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The Best Years of Our Lives

1946 · Movie · NR · 171 min · ★ 7.8 · 96% critics

DramaRomanceWar

Three WWII veterans return to small-town America, excited to be home but forced to face how their lives—and their families—have changed. As they try to readjust, each man’s return quickly brings new struggles, turning the promise of homecoming into something far more difficult.

Also known as Glory for Me · Home Again · Samuel Goldwyn's The Best Years of Our Lives

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Details
Years
1946
Release date
1946-12-25
Language
English
Rated
NR
Runtime
171 min
Max quality
HD
Critic score
96/100
TMDB rating
7.8/10 (739 votes)
Budget
$3,000,000
About

You’ll like this if you want a heartfelt post-WWII drama about veterans adjusting to civilian life and family changes; Not for you if you prefer lighter war stories or fast-moving plots like On the Waterfront or Bright Victory.

Pros: powerful return-to-civilian life; compelling veteran stories; standout ensemble acting | Cons: tough subject matter; some scenes feel slow; length may test patience

Themes

  • post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd)
  • war veteran
  • world war ii
  • bodily disabled person
  • rehabilitation
  • black and white
  • dramatic
  • romantic
  • return from war
  • ww2 veteran

Awards & recognition

  • BAFTA AwardBest Film · 1949
  • Academy AwardBest Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1947
  • Academy AwardBest Picture · 1947
  • Academy AwardBest Original Dramatic or Comedy Score · 1947
  • Academy AwardBest Actor · 1947
Show all 17 awards →
  • Academy AwardBest Director · 1947
  • Academy AwardBest Supporting Actor · 1947
  • Academy AwardBest Film Editing · 1947
  • National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
  • Academy AwardBest Original Dramatic or Comedy Score · 1947 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Actor · 1947 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Picture · 1947 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Film Editing · 1947 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Sound · 1947 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Supporting Actor · 1947 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1947 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Director · 1947 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by William Wyler