Two American War Films
by Michael MoriartyThe Best Years of Our Lives was on TCM today.
Even when the Good Guys and Bad Guys all seemed incontestably defined, World War II still created a certain amount of what we now call “post-traumatic stress” … and, of course, the world, even then, could not or would not … or simply refused to understand.
Then there was the film’s 1940’s, unsavory version of a war protestor who so provoked the veterans that the character Dana Andrews portrayed punched the Axis sympathizer into and virtually through a display case and, of course, our hero lost his job.
Then the double amputee and his fear of marriage … well, I cried through the whole film, particularly the wedding ceremony we thought would never happen.
During it, of course, hope springs eternal and Dana Andrews renews his commitment to new beginnings, goes over and kisses Theresa Wright … right there!
In front of everybody!!
The End.
While writing this, my own beloved, an extraordinarily brilliant Viennese émigré, asks me from her writing desk, “Is ‘pursuit of happiness’ part of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution?”
“The Declaration,” I reply.
It’s Memorial Day Weekend … and all of life, at least from gazing at the television, looks like something that can only happen between or very precariously during wars.
However, one thing is for sure, life, at least for Americans, is about the pursuit of happiness. Before, during and after wars.
Tragically for some of the so-called best and brightest of us, however, happiness appears to be a “fundamental transformation of the United States” from a free market democracy to a Marxist, cradle to grave insurance policy that just necessitates a certain amount of tyranny.
These “bright idea” guys like Hitler, Stalin and Mao … and their Pygmalions, those King, Queen and Fuhrer-makers … and possibly, in the case of President Barack Obama, Empire builders.
New World Order Dynasties!
Some of us here in America believe quite firmly that a Socialist Welfare State will be the opposite of happiness.
That is, it will be hell.
We have plenty of evidence from the history of Communism to support that.
And what is socialism but watered-down Communism?
Judging from the European Union’s socialist architecture and the yearly drop in its native population … well … we must remember that the “pursuit of happiness” was never a defining objective for Europeans.
From the exploding Islamic population in Europe, happiness might well become a decidedly rare, European commodity.
Happiness requires courage … and courage these days increasingly comes only with a herd mentality.
The days of American individualism or European individualism and its obligatorily individual courage appear to be numbered.
However, films like Forgotten Heroes, if given a nudge and a push, will help bring America back.
The film is ostensibly about Vietnam … but I take it on its own terms.
Forgotten Heroes is about America’s ultimately Biblical victory over each and every evil on earth, from universal fear and prejudice to the ultimate monstrosity of world communism and any form of terrorism you’d like to try on her.
The center of gravity in the film is William Smith’s mesmerizing performance as the defecting Soviet General.
With a face off of Mt. Rushmore, we listen to this Old Testament prophet the way we should have listened to Abraham Lincoln while he lived.
His examination of not only the plight he is in, but the one which the world is in is delivered in his wonderfully worn and beaten voice.
There are other Grade A performances: those of The Cowboy and The Venice Beach God of Surfing come to my mind.
Such classic American categories are throughout this clandestine adventure into the NVA and Viet Cong hideouts of Cambodia..
Yes, Jack Marino’s version of a Platoon is the entire American Rainbow Family.
It is a guerilla tribute to the greatness of American guerillas.
You won’t forget it, I assure you … and, after the most disturbing moment begins to sift through your consciousness, you will begin to see the film as a measure of not only American courage but her divine irresistibility.
You won’t regret having taken the time.
Forgotten Heroes is actually unforgettable.
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25 Comments
From the exploding Islamic population in Europe, happiness might well become a decidedly rare, European commodity.
Simple formula:
Europe: Older population, welfare, birthrate well below the population replacement rate
Islam: Younger population, expansionist ideology, birthrate well above the population replacement rate
Europe will be radically different in one more generation (in many places, it already is). Perhaps there is a less-publicized reason why liberals champion abortion rights?
No doubt about it — The Best Years of our Lives is a truly great film that they don't make any more. Watching it just makes me appreciate what my parent's generation achieved at such great sacrifice and personal cost. I defy anyone to not tear up when watching Dana Andrews's farther reads his son's citation for the Distinguish Service Medal and then witness Andrews' walking through the graveyard of abandoned B-17s.
