This is my favorite movie of all time. If you love "It's a Wonderful Life", you'll really love this movie. Give yourself some time to watch it, for it's very long. But it's so worth the time. If you love the WWII era (like I do) then this is the film for you.
Teresa Wright (not famous enough) plays a beautiful role as Peggy Stephenson who falls in love with the dashing Dana Andrews who plays Fred Derry. Harold Russell plays the double amputee, Homer Parish, and is actually a double amputee who lost his lower arms during an accident on a Naval base in the States. He was so good at using his hooks, that the Navy used him in their training movies to teach other amputees how to use their hooks. Someone in Hollywood saw the movie and cast him for the part of Homer.
Incidentally, this film won eight Oscars (including an honorary one) for: Best Picture, Best Actor (Fredrich March), Best Supporting Actor (Harold Russell), Best Director (William Wyler), Best Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Music Score (you've GOT to listen to the music!), and honorary Oscar for Harold Russell (the only actor ever to receive two Oscars at the same time) for "bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance in THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES".
The reunion scenes in the beginning are the most touching movie scenes of all time, matching the final scene in "It's a Wonderful Life" for tear-jerker moments. This is a must see movie.
(Synopsis)
Coming home from the War after four years away are, clockwise from top: Fred Derry, Al Stephenson, and Homer Parish. This is the first time they've met, on their hop home via the ATC. But these men will bond for life.
A scary reunion for Homer. Will Wilma still love him with hooks for hands?
And a tender one. "It feels as if I were going to hit a beach" ~ Al Stephenson to Fred Derry in the cab.
Gotta get to know the kids again
A night on the town at Butch's Place, getting drunk (Al and Fred) and readjusted. Fred's been all over town trying to find his wife who works at some nightclub. Finally he runs into Homer (his Uncle Butch owns the place, though "the family doesn't think he's respectable 'cause he sells liquor") and then Al comes in. Homer goes home, but Al and Fred stay 'til closing. Mrs. Stephenson and Peggy take Fred home with them (he is passed out in the back seat with Al..."They make a lovely couple, don't they?" says Mrs. Stephenson. Peggy replies with a chuckle, "Yeah. I think they'll be very happy together").
There's no one on earth like Hoagy Carmichael. He is one of America's greatest songwriters. He wrote "Laybones", "Stardust", "Georgia", "Up a Lazy River" and many, many more beloved classics. He is another like Teresa Wright who isn't famous enough today considering we love so many of his songs.
During the night, Peggy helps Derry through a bad dream. Very touching moment. Peggy's expression on her face after helping him get back to sleep hints at possible feelings for this man she just met.
"You're Peggy, aren't you?" ... "For the last time yes." Peggy replies with a friendly laugh.
The morning after the nightmare when a sober Fred finally meets Peggy, for real this time!
Myrna Loy at her finest playing a very lovely, understanding wife who takes good care of her husband. What a lucky guy!
Homer struggles with his insecurities as Wilma tries to talk to him about marriage
Fred's marriage to the Floozy isn't working out so well. By the way, if this story line seems a little familiar, Keanua Reeves played in "A Walk in the Clouds" which borrowed it's story from this one. Just not the same, though. No one can compare to Dana Andrews (except Colin Firth).
"I'm gonna break that marriage up!" Peggy can't stand to see Fred tied down to woman who doesn't love him. But her parents give her some much needed advice (another great lesson on parenting) and confess to their daughter that they too couldn't count the times they had to "fall in love all over again". Peggy is disuaded from following her heart. She's crushed, but this is Hollywood! It has a good ending.
Good things come to those who wait...
"You know what it'll be, don't you Peggy? It may take us years to get anywhere. We'll have no money, no decent place to live. We'll have to work, get kicked around..." aaaaaannd they kiss. This is a very touching love scene and a great way to end a movie. Derry just got dumped by a floozy who couldn't be tied down to a man who only made $32.50 a week. But Peggy loves him and sees his potential.
Now go rent the movie!