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The Best Years of Our Lives

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The Best Years of Our Lives

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Summary

Oscar-winning drama starring Myrna Loy and Fredric March. Three servicemen return home to America after the Second World War and find it hard to adjust to civilian life.

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Review

A star rating of 5 out of 5.

Tony Sloman

Undoubtedly one of the finest and most satisfying achievements in American cinema, this Samuel Goldwyn production now tends, regrettably, to be overlooked by film scholars. The tale of three returning GIs adjusting to civilian life after the Second World War may have lost some relevance post-Vietnam, but there's no denying the magnificent craftsmanship as director William Wyler and photographer Gregg Toland (Citizen Kane) bring Robert Sherwood's vivid screenplay to life. Stars Fredric March, Myrna Loy and Dana Andrews are at their postwar peaks here, but it is the performance of real-life wartime amputee Harold Russell that is most touching, and he rightly won two Academy Awards for his role (a special award for bringing hope to other veterans along with that of best supporting actor). Awarded six other Oscars, this movie is hard to overpraise: clocking in at close to three hours, it provides a substantial and rewarding experience for all who watch it.

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8.1/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameMilly StephensonMyrna LoyAl StephensonFredric MarchFred DerryDana AndrewsPeggy StephensonTeresa WrightMarie DerryVirginia MayoWilma CameronCathy O'DonnellHomer ParrishHarold RussellButch EngleHoagy CarmichaelHortense DerryGladys GeorgePat DerryRoman BohnenMr MiltonRay CollinsCliffSteve Cochran

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Crew

rolenameDirectorWilliam Wyler

Details

Theatrical distributor

R.K.O. Radio Pictures Ltd

Languages

English

Available on

video and DVD

Formats

Black and white

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