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Until They Sail
Until They Sail
Until They Sail
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Until They Sail
Original poster
Directed byRobert Wise
Screenplay byRobert Anderson
Based onUntil They Sail
Return to Paradise
1950 story
by James A. Michener
Produced byCharles Schnee
StarringJean Simmons
Joan Fontaine
Paul Newman
Piper Laurie
Sandra Dee
CinematographyJoseph Ruttenberg
Edited byHarold F. Kress
Music byDavid Raksin
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • October 8, 1957 (1957-10-08)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1,841,000[1]
Box office$1,420,000[1]

Until They Sail is a 1957 American black-and-white CinemaScope drama film directed by Robert Wise and starring Jean Simmons, Joan Fontaine, Paul Newman, Piper Laurie and Sandra Dee.[2][3] The screenplay by Robert Anderson, based on a story by James A. Michener included in his 1951 anthology Return to Paradise, focuses on four New Zealand sisters and their relationships with U.S. Marines during World War II.

Plot

[edit]

The film opens in a Christchurch courtroom, where testimony prompts Barbara Leslie to flashback to the events that led to the trial. She and her sisters Anne, Evelyn, and Delia live in Christchurch, where most of the male residents, including their brother Kit and Barbara's new husband Mark, are preparing to leave for World War II duty. Delia announces her engagement to Phil "Shiner" Friskett, who is one of the city's few remaining bachelors, but word of Kit's death dampens the celebration. Repressed and judgmental spinster sister Anne disapproves of the upcoming nuptials, but Barbara defends Delia's decision.

Within weeks of the marriage, the sisters come to resent Shiner's abuse and are happy to see him leave for active duty. Delia moves to Wellington to work for the New Zealand Navy. When several hundred U.S. Marines are shipped to Christchurch following the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the lonely local women are flattered by the attention they pay them. When Evelyn invites Capt. Richard "Dick" Bates to dinner, he declines the offer, but not without attracting Anne's eye.

Concerned about Delia, Anne sends Barbara to Wellington, where she discovers her sister is registered at the St. George Hotel under her maiden name. Shiner is now a prisoner of war, and Delia has become involved with an American lieutenant named Andy. She plans to divorce Shiner and emigrate to the United States. Andy introduces Barbara to his friend Jack Harding, a Marine reviewing the backgrounds of prospective New Zealand brides of American soldiers. Although Barbara intends to remain faithful to her husband, she finds herself attracted to Jack.

Back in Christchurch, Anne is outraged by the lewd comments made by American servicemen in the lingerie shop where she works and writes a letter of complaint to the local paper. Following its publication, Dick is sent to the Leslie home to deliver a formal apology on behalf of the Marine Corps. Anne invites him to dinner, and Dick arrives with a gift of perfume for each sister. Anne accuses him of trying to seduce them.

Soon after, Barbara and Anne learn of Mark's death in North Africa and Dick's departure for active duty. He eventually returns to New Zealand to recuperate from an injury, and a romance between him and Anne blossoms. He proposes, but before the required marital investigation can take place, he is given offshore duty, leaving Anne expecting their child and unsure of what the future holds for them.

Jack arrives at the Leslie home to conduct his investigation of Anne, and he advises her that wartime romances stem from loneliness rather than love. Barbara tells him his assessment is heartless. Shortly after, she discovers Dick's name on the latest casualty list. Weeks later, Jack runs into Barbara at a local dance, where she suggests he uses alcohol to avoid intimacy. He breaks down in her arms, and a strong friendship between the two blossoms.

Jack celebrates Christmas Eve with the Leslie family, which now includes Anne's newborn son. When he announces his imminent departure, he and Barbara share an amorous embrace. Months later, Evelyn's sweetheart Tommy returns from war and proposes to her. Barbara sees an item from Richard's mother in the personals section of the newspaper, containing a request from Dick's mother to hear from any New Zealand family who knew her son. After Barbara writes to her, Dick's mother sends money to finance Anne and her baby's move to Oklahoma to live with their family.

The day of Anne's departure coincides with the Japanese announcing the end of hostilities. Delia has arrived in Wellington to see Anne off and to ask Shiner, recently rescued from a P.O.W. camp, for a divorce so she can leave for America with her latest lover. Infuriated, Shiner kills his wife with a Japanese sword he brought back from the war.

