8.4 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Three returning servicemen fight to adjust to life after World War II.
Starring: Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Virginia MayoRomance | 100% |
Drama | 96% |
War | 40% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.37:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.37:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 5.0 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Originally released by Warner Bros. in 2013 as a decent but now long out-of-print Blu-ray edition, Warner Archive has issued a reprint of William Wyler's The Best Years of our Lives. Despite new cover art that repurposes the original one-sheet poster, it's literally the same disc in new packaging but now available at a comparatively bargain price.
Although not overtly implied by its packaging, this more recent disc features the exact same 1080p transfer as featured on Warner Bros.' 2013 Blu-ray edition. It's a solid presentation and still watchable despite somewhat inconsistent levels of fine detail and density; Michael outlines the pros and cons in his review quite thoroughly but, since our expectations have increased dramatically in the last decade, I've docked it a full point compared to the original score. Again, that's just personal opinion: this is an identical presentation and in no way inferior to WB's previous disc.
Similarly, the DTS-HD 1.0 Master Audio mix is identical to the previous Blu-ray and, to my ears, sounds very good under the circumstances. Subtitle options likewise remain the same as on the older WB Blu-ray.
This one-disc release ships in a keepcase with artwork that reproduces the original one-sheet poster -- it's not exactly the most accurate mood-setter , but I'll take anything over the earlier colorized cover. This doesn't extend to the menu interface, which remains the same as WB's 2013 Blu-ray. The same holds true for the extras, which include only three short DVD-era supplements and nothing new.
William Wyler's supremely well-made post-war drama The Best Years of our Lives, produced by Samuel Goldwyn, still holds up almost eight decades after its 1946 theatrical release. Truly deserving of its considerable box-office success and multiple Oscar wins (including Best Picture), this is a true "total package" production that should have a definitive home video release. Warner Archive's Blu-ray, though much appreciated since WB's 2013 Blu-ray is now long out-of-print, unfortunately makes no advancements on that very good but not great earlier disc: a new restoration handled by WAC would've been something to see, even one without any new bonus features. This is still a disc very much worth purchasing, though, if only for the main feature's high profile and such an affordable price point.
1942
1927
Love & Honor
2013
Special Edition
1978
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2009
1953
1943
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1932
1956
80th Anniversary Edition
1942
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1984
2001
1957
2008
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1931
2012