Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison hit limited edition Blu-ray from Twilight Time on June 10th
The joys of cinematic discovery sometimes feel as if they know no bounds. For whatever reason my defaults as a filmgoer tend towards genre films such as action and horror, and also towards cinema from the 1970s and onward. I love the occasional classic film, and go on spurts of catching up on greats from yesteryear, but usually I have to be prodded somehow, to my great shame. But enough about shame, because Twilight Time’s release of Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison provided just the prodding I needed to take in this delightful and rich cinematic treasure.
I didn’t just appreciate this film or academically acknowledge its greatness… I felt it. And while the title feels dated and the description of the film didn’t inspire excitement in me, Mr. Allison kicks off with that rarest of things: an absolutely perfect set up. The titular Mr. Allison is Cpl. Allison of the USMC, and played to perfection by Robert Mitchum. We meet him as he drifts alone on the ocean and comes ashore on a curious island complete with structures and signs of civilization, but no humans to be found. Until stumbling upon a church, of all things, complete with a nun inside of it. Deborah Kerr as Sister Angela and Mitchum make very natural acquaintences, slowly explaining their unique stories as to how they ended up in the South Pacific during World War II on a largely deserted island, and it all happens naturally, as a real budding friendship would. With little to no exposition, we live life along with our characters. There’s plenty to laugh about and celebrate as our duo survives and make discoveries about the island and each other. And as the Japanese eventually return to make camp on the island and send our heroes into hiding, there are genuine thrills and excitement pulsing throughout.
Never have I felt such a strong and natural connection between two romantic leads that included almost zero sexual tension whatsoever. While Allison is gruff, having led a hardscrabble life before the Marines became his salvation and identity, there is never any question that he will treat Sister Angela (whom he refers to as “ma’am” throughout, and never has the term “ma’am” felt more affectionate or coy) with the utmost of respect and dignity. Similarly, Sister Angela, while covered up by traditional habit, is always portrayed as genuine in her faith, as well as fully human… complete with a sense of humor. Their friendship is immediate, but their growing affection for one another is earned and organic every step of the way. So while there is no sexual tension to speak of, their genuine relationship is that rarest of Hollywood relationships that feels entirely true to reality from top to bottom. Not to mention the exploration of similarities between their professions and the layers that that exploration offers to our wonderfully fleshed out characters.
And if the lack of sexual tension isn’t a problem so much as a strength, that isn’t only because of how great the relationship between our leads is, but also because of how excellent the screenplay from writer-director John Huston and John Lee Mahin is. I’ve already mentioned how wonderfully exposition free the inciting events unfold. But the excitement level is also all there with a perfect balance between the friendship of our leads and the very real war going on around them. Allison is as pure of a soldier as they come: brave, selfless, quick to improvise and adapt. He keeps himself and “Ma’am” safe in a cave they’ve found and scavenges supplies right under the noses of the Japanese. One really can’t be too sure how the film will play out, even if we know the historical facts of how the war on the South Pacific front ended. Wrought with tension, there are scenes of stealth which are only intensified by our esteem for Allison as a man. And that isn’t to say that Sister Angela simply sits by as Allison bravely acts. Angela proves to be complex and heroic as well as lovely.
Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison has it all. Exciting thrills, boundless chemistry between our leads, beautiful on-location scenery, an endlessly refreshing script, and two lead performances for the ages. And on top of all that… you’ll never quite know exactly how Cpl. Allison and Sister Angela’s relationship will ultimately play out… and far be it from me to spoil that for you. Perhaps director John Huston’s name alone is enough to get you excited about checking out this film. I know his name was the element that most intrigued me. But I can assure you that while Huston is an exciting draw, all the other elements click into place here as well for a film that has a perfect first half and a hugely satisfying second one.
The Package
As mentioned, Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison is shot on location and includes sweeping island vistas to compliment the incredible movie star visages of Ms. Kerr and Mr. Mitchum. This isn’t the absolute most gorgeous transfer I’ve seen from Twilight Time, however. There are a few early shots that appeared soft, focus-wise, and occasionally there is some artifacting that was noticeable without being particularly distracting.
And while this gem of a classic film which I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to see is the absolute draw for this release, there are a few small bonus features as well.
Isolated Music & Effects Track: A Twilight Time standard
Fox Movietone News: A reel of really cool vintage footage culled from 1957 (the year of the film’s release). There’s some authentic South Pacific combat footage from newsreels and even a little bit featuring Deborah Kerr winning some type of award for her role in the film.
Original Theatrical Trailer: Captures the joyous spirit of the film well; you can see it below.
Liner Notes: Another great and insightful essay from Julie Kirgo
I love this movie and had such a joyful experience discovering it. I’d like to show it to my parents, as it is right out of their era and totally in line with the kind of stuff they love. But at the same time, this is a largely timeless film which connected with me as a 30-something on every level intended, from excitement to emotions. Even if this seems like a longshot for your tastes and interests, I highly recommend checking it out.
And I’m Out