The film is directed with the usual understaement that concentrates on the performance and story by the great William Wyler, himseld a WW2 veteran. And what great performances! For me, the truly impressive turn came from the under-appreciated Dana Andrews. He is matched by the vibrant Teresa Wright. But everyone – Myrna Loy, Frederic March, Harold Russell — contribute to this heart-felt movie. Kudos to Samuel Goldwyn Sr. for his passion and vision in producing this film.
I am not familiar with Forgotten Heroes, but thanks to Mr. Moriarty, I will be on the look out and acquaint myself with this film.
Thans again, Mr. Moriarty, for another excellent article.
One thing that heartens me is knowing that the making of history is not linear. Because things are the way they are, we naturally assume a logical progression to a future based on today.
Before Pearl Harbor Americans were almost evenly divided over entry into WW2. November 1941 saw people "assuming" whatever was going to happen in Europe or Asia would happen without America's involvement.
I view the problem in Greece as the beginnings of the problems of European socialism.
I'll have to look up Forgotten Heroes. We are full of Forgotten Heroes – forgotten, that is, by everyone but their fellow comrades.
Mr. M. Thank you for the heads up.
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I like the fact that the Dana Andrews character and his family come from the wrong side of the tracks (they virtually live next to the tracks), but are not lowlifes or bums, although his Dad seems to be a drinker. Hats off to the wonderful Gladys George who plays Andrews' step-mother in the film. She always gives a great performance. Same for the ever sweet Cathy O'Donnell as Homer's loving girlfriend.
And FWIW – the lesser known, TIL THE END OF TIME, covers some of the same territory as TBYOOLives. Both are from 1946 and both explore the lives of three returning soldiers. Guy Madison, Robert Mitchum and Bill Williams star and it is on TCM this June 16th.
"The Best Years of Our Lives" is simply extraordinary. I won’t spoil it for those who have yet to see it, other than to say it deals with several very adult themes (the hitherto misunderstood malady of PTSD among them) unlike any and I mean any movie before this one. Boneyard scene towards the excellent finale, any scene with Dana Andrews’ Pop and his girlfriend Hortense… extraordinary frankness for the era. For any era.
And then there is Homer. Do not google it on IMDB before watching. But I know you will seek out more on Homer after viewing his performance.
Extraordinary is the only adjective that fits.
BTW, a movie titled Courage Under Fire also makes my list of great war movies. It's pre-release buzz among the retired vets I call friends was not favorable. We expected to see a slanted glorified Hollywood depiction of the women-in-combat theme. Meg Ryan's star billing as the fictional "first woman nominated for the MOH" was not a good advertising strategy to attract the natural audience for war movies. Turns out CUF was not really about Meg Ryan's character nor her fictional heroics — which were very well done anyway. That was merely a well executed side bar to the central story about the fog of war. Michael Moriarty as Army BG Hershberg was excellent and very credible in his handling of a good Soldier's moment of moral crisis. The actor who stole the show for me though was Matt Damon. My estimate of him has declined ever since but his split personality performance was mesmerizing. Lou Diamond Philips was never better. Denzel was Denzel. Entirely convincing as the Army LTC about to lose it all.
Mr. Moriarty, thanks for sharing your love of Jack's Forgotten Heroes. It's not a perfect movie, by Jack's own admission, but it's 100% in its love and respect for its namesake — well worth checking out. Thanks to our brave men and women fighting for our freedom; thanks to Jack, the cast and crew of Forgotten Heroes; and added thanks to you, Michael, for getting out the word!!!
Hortense appears to be DA's step-mother, not his father's girlfriend.
I think that The Best Years of Our Lives is the best movie made, ever. I'm not into movies as much as some in my family, but as a girl I grew up watching old movies on TV with my dad or while babysitting. I clearly remember sitting with my aunt and a bowl of popcorn watching this movie as a teen and thinking it was the greatest thing I'd ever seen. The heroes were so vibrantly portrayed and the understated style of Myrna Loy in this movie was stunning as you watched her deal with her returning banker husband after years of taking care of things.
It was one of those movies that you searched for on VHS and DVD as soon as those technologies hit. It was one of the first DVDs I actively searched out way way back when.
Forget Citizen Kane, forget Gone With The Wind or any other movie of that era. This is the one that draws you in and makes you happy you watched it.