Weeks later, during the murder trial, Jack is forced to reveal his investigation report detailing Delia's seven affairs with American soldiers. Upset that her sister's infidelities seemingly have justified her savage murder, Barbara refuses Jack's invitation to leave New Zealand with him. Upon reflection, she packs her belongings and arrives at Jack's hotel to tell him she's ready to embark upon a new life with him.

Cast

[edit]

Music

[edit]

The score for the film was composed and conducted by David Raksin. The title song included lyrics by Sammy Cahn and was performed under the main titles by vocalist Eydie Gorme.[4]

The complete score was issued on CD in 2009, on Film Score Monthly records.

Production

[edit]

Robert Wise and Mark Robson had originally purchased the rights for Michener's story when they were at RKO. Casting problems forced them to delay the filming when the rights went to Hecht-Hill-Lancaster Productions who were going to cast Burt Lancaster. When the company made The Kentuckian instead, MGM acquired the rights, first intending their contract lead Glenn Ford playing the lead Marine. Robert Wise then reacquired the film through MGM in his last film of his contract with the studio.[5]

Wise visited New Zealand to familiarise himself with the nation and the people. Location filming took place in Christchurch and Wellington in February 1957, but most of the movie was shot on the MGM back lot.[6][7] Wise originally intended to shoot the film in colour.[8]

It was Sandra Dee's first film. (The 1957 Soviet animated feature The Snow Queen is often listed as Dee's first film credit, because she and other Hollywood stars did the voices for the English-language version, but that English-language audio was not actually made until 1959.)

Stewart Granger was once announced for the lead.[9]

Box office

[edit]

According to MGM records, the film earned $745,000 in the US and Canada and $675,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss of $1,055,000.[1]

Critical reception

[edit]

Bosley Crowther of The New York Times observed, "The genuine tugs at the heart are few and far between in this bittersweet but basically restrained chronicle. Robert Anderson's adaptation . . . is honest and straightforward . . . Unfortunately there is a good deal of introspective soul-searching before this narrative arrives at its sad and happy endings."[10]

William K. Zinsser of the New York Herald Tribune wrote that the film "has moments of genuine tenderness and truth."[11]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Until They Sail

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Until They Sail is a American black-and-white drama film directed by . Based on the short story "Until They Sail" by from his 1950 collection Return to Paradise, the film stars , , , , and as four sisters living in during who form romantic relationships with American servicemen stationed in the country. Produced by (MGM), it explores themes of love, infidelity, and the impact of war on women left behind. The story centers on the Leslie sisters—eldest Barbara (Jean Simmons), Anne (Joan Fontaine), Delia (Piper Laurie), and youngest Evelyn (Sandra Dee)—whose father is away at war and mother has passed away, leaving them to manage their household in Christchurch, New Zealand. Following the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, American Marines arrive, leading each sister to pursue a relationship with a serviceman, with one hasty marriage ending in tragedy and a courtroom trial. Filmed on location in and , , as well as in Hollywood, , the production utilized for its widescreen presentation and ran for 95 minutes. The screenplay was adapted by Robert Anderson from Michener's story, with Wise—known for later Academy Award-winning films like (1961)—at the helm, marking an early leading role for . Released on October 8, 1957, by , the film highlighted the experiences of women in the Pacific theater, drawing from real historical contexts of U.S. troops in . Critically, Until They Sail received mixed reviews, with a 67% approval rating on based on six critic reviews, praised for its strong performances by Simmons and Newman but critiqued for elements. It holds a 6.5 out of 10 rating on from over 1,800 user votes, noted for its emotional depth in portraying wartime romances. The film remains a lesser-known entry in Wise's filmography but is valued for its focus on female perspectives during .

