THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES
It can be hard to come home — but this masterpiece makes the journey worthwhile.
Should You Watch It?
Four stars means this is a true masterpiece. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES is compassionate, profound, and uplifting as it follows three World War II servicemen trying to return to ordinary life. Its performances are remarkable, and its portrait of veterans facing disability, nightmares, strained marriages, job trouble, and changed families remains deeply moving.
The film also offers strong Christian elements in a wedding scene, along with patriotic and pro-free-enterprise themes. But it includes considerable smoking, alcohol abuse and drunkenness, plus a brief fight, upper male nudity, an affair-related kiss, and divorce.
If you are choosing for teenagers or adults, this is worth your time and discussion. For younger children, parents should use their own discernment.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESThree soldiers return to Boone City after World War II. Fred struggles to find a good job while carrying the memories of combat. Homer, who lost his hands, must learn to live with prosthetics and the attention they bring. Al returns to his family and his position at a local bank, only to discover that home has changed while he was away.
As the three men face work, marriage, family, disability, and readjustment, each must decide what returning home will mean.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means the film fully earns its reputation as a masterpiece. William Wyler’s direction is superlative, and the movie remarkably captures the difficulties confronting returning American veterans after the war.
The performances are several kinds of amazing. One portrayal of disability is startling, profoundly touching, and realistic. The film also contains a very moving scene in a graveyard of B-17s, described as a classic use of deep-focus cinematography.
Its compassion, patriotism, and emotional power explain why it won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor.
The Worldview
The film strongly values service, sacrifice, responsibility, family, compassion, and the difficult work of rebuilding life after war. It is very patriotic and includes light support for free enterprise, especially through Al’s work at the bank and his concern for veterans.
It also gives significant attention to the struggles of returning servicemen, including combat nightmares, disability, unemployment, marital strain, and the challenge of being treated normally. These concerns are handled with unusual compassion rather than easy answers.
The film’s moral vision includes a Christian wedding at its uplifting ending. At the same time, it portrays alcohol abuse, drunkenness, smoking, divorce, and an unmarried girl being kissed by a married man. Those elements complicate an otherwise deeply humane and morally serious story.
The film’s longing is for home, restoration, and relationships made right. Scripture likewise honors marriage and faithfulness: “Let marriage be held in honor among all” (Hebrews 13:4).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong moral worldview that draws attention to a Christian wedding at the uplifting ending, plus very strong Pro-American, patriotic content and light pro-capitalist content; no foul language; brief fight scene with one good slug; unmarried girl kissed by a married man; upper male nudity; alcohol use and drunkenness; considerable smoking, cigars and cigarettes; and, a divorce.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The three veterans each struggle to return to ordinary life. How can a family show patience and compassion toward someone carrying unseen wounds?
Galatians 6:2 · Romans 12:15Homer wants to be treated as a normal man but feels defined by his disability. How does Scripture teach us to see dignity, weakness, and strength?
Psalm 139:13–14 · 2 Corinthians 12:9–10Al wrestles with generosity and responsibility at the bank. How should Christians balance compassion for people in need with wise stewardship?
Proverbs 19:17 · Luke 14:28The film includes a Christian wedding. What does Scripture say makes marriage honorable and faithful?
Hebrews 13:4 · Ephesians 5:25–33The Final Word
THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES is a compassionate, profound, uplifting masterpiece about veterans finding their way home. Its smoking and alcohol abuse call for discernment, but teenagers and adults can find much to admire and discuss. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP — TEENAGERS AND ADULTS.
