The Best Years of Our Lives

The Best Years of Our Lives

By William Wyler

  • Genre: Drama
  • Release Date: 1946-11-21
  • Advisory Rating: NR
  • Runtime: 2h 50min
  • Director: William Wyler
  • Production Company: Samuel Goldwyn Productions
  • Production Country: United States of America
  • iTunes Price: USD 9.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
7.787/10
7.787
From 605 Ratings

Description

At the end of World War II, Fred Derry (Dana Andrews), Al Stevenson (Fredric March) and Homer Parrish (Harold Russell) return home to Boone City. Fred was a decorated captain in the Army Air Forces in Europe, Al a sergeant in the Army who saw action in the Pacific, and Homer a sailor who served on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. Homer's ship was sunk, killing many of his fellow sailors; his arms were burned off below the elbow and he now uses metal hook prostheses. The three men share first a plane trip then a cab ride and become friends. Fred eventually finds work when he convinces a foreman who is also a veteran that he can learn new skills just as he learned to be a bombardier. He also finds love in the form of Peggy Stephenson. Al and Milly are opposed at first, but when Fred's marriage finally ends, they become supportive. The movie ends with the Stephenson family, Homer and Wilma, and Fred and Peggy all facing challenging but nonetheless bright futures.

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Reviews

  • In my Top 10

    5
    By Dodrantal Nails
    This movie stands the test of time. Not only does it accurately show men and women coming home from war, but it shows the dynamics of the family readjusting to that homecoming. This is by far one of the best movies to date and deserves more awards than it got.
  • Six stars

    5
    By wily
    It's a black and white war movie from a time when Hollywood was ripe with tripe. What's not to hate? Everything. It's ridiculous to say TBYOOL is the greatest movie ever made because that pool (though small) is populated with many equals. But there is no equal. Essentially, this is a story of "us." How this film captures the ethos of what it means to be an American (well into the 21st Century) is pure voodoo. The characters are refreshingly real (no Hollyweird schmaltz) and the storyline of ex-Warriors attempting to find their place in a new world is as contemprary as today. My favorite scene—Dana Andrews' character realizing that the past is the past and figuring out how to make his current reality "work"...via the cast-off jeer of a job foreman tasked with destroying the only success he had. Like 2001, the first Star Wars V, Dr. Strangelove, The Godfather, Shawshank Remption...TBYOOL has the stuff.
  • A refreshing cinematic experience!

    5
    By emwallac
    It's not often that I can say that I watched a truly pleasurable movie where the characters appeared genuine and altruistic. As a veteran I felt that the director and actors valued America's veterans for their sacrifice and service to their country. Thank you.
  • This Movie is on my top 4 favorite movies!

    5
    By Jonese
    From start to finish, it is one of my favorite films of all times! After watching it you will see why it won all of the awards that it did! Although it was done in 1946, the themes still hit home with todays Vets coming home from war! A must watch for those that served, are serving and to those that have loved ones that are serving and have served!
  • Great WWII Coming Home Story

    5
    By Frank C 66554321.
    A Air Force Captain, a double amputee Sailor and a Army Sergeant take a flight home to Boone City and history is made in this "coming home" film. All three try to fit in and all three work though the troubles by helping each other.

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