The Best Years of Our Lives
Seen it?1946 | 171 min | Drama, Romance, War
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won 7 Oscars, audiences rate it highly (7.7 out of 10) and it made about 11 times its budget. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and history buffs. If you loved Atonement, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Intense, warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 51 min.
- What might put you off
- It's long: 2 hr 51 min.
- Made in 1946: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 93 on Metacritic
- AudiencesStrong
7.7 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 7 Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and 3 more. Won 1 BAFTA: Best Film. Also nominated for 1 more Oscar. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$24 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 256K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
A Walk in the Clouds
Weeknight WatchAnother war drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Suite Française
Sunday Safe BetAnother war drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Legends of the Fall Sunday Safe BetAnother war drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Atonement Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed war drama.
Summerland Weeknight WatchAnother war drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by William Wyler
- Dana AndrewsFred Derry
- Fredric MarchAl Stephenson
- Harold RussellHomer Parrish
- Teresa WrightPeggy Stephenson
- Myrna LoyMilly Stephenson
- Cathy O'DonnellWilma Cameron
- Virginia MayoMarie Derry
- Hoagy CarmichaelButch Engle
- Gladys GeorgeHortense Derry
- Roman BohnenPat Derry