The only movie that truly captures the American consciousness of the era.

Rating: Null/10 (10 October 2005)

I saw this movie for the first and only time in 2004. I couldn't help but compare the tribulations of the characters (not just the returning veterans) with the Iraq war of today. As the rationale for, or against, the war rages, there was one scene I found captivating and compelling. It was the part where the war dissenter in the drug store was voicing his opposition to American involvement in WWII to Dana Andrew's character. My generation, and those succeeding, were taught that U.S. participation in WWII was a just and necessary undertaking. I was surprised to see that such a controversial scene reflecting the national trauma of losing hundreds of thousands of American lives would be represented in the way that it was so soon after the war. No doubt there were thousands of gold star mothers from that era who saw the movie. I often wondered what was their reaction to that scene. I respected it's honesty. The entire movie is a rare glimpse into the American consciousness of the time.