"From Here to Eternity"

Odd as it may seem, it is undeniably fitting that this star carried a picture of Franz Kafka with him wherever he went. Montgomery Clift was completely Kafkaesque-confused about his sexuality, an alcoholic, and rather reluctant to accept or embrace fame. Only through strong friendships like that of Elizabeth Taylor and his work that he was able to find the strength to continue living; especially after a devastating car wreck which left him disfigured in 1957.

He was Hollywood's first "dark-side-of-the-moon actor". Thus, he paved the way for future stars from Marlon Brando to Jennifer Jason Leigh. His angst and passion is what electrified his films; "Red River" (1948), "A Place In The Sun" (1951), "From Here To Eternity" (1953), "Suddenly, Last Summer" (1959), and last but definitely not least, 1960's "Wild River" are films that unveil the essential Clift in a fit of raving passion and integrity. (CD)