2024 the best film of the year review

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William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) tells the story of three veterans returning from World War II and adjusting to civilian life in a manner unusual for classical Hollywood cinema, with melodrama leavened by authentic detail, personal memories and a fierce desire to capture its historical moment. Sarah Kozloff's illuminating study of the film traces the contribution of Wyler (himself injured while serving in the US Air Force), Robert Sherwood's screenplay, Gregg Toland's deep-focus cinematography, Hugo Friedhofer's award-winning score, and the ensemble cast of Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright and Harold Russell. The film's poignant message spoke to American audiences reeling from the end of the conflict and the bumpy transition to peace: producer Samuel Goldwyn received hundreds of letters from ex-servicemen about how accurately his production had captured their experiences.

Despite winning nine Academy Awards, Best Years was soon engulfed in political conflict from both the right and the left. Disagreements about the film's politics foreshadowed HUAC's anti-Communist investigations and the fracturing of the Hollywood community that culminated in the collapse of the studio system.

Sarah Kozloff's discussion of the film's development, production and reception history draws on archival research to shed new light on our understanding of this much-loved movie, and to bring The Best Years of Our Lives back where it belongs: in our collections, in our libraries, and in our hearts.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08HRQCVCD
Publisher ‏ : ‎ British Film Institute; 1st edition (July 25, 2019)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 25, 2019
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 5199 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
Reviewer: Frank Donnelly
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: An Excellent Reference Book For This Movie
Review: This is a relatively compact book that is filled with all kinds of information about the making of this movie and the people involved.As much as I loved this movie, I found this book to be a very fine addition to the movie. It is almost like an "owner's manual" for the movie. A small example: I always wondered why the fictional city was named "Boone City". Well the original screen play was written by a gentleman named MacKinlay Kantor. It turns out Mr. Kantor grew up in Webster, Iowa, on the Boone River. Speaking for myself, I just love trivia like that.The author also discusses other issues not addressed directly in the movie, but only suggested by innuendo. There is a scene at night where Homer is talking to his sweetheart. He talks about not having hands, at night. As the author points out, he feels "unmanned". This is a very delicate matter that can only be suggested in a roundabout way at this time in America.There is also a good deal of discussion about the pervading political climate at the time of this movie's release that I personally find fascinatin. America, in many ways was a far different place than it is today.There is also a lot of biographical material on the individuals involved. There is a lot of discussion of how the original screenplay was changed. This small book may not be for everyone. But I am quite sure there is a place for this fine work in the reference library for many film buffs. Thank You...

Reviewer: Saxby Coburg
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I NOT ONLY RECOMMEND THE FILM, NOW I ALSO RECOMMEND DR. KOZLOFF'S EXCELLENT BOOK
Review: I have always loved the film, THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES, and because it is somehow overlooked today even though it won the Best Picture Oscar in 1946, I recommend it to all my friends. Though almost three hours long, the film is fascinating and entertaining with great performances from Myrna Loy, Frederic March, Dana Andrews and especially Teresa Wright, superb direction from William Wyler and unmatched deep-focus camera by Gregg Toland. Dr. Kozloff's elucidation was incredible in detail and insight. Now I not only recommend the film, I also recommend Dr. Kozloff's excellent book.

Reviewer: Transterrra
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Background Notes for One of My Favorite Films
Review: This BFI Film Classics book gives a detailed look at the film from many perspectives, especially cultural and historical. Lots of good trivia about the screenplay, the director, the actors, and all the work that went into making a classic film. As a Baby Boomer, I thought I knew a good deal about this film; however, this book had so much information that made me appreciate the film even more. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewer: rah
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Not exactly what I expected, thought it was the book.
Review: Was not the book, only a BTW info rag. Not worth $10.00

Reviewer: Anne Varney
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Worthwhile for fans
Review: Very interesting. Worthwhile for fans of this movie.

Reviewer: Another Old Bear
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: If you want to know more...
Review: Very good essay on multiple aspects of this epic film.

Reviewer: BillB
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Five Stars
Review: Great informative book about the making of a great classic movie!

Reviewer: David Rickert
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Was ABOUT the movie, not novel of story.
Review: Was represented as a novel but was not.

Reviewer: Michael Mackintosh
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This is just the most wonderful little book. Having just 'discovered' the film recently, I was anxious for 'more'. This splendid little book, carefully constructed, has it all. Facts, detail, everything a lover of the film desires - it is all here, very precisely presented. It is just perfect.

Reviewer: Morgan T. Rhys
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Everything you need to know about this masterpiece. The BFI have few excellent books like this, but this one has been written great. If this is your favourite film or one of them, this is a must have!