Synopsis and cast

Plot

The film is presented as a flashback framed by a murder trial in a , where Barbara Leslie testifies about the events leading to the of her sister Delia. The narrative begins in 1941 in , introducing the four Leslie sisters—eldest Barbara, the responsible married woman; Anne, the repressed spinster; Delia, the impulsive flirt; and youngest Evelyn, the naive teenager—amid strained family dynamics following their father's in , their mother's recent passing, and their brother Kit's service in the , where he is later killed. Barbara is married to Mark , a mobilized when escalates, eventually reported missing and presumed dead, leaving the sisters to manage their household in isolation. With local men departing for war, the arrival of U.S. after the 1941 attack brings new romantic possibilities, disrupting the sisters' lives. , seeking companionship, forms a romance with kind-hearted American Capt. Richard Bates, which results in and eventual support from his family after challenges. Delia, restless, marries rough local Phil "Shiner" Friskett, a New Zealand soldier who is captured as a POW; while he is away, she moves to and engages in affairs with American officers, seeking excitement amid wartime upheaval. Evelyn, innocent and youthful, flirts with American servicemen like Lt. Max Gershner but ultimately marries her local sweetheart Tommy, highlighting the tensions between local loyalties and foreign allure. Barbara, devoted to her missing husband, cautiously bonds with cynical American Marine Capt. Jack Harding, an officer investigating prospective war brides; their relationship evolves into love as she grapples with grief and moral dilemmas over fidelity. The story culminates in the courtroom trial for Shiner's murder of , whom he kills in a jealous rage with a upon his return from captivity, upon discovering her . Testimonies, including from Jack, reveal the sisters' wartime choices and the moral complexities of love and betrayal in isolated , exposing the war's profound impact on women's lives. In resolution, with truths uncovered, Barbara finds hope, choosing to leave for America with Jack, symbolizing renewal amid loss.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast centered on the four Leslie sisters, portraying distinct responses to love and war's disruptions in . portrays the resilient eldest sister Barbara Leslie Forbes, who narrates and faces dilemmas with American servicemen after her husband's death. plays the prim and repressed spinster sister Anne Leslie, whose romance with an American challenges her solitude. depicts the impulsive and flirtatious Delia Leslie, whose marriage and indiscretions lead to tragedy. debuts as the naive youngest sister Evelyn Leslie, whose flirtations underscore wartime social dynamics. Paul Newman stars as Capt. Jack Harding, the principled yet cynical American Marine officer investigating war brides who becomes involved with the family. Supporting roles include Charles Drake as the kind-hearted Capt. Richard Bates, who courts Anne; as the abusive local "Shiner" Phil Friskett, Delia's husband; and as the presiding judge. Other performers include as the prosecution attorney and Ralph Votrian as Lt. Max Gershner, an American suitor, emphasizing cross-cultural wartime ties.

Production

Development and pre-production

Until They Sail is based on the short story of the same name by James A. Michener, included in his 1951 anthology Return to Paradise. The adaptation rights were initially acquired on 24 December 1952 by directors Robert Wise and Mark Robson through their production company, Aspen Pictures, but development stalled due to casting challenges. The rights were then acquired by Hecht-Lancaster-Hill Productions on 14 September 1953, before Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) purchased them in December 1955, enabling the project to move forward. Screenwriter Robert Anderson crafted the script, accentuating the cultural tensions between local New Zealanders and visiting American servicemen to heighten the drama's emotional depth. Pre-production advanced in 1956, with the film officially announced that August and Wise confirmed as director shortly after completing Somebody Up There Likes Me. Producer Charles Schnee, known for his work on MGM's historical dramas, supervised preparations, prioritizing period-accurate representations of wartime life. Initial casting included in a lead role, capitalizing on his emerging status as a leading man. Script adjustments were made to sensitively depict society, avoiding stereotypes in the portrayal of its people and settings.

Filming

Principal photography for Until They Sail commenced in mid-March 1957 and continued through early May, spanning approximately eight weeks, with the majority of scenes filmed on the backlots in . To enhance authenticity, the production included on-location shooting in and , New Zealand, in February 1957, capturing key harbor and courtroom sequences that reflected the story's setting during . The film was lensed in black-and-white by acclaimed cinematographer , whose work emphasized the stark emotional contrasts of wartime life, while editor Harold F. Kress handled the assembly to maintain narrative flow. The production team simulated the WWII-era Pacific theater environment primarily through practical sets and location work, avoiding reliance on extensive to focus on character-driven drama. This marked the film debut of 14-year-old model , who portrayed the youngest sister Evelyn Leslie; as a newcomer, she navigated her first major role amidst established stars, later recalling the transition from modeling to acting as a significant learning experience on set. To accurately depict culture, the crew employed local extras in the on-location scenes, integrating authentic regional elements into the wartime narrative.

