William Wyler’s The Best Years of our Lives (1946) focuses on three US servicemen re-adjusting to “normal” life after World War II. A critical and commercial success, the film won seven Academy Awards, including Harold Russell’s win for Best Supporting Actor. Russell was not a professional actor and was considered a long shot, so the Board of Governors had given him an honorary award “for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance”. He is the only actor to have received two Academy Awards for the same performance.
The Best Years of our Lives is showing with Roman Holiday (35mm) as part of our Two-for-Thursdays double feature series.
