The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

Russell, Wright, Andrews, Loy, Carmichael and March

'The Best Years of Our Lives' is a deeply moving film drama about the problems of adjustment facing returning ex-servicemen and their families after the Second World War. Made in 1946 when these problems were very real. It was directed by William Wyler and stars Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Virginia Mayo, Harold Russell and Teresa Wright.

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The film received generally good critical reviews but the public were in no doubt and made it a massive success at the box office, the biggest since 'Gone With The Wind' in 1939. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won seven, including Best Picture, Best Director for William Wyler, Best Actor for Fredric March, and Best Supporting Actor for Harold Russell. There was even an additional Special Award for Harold Russell, a real-life war veteran and double amputee from a ship explosion, who had already gained the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, for inspiring hope and courage through his appearance in the movie.

In addition the producer, Sam Goldwyn, received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award that year for the "high quality of motion picture production" which the movie embodied. In the American film Institute's list of 100 Top Movies, 'The Best Years of Our Lives' is ranked at number 37.

The movie explores the intertwined stories of three servicemen who return from their wartime duties to their previous lives which they find much changed. The three returning veterans are from different social classes; the well-to-do (March), middle class (Russell) and working class (Andrews) but all share the common burden of readjustment. The problems they face are described including domestic tragedies, unemployment, family conflicts, alcoholism and adultery.

The story is brought vividly to life by a highly talented cast including experienced professionals like Fredric March and Myrna Loy and complete newcomers like Harold Russell who movingly and honestly portrays the psychological roblems faced by disabled veterans. The stories of the servicemen and their families are the personal dramas of ordinary people to which the audience can relate.

'The Best Years of Our Lives' is expertly constructed by William Wyler. He allows nothing to distract from the dramatic flow of the narrative and although at just under three hours, it is a long film, there are no extraneous scenes and the audience's attention is never allowed to wander. Wyler was himself a veteran of WWII service after service in the US Army Air Corps, during which he had flown combat missions over Europe to make morale-boosting, war-related documentaries. Wyler's cinematographer, Gregg Toland, already famous for his work in such films as 'Citizen Kane' in 1941, made a major contribution to 'The Best Years of Our Lives' with his signature deep-focus camera work, crisp images and well-framed scenes.

The wonderful screenplay by Robert E. Sherwood is adapted from a novel called "Glory For Me" written by MacKinlay Kantor at the suggestion of Sam Goldwyn. The music by Hugo Friedhofer helps to unite the three storylines without ever being intrusive making the experience of seeing the movie a very personal one.

Despite its emotive subject matter, Wyler is careful never to let the film get over-sentimental. It is genuinely moving, perceptive and clever, with some great scenes, and an important message to convey. It is a Hollywood masterpiece, quite simply one of the finest movies ever made.