Red Sky at Morning

When you're in your 70s and can remember details about a movie that you saw 50 years ago, it does say something about the quality of the film. I don't think I'd care to watch it again--I'd probably be disappointed--but I'll never forget the look on Richard Thomas's face after he trips and falls into . . . No, I won't do a spoiler. Thomas has always been a fine actor even though his post-Waltons' career has been spotty. Desi Arnaz, Jr., is very fine, and it's a shame that his personal problems ran his career off the rails. And Catherine Burns? Two classic film roles and she was pretty much done with her film career, though she did continue as a writer. This odd little movie deserves a better reception and wider audience than it got. I can't verify its availability on dvd, but I suspect it would still hold up well with younger audiences. Back in the day, you'd had a lot of trouble finding a movie that took teenagers seriously. The enveloping action of World War II is both distant and present. A good comparison with an older movie might mention The Human Comedy, with Mickey Rooney doing a serious role while still being thought of as a "chikd star."

This movie defines the word "serendipity" for me. I saw it during my senior year in college when I wandered into a sneak preview at a small theater off campus one Friday night, and was carried away. Never having heard of Richard Bradford or the book on which the film is based, everything about it was fresh and compelling. Like the others who've commented before me, I am both astonished and saddened that it isn't available on videotape or DVD. I believe the director died last year, but apart from Harry Guardino (and perhaps Strother Martin) all the main actors are still alive and active and would be available for any DVD "extras." I keep an eye out in the TV listings for "Red Sky" and watch it every chance I get -- despite some abrupt (and senseless) cuts. For those not aware of it, Bradford also wrote what I'm told is an excellent second novel, "So Far From Heaven." Unfortunately, it's out of print, but I'm haunting the used-book stores in search of it. I envy any of you who haven't been introduced to Bradford's characters on film or printed page.

I viewed this film for the first time in a motel room at White Sands, New Mexico in 1997. I was completely bowled over. This was a stunning piece of photography (yes, filmography) and truly touching in its use of apace, fauna, and New Mexico geography. Richard Thomas and Desi Arnez,jr were wonderful. This is a real "coming of age" film. I wish to high heaven it were on video. I was, obviously, quite moved.

The idea of placing characters from the WWII era in a desert,detached setting seemed uninteresting and silly to me, at first. As the film progressed, however, one realizes that World War is always somewhere in the background, a father who could hold it all together gone. What a trial for the young people of this film and we come to understand them and their anxieties.

I saw this film out of boredom at my small town theater in 74 and it left a lasting impression on me. I have not seen it since but all the images live on in memory. I can only hope the good people at Universal have the wisdom to release it on video or God willing on D.V.D. I can only hope that you too have experienced this film.

Not to put too fine a point on it. I saw this movie and was completely struck by the lushness of everything. Plot, plot twists, music, humor, suspense, coming of age, bittersweet; the whole works.

Saw it about five times, dragging all the people I cared about, because even then, as a self-absorbed know it all twenty year old, I realized you don't really "see" this movie...

you experience it.

Not one false move in the entire movie.

Fast forward 1996, I met a guy on-line and we got to talking about this movie. I'd even gone so far as researching it to pay for a copy, since it wasn't made into a video and the TV edited version was horrible.

The problem is, no one is sure. Pity. It bombed here, but Europeans considered it an American Classic.

Anyway, my friends said, "Yeah, the movie was great, but the book was better." I said

"Book?"

Hot-footing it to the library I got a copy.

Hey! I heard that. Did too give it back.

Guessing the author still lived in New Mexico, I called him, 26 years later to thank him and followed up with a letter.

He wrote back and mentioned the publishing industry is no longer populated by gentlemen, and the best thing about making the movie was he got to meet Claire Bloom.

I asked him to write again, because he intrigued me with his modesty. But I guess he figured me for a stalker and didn't. and that's how much I liked that movie.

Roger Ebert....where are you?

Bonnie