I agree–that film was riveting. And the MOH candidate being female turns out to be completely irrelevant in the end. Lou Diamond Philips was the one who stood out for me. One of my favorite scenes was Ryan's characer to Philips', after she's been shot in the abdomen: "I gave birth to a 9-pound baby, a$$hole, I can handle it."
I have probably seen TBYOOL more often than any other movie and I never tire of it.
What about the jackass at the soda fountain? Even after Pearl Harbor and knowledge of the concentration camps, there were Americans who thought the Germans and "Japs" had nothing against us and that we fought "the wrong war."
Sounds like today, Radical Islamists don't have anything against us and we shouldn't be supporting Israel. Jews need to go back "home," blah, blah, blah.
If only I could wallop those people like Andrews did.
I love Moriarty's understated eloquence in his writing.
I agree- there's not much one can add to his tribute to the great heroes who demonstrated the best of America, nor his idictment of our current "leaders" who have completely lost their way.
I remeber how much I loved "The Best Years of Our Lives" when I first saw it. I watched it as a teenager with my dad, who was barely older than I was when he fought in WWII, just a kid marching into some of the worst battles on the European front, including the Bridge at Remagen and the Battle of the Bulge. He never talked about his experiences or explained the bullet holes that scarred his body (I had to get that from my mother), but while watching this film I mustered up the courage to ask him, "Dad, you were just a kid- how did you get through it?" He held up the ever present glass of whiskey in his hand and said "Alot of this". I think of him whenever I see this beautiful film, knowing that he carried a nightmare with him his entire life yet would gladly have done it again for the country and family he loved. They were indeed a 'great generation'.
If there's a way we can pass your respect for your dad on to succeeding generations, I don't think — after we've kicked the Progressives out of the White House and Congress — that America will EVER again face the kind of precipice we are dangling on now.
God Bless,
Michael
Michael, we are Americans. We can face anything and overcome it. Together.
AGREED!!!!
GB,
M
Hi march30319, You can go to my website at http://www.forgottenheroesthemovie.com and read the reviews and all about my film and the determination to get this film out to you
I just found out about my film being mentioned on BIG HOLLYWOOD today June 6. I just got back from a three week trip to Boston visiting my family and two new twin grand-daughters.
I am totally blown away by the article by Michael Moriarty, I am at a loss for words that equal what you have said about me and my film. All I can say is a very sincere THANK YOU for doing this for me. Michael I have always admired your articles and you sir are a wordsmith on the level of Mozart! I am completely honored and I will post this on my website for others that visit there.
To put FORGOTTEN HEROES in the same article as THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES is extremely humbling.
This was an incredible surprise Mr. Moriarty. I want to thank you and everyone at BIG HOLLYWOOD for posting this wonderful article.
GB
Jack Marino
Producer/Director
FORGOTTEN HEROES
For all those who asked about FORGOTTEN HEROES you can go to my website at
http://www.forgottenheroesthemovie.com
The Producers are donating 25% of all DVD gross sales to the AMERICAN VETERANS DISABLED FOR LIFE MEMORIAL FUND this is an organization that Mr. Gary Sinise is involved with and we are all working to honor these disabled Vets from all of our wars.
I forgot to add that you can only buy the DVD off my website and off Amazon, under the name Forgotten Heroes the movie. It isn't on nexflix or with any distribution company. This is a self-distributing through the internet directly to the people that love and support our troops.
Hi Bill, you can go to my website at http://www.forgottenheroesthemovie.com and read the reviews and all about my film. Thank you for your interest
Thanks and take care.
From: notifications@intensedebatemail.com
To: mopar@q.com
Subject: MGMoriarty replied to your comment on Two American War Films
Fantastic follow up Jack, I was just getting ready to complain that I can't find this on Netflix. I'll be ordering today, and thank you for the determination that it must have taken to get this movie made.
As someone who as purchased more than one copy of the movie (one for me and gifts for others) "Forgotten Heroes", I can say that I enjoyed this movie very much. William Smith is very memorable in this movie.
I haven't seen the movie "The Best Years of Our Lives", but will have to put it on my to view list.
Thank you Mr. Moriarty for the great article.
[...] Recently, Michael Moriarity raved about Forgotten Heroes for the excellent website, Big Hollywood: [...]
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