
The Best Years of Our Lives
1946 · Movie · NR · 171 min · ★ 7.8 · 96% critics
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 Award — Best Film · 1949
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1947
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1947
- Academy Award — Best Original Dramatic or Comedy Score · 1947
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1947
Show all 17 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1947
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 1947
- Academy Award — Best Film Editing · 1947
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Original Dramatic or Comedy Score · 1947 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1947 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1947 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Film Editing · 1947 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Sound · 1947 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 1947 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay · 1947 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Director · 1947 · nominated
Cast & crew

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
Directed by William Wyler