The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) | |
| Director(s) | William Wyler |
| Producer(s) | Samuel Goldwyn, Lester Koenig (associate uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Drama, Romance, War |
| Top Topics | Book-Based, Husband Wife, Marriage, Romance (Drama) |
Featured Cast:
The Best Years of Our Lives Overview:
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by William Wyler and produced by Samuel Goldwyn and Lester Koenig.
The film was based on the novel Glory for Me written by MacKinlay Kantor published in 1945.
SYNOPSIS
Perhaps the most memorable film about the aftermath of WWII, it unfolds with the homecoming of three veterans to the same small town. The leads all touch emotional truths: Loy seems able to express longing, joy, fear, and surprise - even with her back turned - in a particularly poignant welcome home. The movie never glosses over the reality of altered lives and the inability to communicate the experience of war on the front lines or the home front. A landmark achievement. WWII vet Russell, who lost his hands in the war, is the only person to win two Oscars for the same role, Best Supporting Actor and a special Oscar "for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance."
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.The Best Years of Our Lives was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1989.
Academy Awards 1946 --- Ceremony Number 19 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Actor | Fredric March | Won |
| Best Supporting Actor | Harold Russell | Won |
| Best Director | William Wyler | Won |
| Best Film Editing | Daniel Mandell | Won |
| Best Music - Scoring | Hugo Friedhofer | Won |
| Best Picture | Samuel Goldwyn Productions | Won |
| Best Writing | Robert E. Sherwood | Won |
| Special Award | To Harold Russell for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance in The Best Years of Our Lives. | Won |
BlogHub Articles:
The Best Years of Our Lives: The 2026 TCM Film Festival – Part 1
By shadowsandsatin on Jun 4, 2026 From Shadows and SatinAnother TCM film festival is in the books, and it was just as fabulous this year as it was the first time I attended back in 2013 ? four wonderful days filled with films, friends, and fantastic special guests! As you may know, for the last six years, I?ve attended the festival with my older daughter... Read full article
The Best Years of Our Lives: My Watchlist for the 2026 TCM Film Festival
By shadowsandsatin on Apr 19, 2026 From Shadows and SatinIt?s hard to believe that the 2026 TCM Film Festival ? my 12th in-person and 14th overall ? will kick off in just two weeks! It seems that I live my entire year waiting for this event; it always seems so far away, and then before I know it, it?s here and gone, and I?m living for the next one. Becaus... Read full article
"The Best Years of Our Lives" is the Best Picture of 1946
By Stephen Reginald on Aug 22, 2022 From Classic Movie Man"The Best Years of Our Lives" is the Best Picture of 1946 The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) is an American drama directed by William Wyler and starring Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Virginia Mayo. The screenplay was written by Robert E. Sherwood, based on a novella... Read full article
Book Review: Making The Best Years of Our Lives: The Hollywood Classic That Inspired a Nation
By Stephen Reginald on Aug 17, 2022 From Classic Movie ManBook Review: Making The Best Years of Our Lives: The Hollywood Classic That Inspired a Nation The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) is one of the most honored and beloved films from Hollywood's Golden Age. It was released over 75 years ago. Author and film historian, Alison Macor has written a ver... Read full article
Best Picture of 1946: "The Best Years of Our Lives"
By Stephen Reginald on Mar 7, 2021 From Classic Movie ManBest Picture of 1946: "The Best Years of Our Lives" The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) is an American drama directed by William Wyler and starring Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Virginia Mayo. The screenplay was written by Robert E. Sherwood, based on a novella, Glor... Read full article
See all The Best Years of Our Lives articles
Quotes from
Fred Derry: Working.
Peggy Stephenson: Yes, Dad told me he heard you were in some kind of building work.
Fred Derry: Well, that's a hopeful way of putting it. I'm really in the junk business - an occupation for which many people feel I'm well-qualified by temperament and training.
Marie Derry: What do you think I was doing all those years?
Fred Derry: I don't know, babe, but I can guess.
Marie Derry: Go ahead. Guess your head off. I could do some guessing myself. What were you up to in London and Paris and all those places? I've given you every chance to make something of yourself. I gave up my own job when you asked me. I gave up the best years of my life, and what have you done? You flopped! Couldn't even hold that job at the drugstore. So I'm going back to work for myself and that means I'm gonna live for myself too. And in case you don't understand English, I'm gonna get a divorce. What have you got to say to that?
Fred Derry: Don't keep Cliff waiting.
Fred Derry: How long since you been home?
Al Stephenson: Oh, a couple-a centuries.
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Facts about
During the wedding scene at the end, Harold Russell fluffed his lines during his vows. Rather that calling cut and ordering a re-take, William Wyler liked how natural it sounded and this was the take used.
Winner of the very first BAFTA Award (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) for Best Film after the event was established in 1948.
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