Music

The original score for Until They Sail was composed by David Raksin, a prolific film composer renowned for his melodic and emotionally resonant work. Raksin crafted a score that features romantic motifs to underscore the deep bonds among the four sisters and dramatic orchestral elements to convey the underlying wartime tension and separations caused by . Recorded in 1957 at the Studios Scoring Stage in , the score was conducted by Raksin himself, with additional conducting by Director of Music , and performed by the Studio Orchestra using orchestrations by contributors including Leo Arnaud and . The film's title song, with lyrics by set to Raksin's main theme, was performed by vocalist . Its lush, heartfelt rendition replaced the planned instrumental main title in the due to the song's exceptional melodic appeal, and it recurs in key emotional scenes to heighten moments of longing and farewell. The complete score saw its first commercial release in 2009 on Film Score Monthly's limited-edition 5-CD set David Raksin at M-G-M (Vol. 12, No. 2), restricted to 1,500 copies and featuring restorations from original monaural magnetic film, optical film, and acetate sources. Disc 5 dedicates its first 18 tracks to Until They Sail, spanning a total runtime of 41:12 for the score cues, with additional bonus tracks providing alternate versions and orchestral demos of the title song. Raksin's musical style in the score combines sweeping orchestral with modern American influences, incorporating accessible melodies, dense orchestrations, and occasional jazz-tinged elements in lighter cues to reflect the film's blend of intimate drama and historical backdrop.

Release

Distribution and premiere

The film had its world premiere on September 26, 1957, in , , and , , followed by the New York premiere on October 8, 1957. It entered wide release across the in October 1957 through (MGM) distribution, presented in black-and-white with a 2.55:1 . MGM's promotional efforts included pressbooks and advertising materials that emphasized the film's basis in James A. Michener's from his 1951 collection Return to Paradise, alongside the star power of leads and . Posters and inserts highlighted the wartime romance narrative, targeting audiences drawn to dramas with a feminine perspective. The campaign positioned the film as a slow-moving adult war story suitable for general exhibition. The film received MPAA certificate of approval #18590, confirming compliance with the Motion Picture Production Code () enforced during the 1950s for family-friendly content. It earned a "B" rating from the , deemed objectionable in part for all audiences due to . International rollout began in late with a Canadian release on October 23, followed by European markets in 1958, including on May 5 and on August 21.

Box office

Until They Sail had a of $1,841,000. According to , the film earned $745,000 in rentals from the and and $675,000 from overseas markets, for a worldwide total of approximately $1.4 million. Despite these earnings, the film incurred an overall loss of $1,055,000, influenced by factors such as intense competition from other major 1957 releases like The Bridge on the River Kwai. In comparative context, the film's performance was modest relative to other works by director , such as his later success (1961), which grossed over $43 million domestically. No significant data exists for modern re-releases.

Home media and availability

Following its theatrical run, Until They Sail was first made available on home video in the 1980s through VHS releases distributed by MGM/UA Home Video. A later VHS edition followed in 1992, also from MGM Home Entertainment, marking the film's initial widespread availability in the analog format. The film received its first major digital restoration with the 2011 DVD release under the Warner Archive Collection, featuring a remastered black-and-white transfer enhanced for clarity and detail in its original CinemaScope aspect ratio. This edition includes the original theatrical trailer as its primary special feature, along with English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, and has been praised for its sharp video quality that preserves the film's wartime atmosphere without modern alterations. No Blu-ray edition from Warner Bros. or MGM has been issued in the United States, though a region-free Spanish-dubbed Blu-ray with English audio options became available internationally in 2014 via smaller distributors. As of 2025, Until They Sail remains under active protection, with no status, ensuring controlled distribution through licensed channels. Digitally, it is available for purchase or rental on platforms including Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home, while streaming access is provided via subscription. The film also airs periodically on (TCM) as part of their classic film programming, with a scheduled broadcast in September 2025, though on-demand streaming through TCM's services is limited to cable provider access. International availability includes region-specific DVD editions, such as Region 2 versions in , but no 4K UHD release exists in any market.

Reception and legacy

Critical reception

Upon its release in 1957, Until They Sail received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the strong performances in the ensemble cast while critiquing the script's handling of multiple storylines and the film's overall pacing. of described the narrative as an "adult approach to an important facet of ," but faulted its "good deal of introspective soul-searching" that delayed the emotional resolutions, resulting in uneven pacing and limited dramatic highs. Other reviewers highlighted the film's exploration of wartime morality among women, noting it as better than typical soap operas due to its tender romantic moments. Critics particularly commended the acting, with and receiving acclaim for their chemistry and portrayals of complex romantic leads. Simmons was lauded for her heartfelt performance in the love scenes, bringing emotional depth to her character's struggles, while Newman's role as the cynical American major was seen as a standout, solidifying his rising status as a leading man. The ensemble, including and , was appreciated for conveying the sisters' familial dynamics effectively, though some noted the script's weaknesses in balancing the four parallel storylines, leading to underdeveloped arcs for secondary characters. Director was viewed as competent in managing the framing and period authenticity, though his work was described as unremarkable compared to his more acclaimed efforts. Aggregate scores reflect this tempered reception: as of 2025, reports a 67% approval rating based on 6 reviews, indicating a generally positive but limited consensus. On , the film holds a user average of 6.5/10 from 1,805 ratings, as of November 2025, with viewers often citing the acting as a highlight amid inconsistencies. The film garnered no major Academy Award nominations, but it was noted for launching debut performances, particularly Sandra Dee's portrayal of the youngest sister, which earned her the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer - Female in 1958.

