AFI 100 Years, 100 Movies: No. 18


Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films.

Milly Stephenson: "We never had any trouble." How many times have I told you I hated you and believed it in my heart? How many times have you said you were sick and tired of me; that we were all washed up? How many times have we had to fall in love all over again?

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Original List Position: 37
Starring: Myrna Loy, Fredric March, and Dana Andrews
Director: William Wyler
About: This is a tough watch at times. It's a long film made in the immediate aftermath of World War II that wants to look at the war's impact and the way the world has changed. It does that in an incredible and incredibly powerful way. It's a tough watch at times, but also a beautifully told story that resonated with me long after I first watched it. It sits as No. 37 on both lists, a testament to the impact it's had for decades. I like it a bit more than that, and more importantly I respect what the film is accomplishing.

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