‘Best Years...’ is a classic post-WW2 drama that focuses on the social issues surrounding American soldiers returning home after being off to war for multiple years. When one thinks of that era, most think about the baby-boomer generation, the affluent futures to come, and the rise of the new American superpower that came out almost intact as Europe and Asia were busy rebuilding for many years to come. However, it wasn’t all roses and sunshine for these soldiers. They had to become re-acquainted with the civilized world and get their lives back in order, after spending years off-seas fighting Nazis in Europe and Japs in the Pacific.

This film concerns three such soldiers, including an Army Sergeant Al (Fredric March), Air Force Officer Fred (Dana Andrews), and a warship sailor Homer (Harold Russell), who return home excited but also afraid of what they will find. The three have interesting circumstances, which I won’t detail to avoid spoilers. Al had been away from his wife and kids. Fred had his wife, and Homer had a fiancée and family. They return to their families with battle scars, both mental and physical, but with hopes of overcoming with a helping hand from their families, friends, and the public. They soon realize what was a joyous dream come true soon becomes a nightmare for each for different reasons. The stories are compelling and an insightful window into the era. The acting is spectacular and genuine by the entire cast. Director William Wyler is meticulous in his attention to detail, depicting each scene and issue sincerely. Cinematography is done right to reflect the realism. Some issues covered are difficult to tackle, but it’s masterfully done. Even after 78 years, ‘Best Years...’ stands the test of time.

Would I recommend this? A resounding yes. It’s a must-watch. The film is under 3 hours long, but you never feel it. I agree with IMDB listing it as one of the top 250 movies of all time. I would put it somewhere inside the top 100. It won 7 Oscars including Best Picture in 1947, and I rarely say this, but it’s well-deserved (although I prefer Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life”).