That’s the name of William Wyler’s remarkable 1946 film about World War II veterans readjusting to a civilian life made trivial by their terrible experiences. With an all-star cast, the film sensitively examines the scars – physical and mental – carried by the men who fought the nation’s battles. Of particular note is Harold Russell’s performance as double amputee Homer Parish, who can’t fathom how any woman can see past his disfigurement and still love him.
Here are two clips that capture the film’s honesty and poignancy. The first involves Fred Derry (played by Dana Andrews), formerly a decorated Eighth Air Force group bombardier who finds himself passing time in his old drug store job while his wartime marriage dissolves. He finally confronts himself in a graveyard of the very aircraft he flew in battle.
Here, Homer summons the courage to show his girlfriend the full extent of his maiming and disability.
The film is Wyler’s tribute to veterans and a special homage to the men he filmed in combat during the war. While Wyler is best remembered for films like ‘Mrs. Miniver’ and ‘Ben Hur’, he did some of his best work as a combat filmmaker during the war. Those who’ve seen the original 1943 film ‘Memphis Belle’ know what risks the Jewish Wyler took flying actual missions in the war-torn skies over Germany.
On this Memorial Day 2009, as we honor our wounded and fallen heroes, we can only hope that there are a few in Hollywood who, like Wyler, honor their country through their art.
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