Product Details

• Actors: Jean Simmons, Paul Newman, Joan Fontaine, Piper Laurie, Charles Drake
• Directors: Robert Wise
• Writers: James Michener, Robert Anderson
• Producers: Charles Schnee, James E. Newcom
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: September 1, 1998
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302605067
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #905 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Video > Drama > Family Life > Brothers & Sisters
  #11 in	Video > Mystery & Suspense > Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem > Murder
  #14 in	Video > Military & War > World War II

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Loneliness and Hunger", November 14, 2005

By	Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

With a superb cast and sensitive direction by Robert Wise, "Until They Sail" follows the lives of 4 sisters, who deal with the tragedy and loneliness of war from different perspectives, and in different ways. Joan Fontaine is Anne, who is rigid and virtuous, and Jean Simmons is Barbara, who has only been a bride for a month when her husband leaves for the war. Piper Laurie is Delia, who in desperation marries an obnoxious cad, because he's the only man in town, and Sandra Dee is Evelyn, whose enthusiasm for life cannot be dampened, even by the uncertainty and sadness of the time. Dee was only 13 when this film was made, and it was her delightful screen debut.

Woven into the women's lives are the Americans, who are stationed in New Zealand, among them Jack (Paul Newman), whose principal job in the military is to investigate the potential brides of the enlisted men. After a bad marriage, Jack relies on the comfort of whiskey to get him through the night, until he meets Barbara. Based on a James Michener story, "Until They Sail" is a marvelous wartime melodrama, and though it is essentially a "woman's film," can be appreciated by anyone who likes fine acting and filmmaking. The b&w cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg is lovely, and when the camera focuses on Jean Simmons's luminous eyes, one realizes what a great actress she was, and how she was able to convey depth and passion with just a look. "Until They Sail" is an underrated classic that depicts the emotional toll on the women left behind in a way that is unique, insightful, and memorable. Total running time is 94 minutes.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best classics I've ever seen, August 19, 2000

By	Patricia Anderson (USA) - See all my reviews

The movie is a tale of American marines during WW2 going to train in New Zealand and falling in love with the local girls.

The performance by Paul Newman, as the military lawyer, was aoutstanding. That coupled with Jean Simmons, as the widowed sister lent credence and worth to the movie.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent film with "grown up" characters, April 5, 2007

By	Film Buff Chris (Doylestown, PA United States) - See all my reviews

I too think this is an excellent film, I recently rewatched it on TCM. I wish some company would put out a dvd of it. Meeting in Australia during World War II, the gorgeous Jean Simmons and charismatic Paul Newman have a very grown up, slow starting romance, full of wary sadness. Joan Fontaine is effective as the judgmental sister who eventually melts. Sandra Dee is indeed charming in an early role. And Piper Laurie is excellent and a little scary as the "promiscuous," troubled sister. One reason it's so first-rate is the screenplay is by Robert Anderson, the talented writer of the play "Tea and Sympathy," and the screenwriter of the film "The Nun's Story." Among other things, he had a real affinity for writing sensitive, nuanced women. And the director is Robert Wise, an eclectic director who has made many great movies. Put out a dvd of this, someone.