Watched half of Best Years Of Our Lives last night and the remainder this morning. Made in 1946 by William Wyler, it's about three soldiers returning to the middle of America after having seen and experienced terrible things in the war. It was photographed by Gregg "Deep Focus" Toland, who also filmed "Citizen Kane". Once you know that you watch every shot for the elements of unease in the background. Here Harold Russell, who really did lose both his hands in an explosion during the war, plays the piano with Hoagy Carmichael as Fredric March looks on, knowing that Dana Andrews is in the phone booth at the back ending his relationship with his daughter.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Every picture tells a story
Watched half of Best Years Of Our Lives last night and the remainder this morning. Made in 1946 by William Wyler, it's about three soldiers returning to the middle of America after having seen and experienced terrible things in the war. It was photographed by Gregg "Deep Focus" Toland, who also filmed "Citizen Kane". Once you know that you watch every shot for the elements of unease in the background. Here Harold Russell, who really did lose both his hands in an explosion during the war, plays the piano with Hoagy Carmichael as Fredric March looks on, knowing that Dana Andrews is in the phone booth at the back ending his relationship with his daughter.
Did you enjoy it though? It's one of my favourites and (whisper it) I actually prefer it to Citizen Kane. Gregg Toland's camera work seems to say something in Best Years of Our Lives, to add to the story rather than being the whole point which is almost the case in Citizen Kane. Cheers, Mike.
ReplyDeleteI did enjoy it enormously. It is possibly the smokingest and drinkingest film I have seen in my life.
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