
The Best Years of Our Lives
William Wyler / US, 1946 / 172 min.
‘How do soldiers return from the war?’, William Wyler, one of the big Hollywood directors, asked himself in his story of three American World War II veterans. One of them lacks hands and all three struggle with alcoholism and broken marriages.

Heroes, bad guys, action, drama, excitement and violence: the average war film uses templates intend to tell unequivocal ‘good vs. evil’ stories. William Wyler upended this and, a year after the end of World War II he released the subdued The Best Years of Our Lives, in which three veterans struggle to reintegrate into civilian society.
Details
Director
William Wyler
Production year
1946
Country
US
Original title
The Best Years of Our Lives
Length
172 min.
Language
English
Subtitles
NLD
Format
35mm
Part of
Eye Classics
Eye’s collection includes a wealth of classics. We screen them regularly, in various programmes. Eye now brings film history even closer with its new series Eye Classics: three classics a week, chosen by Eye's programmers. On the big screen, screened in 35mm whenever possible.



Planning on having a drink or a bite to eat? Book online for Eye Bar Restaurant.
Share your love for film and become a member of the Eye Society.
Share your love for film and become a member of the Eye Society.