an american classic

Rating: Null/10 (17 April 2001)

Two scenes stand out from this timeless classic: (1) Harold Russell takes off his shirt in front of his girl friend, showing her his helplessness and what she would have to face if they married. Watching the film, I wanted to help Russell, which is the last thing the film character wanted. (2) The scene in the bar with Hoagy Carmichael, Harold Russell and Fredric March around the piano and Dana Andrews calling Teresa in the background, a tribute to Gregg Toland's deep-focus photography. The movie's message might be a little heavy for someone born after the war, like myself, but resonated strongly, I'm sure, with the rest. If William Wyler called this his best movie, who am I to say otherwise?