Wonderful character development!

Just perfect...

Don't Believe the Hype

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

What are the chances of two people from different backgrounds developing a friendship amid the horrors of war? That's the scenario depicted in John Huston's "Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison". Robert Mitchum is a cast-away hard-ass marine who lands on an island where a pious nun (Deborah Kerr) has taken up residence during World War II. I think that the movie would have been more interesting if the Japanese troops had gotten depicted as more than simply the empty antagonists. As an adventure story it works well, showing the corporal and the sister having to figure out things like catching a sea turtle. A particularly effective scene shows Mitchum hiding amid the rocks, using the waves as cover while the Japanese search the area.So, I wouldn't go so far as to call this movie a masterpiece, but I did enjoy it. If anyone ever tells you that history is boring, use this movie to disprove that comment.

Stranded on a Pacific island together, a marine and a nun plan to wait out the end of World War II, but their platonic friendship is tested when forced to hide out in a cave after Japanese soldiers take over the island in this solemn drama starring Robert Mitchum and Deborah Kerr. The romantic tension to come is obvious from the get-go, but the film does well outlining similarities between soldiers and nuns, bringing to a light a bond between them that is far less predictable. Most pointedly, the characters draw a comparison between leaving the convent and deserting a unit, but other similarities include firm commitment and a shared belief that they act for the greater good. Despite all these attempts to equate the characters with one another, Mitchum still comes across as more open to temptation (whereas in theory they should both be equally as hesitant yet tempted). The film also does not milk the potential danger of being spotted by the Japanese for all that it is worth, save for one great sequence in which Mitchum spies on the Japanese from a building's rat-infested wings. The film still resonates though as a tale of unlikely companionship and the gradual bond that builds up between the pair is undeniable. The project also benefits greatly from Oswald Morris behind the camera; the early shots that glide over the seemingly empty island building (and a gravestone) are quite haunting, and the isolated nature of the island constantly shines throughout, highlighting how important being mutually cut off from the world is to the protagonists' gradual friendship.

A Marine and a Nun, The Marine (Robert Mitchum) is shipwrecked on a Pacific Island and the Nun (Deborah Kerr) has been left behind there, they find comfort in one another as the two wait out the war.First, I want to say I think it is a shame that the Japanese actors are uncredited. Sure, they have only a very small part. But still, with a cast of basically two people, would it hurt to add these two guys? (Even IMDb has no idea who they are.) But what I really liked about this film is just how strong Robert Mitchum is. I love him as a dirty, nasty villain, in such classics as "Cape Fear" and "Night of the Hunter". But you know what? This just shows he also has a caring side and can actually come across as romantic and sweet when he wants to.Deborah Kerr is also good, but I wish they had not scripted the nun to be so naive. She comes off as very ignorant at times, which is unfair. No doubt any real nun would be quite worldly.

I love stories set in WWII, and I enjoy love stories. I also don't think they no longer, mostly, make pictures like they did prior to the 1960's.This films hit the nail on the head for all of my likes, but it could have been a great mess.Two strong characters combine. One is Mr. Mitchum's typical dark protagonist hero. He is rough, from a rough life, but with a heart of gold. Kerr is a novitiate that would be a nun if the war had not intervened. She is strong and saintly kind. Most believably Mitchum's character falls in love with Kerr's character as they struggle to survive as two against the Japanese enemy and more.The chemistry between the two is dynamic and strong. I found myself hoping Mitchum's character could steal the nun away. The tension between the two and their struggle to stay alive.This is really a love story set in WWII and not a WWII story with a love story. If you want to feel the magical romantic love of days gone by pick up this film. At the very least watch the free for Amazon Prime members show.