The Best Years of Our Lives — How Much Dissent Was There?

[jslasher1]

This is a re-recording of Hugo Friedhofer's score, using the original orchestration. The album was recorded in 1978 in London with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The catalogue number is LXCD 14. I believe that you can download the recording on iTunes.

[tonyny77]

@jslasher1 ... I have to pass along a very warm and sincere "Thank you." I had no idea this recording existed. I should mention that although I didn't find it at iTunes (which I don't use anyway), I DID find it available as a CD via Amazon. I have to say thanks very, very much for mentioning this to all of us. Keep well, friend.

[tonyny77]

@jslasher1 -- Mr. Lasher, sir. Perhaps the Internet is a good thing after all ... for making readers of these comments aware of the CD you mixed and produced. I shall have to send you a more personal, direct message as well. But now that I've seen/heard a sampling of your work, my mind is feeling quite numb from wanting to express so many intense and varied thoughts all simultaneously. I listened to, enjoyed, and wept through much of the CD. I must thank you very, very warmly, sir.

[Johnnyboy792]

Take a cue young filmakers.... this is how it's done !!!!

[kitkat6026]

saw this film years ago, must have been around 10 it had a big impact on me, they dont show it much now but i never forgot it and the scene at the begining of this clip has got me crying once again 40 years and it still has the power.

[SandraWrites]

This is one of the most beautiful film scores ever written. The music haunting and brings tears to my eyes. There are so many subtle, touching scenes...sorry, but with rare exceptions, today's films don't hold a candle to these masterpieces...all done without using four-letter words or leaving nothing to the imagination during the love scenes. Many films today use cheap, tawdry, shock value tricks--and they simply will not stand the test of time.

[tonyny77]

@SandraWrites ... Sandra, the 2nd half of your message says it all. I cannot emphasize how correct you are and how totally I agree with you. This has also been my own message. At first I thought the changes occurred simply because times are changing. No, it's much, much more than that. Instead of fine acting, good writing, and sophisticated music to help set the mood, all we have today is explosions, vulgarities, spurting blood, and graphic sex. This is supposed to impress me? Absolutely not!

[jslasher1]

@SandraWrites You can say that again. It was a great honour for me to produce the only record album to date featuring Hugo Friedhofer's original, which the composer after hearing the recording praised to the fullest.

[tonyny77]

@jslasher1 ... John, I hope you'll see this. I'm trying to better understand your comment. Are you saying there's a soundtrack recording available for the score from "The Best Years of our Lives"? Perhaps I misunderstood ... Please elaborate. If such a soundtrack recording were available, I'd surely be interested in purchasing it. Thanks in advance for your reply, and thank you for your comment, too.

[jslasher1]

@tonyny77 Please read my entry above as to the recording.

[mary71257]

One of the best movies ever made....

[Houdini774]

I am 52 years old, and the tears are still streaming down my eyes. The moment that little girl falls into Homer's arms, my hear just melted. That is filmaking. Rest in peace Harold Russell (If anyone gets a chance, rent "Inside Moves", he's in that also).

[tonyny77]

@Houdini774 ... You know, I think you're struck by the same thing that strikes me as I view that scene. Homer's little sister, yelling with excitement first calls into her home to announce Homer's arrived, then runs next door to Wilma's, and races back into Homer's arms as her breathing quivers (you can hear it) and, of course, the music is perfectly arranged to intensively the emotion. As Homer waves bye to his friends in the taxi, his family freezes as they see the hooks for the first time.

[tonyny77]

@Houdini774 ... Naturally, another moment that shocks the mind is when Homer reveals one hand is gone ... and then the second ... and the subtle reaction from Fred and the desk sergeant really is an attention-getter. Thank you, Houdini, for your intelligent and frank comments. Oh, and thanks for the tip about "Inside Moves," too. I'll be renting it for sure. Thanks again.

[jslasher1]

@Houdini774 Hugo Friedhofer's Oscar-winning score did much to set the mood of this scene, which is very touching for me, too.

[tonyny77]

@jslasher1 ... EXCELLENT! Sorry to bother you with a reply for just saying "excellent," but as you know, YouTube is littered with troubled users. But I happen to agree with your view, too. Thanks for making a contribution.

[jws54]

@Houdini774

amen brother

[seid54]

My all time favorite movie...what a movie, what a cast.....

[newhotman1001]

The greatest movie ever made with an all star cast. Love Dana Andrews and Teresa Wright who are finally united at the end of the film. You have to watch the entire movie to get the real meaning of it.

[tonyny77]

@newhotman1001 ... And who could disagree with you? I've seen this movie from start to finish nearly 20 times, and while choosing these segments for this brief video I posted, I wound up seeing the opening scenes more than ANOTHER 20 times. Yet, every time I view these scenes, it tears me up as if seeing it for the first time.

I thank you warmly for expressing an opinion about this great movie that I so-much agree with ... especially since this is probably my own all-time favorite too. Thanks!