The Best Years of Our Lives Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 514

Average Rating: 3.1/4

# of Ratings: 79

Theatrical Release Date: 11/21/1946

Language: English

Genre: Drama, Mystery

MPAA Rating: PG

Director: William Wyler

Actors: Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Hoagy Carmichael, Harold Russell, Myrna Loy, Teresa Wright

Plot: Three WWII veteran return home to the towns they came from in which they realized that everything has changed while they were fighting for their country.

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 05/27/2019

Even generations not living in the immediate aftermath of war are sure to be moved by this portrait of soldiers readjusting to their old lives.

Unknown - wrote on 04/01/2013

An honest look at American issues and the troubles that returning war veterans faced at the time. I found it to be a well-written and acted drama, all about the examination of it's characters and the path laid out before them. I did think it was a bit overlong, but none of the running time is wasted. I even prefer this to 'The Deer Hunter'.

mitchellyoung - wrote on 10/07/2010

Fantastically acted - the particular plot with the soldier who loses a hand feels extremely contemporary and moving. I actually don't understand some of the hate for this film on this site. It's pretty moving.

SteelCity99
Director

The Best Years of Our Lives

SteelCity99 - wrote on 04/21/2018

As you may already know, melodrama and patriotism do not live in harmony with my cinematic criticism, and even so, I must raise my hand and highlight the overabundant optimism, thought-provoking fables and a war nostalgia perfectly captured on film. Multiphacetic characters are developed passionately as they have to confront their personal demons while reassuming their societal roles and placing their existentialist priorities. Wyler transforms 172 minutes of plot development and hard-to-digest events in 120 minutes of laughs, tears and meaningful conclusions. The optimism of the now-pretentious figures like Spielberg and Eastwood are found here, in every frame, in every moment. This can be labeled as the official response to WWII by the US in the same way Roma, Città Aperta and Ladri …

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

The Best Years of Our Lives review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 01/11/2013

A story that revolves around World War II soldiers Fred Derry (Dana Andrews), Homer Parrish (Harold Russell), and Al Stephenson (Fredric March). Al has a family namely Milly (Myrna Loy), adult daughter Peggy (Teresa Wright), and son Rob. Their lives will be intertwined and complicated after they got home.

Score, direction, screenplay and acting were superb. If only the pace and length were better and the cheese factor could have been removed. Some memorable lines: Milly - "How many times have we had to fall in love all over again?" Fred - "It may take us years to get anywhere. We'll have no money, no decent place to live. We'll have to work, get kicked around." The Best Years of Our Lives is a well crafted picture with themes of sacrifice, compromise, hardships and true love.

Ichabod Crane
Movie God

Effective but not perfect.

Ichabod Crane - wrote on 02/20/2009

An effective but not perfect film about returning veterans. Basically gives three probable examples of problems war veterans would face. In this case finding a job out of the military, grown family and vet ran having to deal with a physical disability due to war. The last is the best and most effective, the job one is almost perfect but a little quick, and the growing family never is that much of a problem to get over in the movie. He also deals with the banking policies which is never fully resolved. Anyways effective enough gives you the feeling of what it would be like so it is good. I do think that its a Wonderful Life another best picture contender was even better.

Oscar Win Best Actor Frederich March 2/5- Frederich March is okay in this and he might of been a 3 if he had just …