The Best Years of Our Lives
US (1946): Drama
Winner of seven Academy Awards®, including best picture, director, actor, and screenplay, William Wyler's brilliant drama about domestic life after World War II remains one of the all-time classics of American cinema. Inspired by a pictorial article about returning soldiers in Life magazine, the story focuses on three war veterans (Fredric March, Dana Andrews, and Harold Russell in unforgettable roles) and their rocky readjustment to civilian life in their Midwestern town of Boone City. Capturing the contradictory moods of America in the mid to late 1940s, this three-hour drama spans a complex range of honest emotions, from joyous celebration and happy reunion to deep-rooted ambivalence and reassessment of personal priorities. Supporting cast includes Myrna Loy, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo, Cathy O'Donnell, Hoagy Carmichael and Gladys George. A movie milestone when released in 1946, The Best Years of Our Lives still packs a punch with powerful, timeless themes. (Amazon.com)
Use this link to view the trailer for the theatrical re-issue of The Best Years of Our Lives on TCM.com.
· Best Picture 1946: Goldwyn/RKO Radio (Samuel Goldwyn, producer)
· Best Actor 1946: Fredric March
· Best Supporting Actor 1946: Harold Russell
· Best Directing 1946: William Wyler
· Writing (Best Screenplay) 1946: Robert E. Sherwood
· Best Film Editing 1946: Daniel Mandell
· Music Scoring Awards (Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture) 1946: Hugo Friedhofer
· Special Award 1946: Harold Russell "for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance in The Best Years of Our Lives"
· Sound Recording 1946: Gordon E. Sawyer
8 nominations, 7 Awards, 1 Special Award