Ben-Hur (1959)

Ben-Hur (William Wyler, 1959)

Still holding the record for the most wins at the Academy Awards with 11, tied with Titanic and The Lord of the Rings : The Return of the King, Ben-Hur directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston as its title role, defines the genre of biblical epic film. 

The Best Years of Our Lives

The Best Years of Our Lives (William Wyler, 1946)

Telling the story of three American War heroes of the second World War coming home; a sergeant/banker, a captain/soda bar clerk, and a sailor who lost his two hands while serving. Presented like that this nearly 3 hour long film seems very American, and yes it is. This is a glorification of soldiers who got back from the front trying to save America's values and integrity.

But more deeper it's the reintegration of these soldiers in the way the American life has gone by them. As great as they could be in the war these men are not rehabilited to go back and live their lives. Even if the war is probably the worst thing for humanity it is presented here like the greatest thing that happened to these men gloryfying their memories of "camaradery" and simple better times...

On some level the tone is right but most of the times the subject is treated to easily and many corners are rounds. Well, It's not a surprise that it won many Oscars. This is the kind of films that can make you feel good even if the "propos" is wrong or too cheesy for what it is.

I would recommend ten times A Time to Love and A Time to Die by Douglas Sirk before recommending a film like William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives to anyone.