Legacy

Until They Sail has gained recognition for its portrayal of New Zealand-American relations during World War II, particularly the phenomenon of American servicemen marrying local women, with estimates suggesting over 15,000 such war brides from the region. The film depicts the Leslie sisters navigating romance, loss, and societal shifts as U.S. Marines arrive in their isolated country, highlighting cultural clashes and alliances amid wartime upheaval. In contemporary analyses, these themes are reexamined through modern feminist perspectives, emphasizing the sisters' agency and emotional resilience in the absence of male figures, contrasting traditional expectations of female passivity during the era. The film's rediscovery in the 2020s stems from periodic airings on , including schedules in and September 2024 and June 2025, which have introduced it to new audiences appreciative of its ensemble cast—including , , , and debutante —and Robert Wise's direction, even as some critiques note script inconsistencies. Release through on DVD has made it available to classic film enthusiasts. Scholarly discussions position Until They Sail within James A. Michener's oeuvre of fiction, adapted from his 1950 short story in Return to Paradise. While not a direct progenitor, its emphasis on women's interpersonal bonds amid global conflict has been cited in studies of postwar representations of and nationhood, influencing later examinations of war romances that prioritize emotional rather than military drama. Modern availability has enhanced the film's visibility, with streaming options on platforms like and digital rentals via Amazon Video and Apple TV since the early 2020s, alongside ongoing home media sales without significant restorations. This accessibility has sustained interest, allowing retrospective views that appreciate its historical specificity despite its initial mixed reception.

References

  1. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2967/until-they-sail
  2. https://www.amazon.com/Until-They-Sail-Remastered-Simmons/dp/B0052YHHFA
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051141/
  4. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/until_they_sail
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051141/fullcredits/
  6. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/52428
  7. https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/27055259/boxoffice-august041956
  8. https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/117594470/hollywood-film-shot-in-christchurch-in-1950s--and-in-a-fake-nz-in-a-us-studio
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051141/locations
  10. https://goldenglobes.com/articles/summer-movies-starring-siren-sandra-dee/
  11. https://www.americanmusicpreservation.com/DavidRaksinatMGM.htm
  12. https://moviemusicuk.us/2015/05/01/david-raksin-fathers-of-film-music-part-10/
  13. https://www.soundtrackcorner.de/david-raksin-at-m-g-m-p3264.htm
  14. https://www.discogs.com/release/10583313-David-Raksin-David-Raksin-at-M-G-M-1950-1957
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051141/releaseinfo/
  16. https://www.ebay.com/itm/256805445402
  17. https://archive.org/stream/motionpictureexh59jaye/motionpictureexh59jaye_djvu.txt
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0051141/parentalguide/
  19. https://movies.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_MGM_Home_Entertainment_releases
  20. https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/52523/until-they-sail/
  21. https://www.copyright.gov/history/copyright-exhibit/lifecycle/
  22. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/until-they-sail
  23. https://www.ebay.com/p/2317081583
  24. https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1957/12/7/macleans-movies
  25. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/until_they_sail/reviews
  26. https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/until-they-sail/
  27. https://search.proquest.com/openview/9add2cef7a67f4a41fb7c6c33913236a/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
  28. https://assets.tcm.com/projects/nowplaying/pdfs/2024/April/NPN_APR24_MoviesA-Z_FINAL.pdf?lid=awv5uk695fzz
  29. https://assets.tcm.com/projects/nowplaying/pdfs/2024/September/NPN_SEP24_MoviesA-Z_Final2.pdf
  30. https://assets.tcm.com/projects/nowplaying/pdfs/2025/June/NPN_JUN25_MoviesA-Z_Final.pdf?cid=NowPlayingNow_Alphabetical-List&lid=6gjcaioffbxk
  31. https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/52523/until-they-sail/?___rd=1
  32. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44019085
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