O'ahu, 11 June 2017 |
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| From Here to Eternity, 1:41:11 |
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| Kuhio Beach Park, Waikiki, O'ahu, 11 June 2017 |
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| From Here to Eternity, 1:42:20 |
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| Kuhio Beach Park, Waikiki, O'ahu, 11 June 2017 |
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| From Here to Eternity, 0:33:58 |
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| Hālona Beach Cove, O'ahu, 11 June 2017 |
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| From Here to Eternity, 0:34:17 |
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| Hālona Beach Cove, O'ahu, 11 June 2017 |
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| From Here to Eternity, 0:33:58 |
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| Hālona Beach Cove, O'ahu, 11 June 2017 |
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| From Here to Eternity, 0:35:53 |
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| Hālona Beach Cove, O'ahu, 11 June 2017 |
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| From Here to Eternity, 0:37:40 |
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| Hālona Beach Cove, O'ahu, 11 June 2017 |
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| From Here to Eternity, 0:37:44 |
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| Hālona Beach Cove, O'ahu, 11 June 2017 |
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| From Here to Eternity, 0:38:10 |
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| Hālona Beach Cove, O'ahu, 11 June 2017 |
At the end of the film, just before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Aloha Tower in the harbour of Honolulu can be seen. The tower was built in 1926 as a lighthouse and now houses students and has an observation deck. The word 'aloha' is on all sides of the tower, a Hawaiian greeting welcoming visitors. The clock on the tower indicates the time when the attack began, ten minutes to eight in the morning.
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| From Here to Eternity, 1:43:38 |
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| Aloha Tower, Honolulu, 13 June 2017 |
Screenshots © Columbia Pictures
