It’s the hope that sustains the spirit of every GI: the dream of the day when he will finally return home. For three WWII veterans, the day has arrived, but the adjustment to civilian life presents challenges they didn’t expect. The intertwined homecoming stories of ex-sergeant Al Stephenson (Fredric March), former bombardier Fred Derry (Dana Andrews), and sailor Homer Parrish (Harold Russell) were profoundly relevant in 1946, and the film still offers a surprisingly intricate and ambivalent exploration of American daily life. Winner of seven Academy awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, “this tender and occasionally tough look at the plight of returning war veterans is one of Wyler’s best films. Robert Sherwood’s script is thorough without falling into undue sentimentality or bombast, the performances throughout are splendid (including that of Russell, an amateur actor who was himself an amputee), and Gregg Toland’s masterly camerawork serves as a textbook on the proper use of deep focus” —Time Out Film. Staff Pick by projectionist Les Vince.

Restored by The Academy Film Archive, The Library of Congress and The Film Foundation. Restoration funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation.