in 2004 and i write the following statement on an imdb message board when a user wonder if the best year of our life be a forgotten movie represent to me watch this movie be like open up a time capsule . i think in many way the best year of our life be probably one of the more fascinating character study and it hold up extremely well a a look at life in the u in the mid 1940s after wwii . i believe come home and the deer hunter and both release in 1978 and be the most recent film that be close in capture the numerous issue of military men return from war that be bring up in the best year of our life . what really impress me be watch the movie in it entirety when i be in college around 1980 81 and many if not all of the college student applaud at the end of the movie . this movie still pack a wallop and i be very happy to read in other post other user feel of a movie that will definitely stand the test of time . i be very happy to see the movie rank near the top 100 movie on imdb and afi . also and though it be in competition with what eventually become a christmas classic and it a wonderful life and arguably and the best year of our life oscar win and include best picture and be very well deserve . i have just see the film again in 2005 and after almost 60 year and the best year of our life be still a powerful and beautifully act and well craft motion picture .