Bright Victory (1951)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Mark Robson

Writers:

Robert Buckner (writer)
Baynard Kendrick (novel)

Release Date:

16 July 1951 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

In North Africa during World War II, Sergeant Larry Nevins is blinded by a German sniper's bullet. Rehabilitation...

Plot Keywords:

Sergeant | Rehabilitation | Corporal | WWII Veteran | Blind

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Arthur Kennedy	...	Larry Nevins
Peggy Dow	...	Judy Greene
Julie Adams	...	Chris Paterson (as Julia Adams)
James Edwards	...	Joe Morgan
Will Geer	...	Mr. Nevins
Nana Bryant	...	Mrs. Claire Nevins
Jim Backus	...	Bill Grayson
Minor Watson	...	Mr. Paterson
Joan Banks	...	Janet Grayson
Richard Egan	...	Sgt. John Masterson
John Hudson	...	Cpl. John Flagg
Marjorie Crossland	...	Mrs. Paterson
Donald Miele	...	'Moose' Garvey
Murray Hamilton	...	Pete Hamilton
Larry Keating	...	Jess Coe

Also Known As:

Lights Out (UK)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

West Germany:12 (f) | Finland:S | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Florida, USA

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Trivia:

The airplane disaster that killed romantic lead actor Leslie Howard is mentioned in this film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Sgt. Nevins is having a newspaper read to him, and the death of Leslie Howard is one of the stories. The date on the paper is given as September 3, 1943. Leslie Howard actually died on June 1, 1943.

An all-time classic. It outranks "The Best Years of Our Lives."

"Bright Victory" is as fresh and meaningful as when it was released in 1951. It has something for everyone: action, romance, tragedy, and a powerful plot. There's not a bad performance anywhere,including fine supporting actors (who were not yet stars) including Will Geer, James Edwards, Murray Hamilton, Richard Egan, Peggy Dow, Julia Adams, and even a bit part by Rock Hudson. And don't overlook the fine film score by Frank Skinner. I believe this movie outranks the great "The Best Years of Our Lives." The versatile Arthur Kennedy received his well-deserved Academy Award nomination for portraying (while wearing opaque contact lenses) Sgt. Larry Nevins, a blind veteran. "Bright Victory" has never been released on DVD or VHS, but every now and then it gets an airing on Veterans Day. Meanwhile, I'm reduced to watching my bootleg TCM copy. I've never grown tired of this film.