Fresh
William Wyler's powerful, if cumbersome prestige picture ...
Keith Uhlich, Time Out New York
The Best Years of Our Lives
Three wonderful loves in the best picture of the year!
1946 · 2h 51m · Approved
Drama, Romance, War
Directed by
William Wyler
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The Best Years of Our Lives
Overview
It's the hope that sustains the spirit of every GI: the dream of the day when he will finally return home. For three WWII veterans, the day has arrived. But for each man, the dream is about to become a nightmare.
Director and cast
- William Wyler Director
- Dana Andrews as Fred Derry
- Fredric March as Al Stephenson
- Harold Russell as Homer Parrish
- Teresa Wright as Peggy Stephenson
- Myrna Loy as Milly Stephenson
- Cathy O'Donnell as Wilma Cameron
- Virginia Mayo as Marie Derry
- Hoagy Carmichael as Butch Engle
- Gladys George as Hortense Derry
- Roman Bohnen as Pat Derry
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
97%
Tomatometer
Fresh
Profoundly and sensitively balances the private demons of scarred veterans and the press of public policies that leave their mark on daily life.
Richard Brody, New Yorker
Fresh
Although it contains moving passages, Best Years is not much more than a conventional drama on the problems of servicemen attempting to adjust to life in postwar America, well served by an all-star cast and Toland's ingenious deep-focus setups.
Elliott Stein, Village Voice
Fresh
One of the best pictures of our lives.
Abel Green, Variety
Fresh
Surprisingly modern: lean, direct, honest about issues that Hollywood then studiously avoided.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
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