Tom Hanks Called The Best Years of Our Lives ‘the Best Film About WW2’

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Tom Hanks is a Hollywood legend, and his choice in films is as impressive as the movies he’s starred in. The 69-year-old actor has led many of the most beloved films ever made, from animated family favorites like Toy Story to timeless classics such as Forrest Gump and Cast Away. He’s received numerous awards throughout his successful career, including two Oscars, solidifying his place as one of the greats.

Tom Hanks is famous for appearing in many classic World War II movies. Interestingly, despite starring in several war dramas himself, his all-time favorite WWII film wasn’t one he acted in. He considers a well-regarded, seventy-nine-year-old film to be the best, and believes it doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves from today’s viewers.

The Best Years of Our Lives Is Tom Hanks’s Favorite World War II Film

Tom Hanks considers William Wyler’s 1946 film, The Best Years of Our Lives, to be a powerful story. Released just after World War II ended, the movie depicts three veterans returning to the United States and finding it difficult to transition back to normal life. The country itself is also struggling to rebuild and recover from the war’s impact.

In a recent interview with Letterboxd for their “Four Favorites” series (reported by Far Out Magazine), Tom Hanks revealed that The Best Years of Our Lives is his second favorite movie of all time. He praised the post-war drama, calling it the best film about World War II and the generation who fought in it. Hanks explained that the movie still feels relevant today, saying that even with some dated fashion and language, its themes about who we are as people remain powerful. He considers it an incredible film.

Tom Hanks is spot-on in his take on The Best Years of Our Lives. Unlike many newer war movies, this 1946 film was created by people who personally experienced the hardships of that time, making it the most authentic and direct portrayal of the post-World War II era ever made.

The actor points out that the film powerfully portrays the impact of World War II without showing the war itself. It captures the devastation of the conflict without directly depicting violence or battles.

You know, I’m not the only one who thinks The Best Years of Our Lives is incredible. It absolutely swept the Oscars back in 1946, winning a total of seven awards! They took home prizes for everything – Best Picture, Best Director, both lead and supporting actors, the screenplay, editing, and even the score. It really was a complete triumph.

The film also received two more Academy Awards, including a special honorary award and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. Recognizing its lasting importance, it was later added to the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry, where it will be preserved for future generations.

How The Best Years of Our Lives Perfectly Captures the WWII Era

The Best Years of Our Lives feels surprisingly modern. Released in 1948, the film was remarkably forward-thinking in how it portrayed issues like PTSD and the challenges veterans faced when returning home – topics rarely discussed openly at the time, let alone shown in a major movie. Director William Wyler didn’t shy away from these difficult subjects, and his film helped start a more honest conversation about them in society.

Beyond its important exploration of social issues surrounding the war, The Best Years of Our Lives offers a fascinating glimpse into life in the mid-1940s as the world rebuilt after a devastating conflict. The film follows three veterans from different walks of life, allowing audiences to experience the post-war era through their individual perspectives.

The movie showcases a diverse range of characters whose lives change dramatically. Some veterans return home to jobs beneath their former military rank, while others who started with little status find themselves back in positions of privilege. These stories are drawn directly from the filmmakers’ own lives, offering a personal and unique look at different experiences.

I don’t think any movie made today could quite capture what The Best Years of Our Lives does. We’ve seen plenty of recent films set around that time, and while they’re often great, they just don’t feel as deeply connected to the actual events. Sure, the way the film looks and feels might seem a little old-fashioned now, but I honestly think it’s worth watching for how thoughtfully it explores such an important time in American history. It really gets inside the experience.

Tom Hanks Has a Great Taste in Movies

Tom Hanks didn’t just mention The Best Years of Our Lives in his recent interview with Letterboxd. He also highlighted three other films he considers all-time greats. These four movies are each landmarks in cinematic history, making his selection a particularly impressive list of favorites.

At number four on Tom Hanks’s list is the 1969 movie Midnight Cowboy. The film follows Joe Buck, a Texan played by Jon Voight, who goes to New York City hoping to marry into wealth. He teams up with his roommate (Dustin Hoffman) and tries to navigate life in the big city. Hanks particularly admired the performances of the two lead actors and the film’s thoughtful look at the time period.

Tom Hanks loves the Beatles’ 1964 musical comedy, A Hard Day’s Night, ranking it as one of his favorite films. The movie shows a typical day for George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr as they get ready for a TV performance, all while trying to escape excited fans.

The movie’s soundtrack includes songs from the Beatles’ famous album, with hits like “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “She Loves You.” Tom Hanks remembers seeing the film when he was eight years old and thought all four Beatles were incredibly funny. He still considers it one of his all-time favorite movies.

As a huge movie fan, I was fascinated to hear that Tom Hanks considers 2001: A Space Odyssey the greatest film ever made. It’s amazing to think that this 1968 film really set the stage for so much of the science fiction we enjoy today. It tackled big ideas – our anxieties about technology and what might happen if we encounter life beyond Earth – and it still feels relevant. Hanks himself says he watches it several times a year, and apparently he gets so caught up in it he can’t help but talk throughout the whole thing – I totally get that feeling with a truly great movie!

Along with The Best Years of Our Lives, these films represent some of the greatest movies ever made, showcasing the incredible talent of a Hollywood legend. Though they were made decades ago, these timeless classics remain enjoyable and easy to watch today.

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2025-12-03 16:43