The Best Years of Our Lives Movie Review 1946

Three WWII vets return home to try to pick up the threads of their lives. A film that represented a large chunk of American society and helped it readjust to the modern postwar ambience is now considered an American classic. Supporting actor Russell, an actual veteran, holds a record for winning two Oscars for a single role. In addition to his Best Supporting Actor award, Russell was given a special Oscar for bringing hope and courage to fellow veterans. Based on the novella by MacKinlay Kantor. Remade for TV as "Returning Home" in 1975.

Distribution

Baker & Taylor Inc., 2709 Water Ridge Pkwy., Ste. 500, Charlotte, NC 28217, Phone: (704)357-3500, Toll-free: 800-775-1800, Email: btinfo@btol.com, URL: http://www.btol.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 170 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

World War II, Top Grossing Films of 1946, Postwar, Veterans, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Robert Sherwood

Cast

Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Teresa Wright, Dana Andrews, Virginia Mayo, Harold Russell, Hoagy Carmichael, Gladys George, Roman Bohnen, Steve Cochran, Charles Halton, Cathy O'Donnell, Ray Collins, Victor Cutler, Minna Gombell, Walter Baldwin, Dorothy Adams, Don Beddoe, Ray Teal, Howland Chamberlain

Cinematography

Gregg Toland

Director

William Wyler

Music

Hugo Friedhofer

Producer

Samuel Goldwyn

Awards

Oscars 1946: Actor (March), Director (Wyler), Film Editing, Picture, Screenplay, Support. Actor (Russell), Orig. Dramatic Score; AFI 1998: Top 100; British Acad. 1947: Film; Golden Globes 1947: Film--Drama; Natl. Bd. of Review 1946: Director (Wyler), Natl. Film Reg. 1989;; N.Y. Film Critics 1946: Director (Wyler), Film.