Bright Victory is a 1951 film, adapted by
Robert BucknerRobert Buckner was a film screenwriter, producer and short story writer.He wrote the screenplays for films including Knute Rockne All American...
from
Baynard KendrickBaynard Hardwick Kendrick wrote whodunit mystery novels about Duncan Maclain, a blind private investigator who worked with his two German shepherds and his household of assistants to solve murder mysteries. The novels were the basis for two films starring Edward Arnold, Eyes in the Night and The...
's novel
Lights Out. It was directed by
Mark RobsonMark Robson was a Canadian-born film editor, film director and producer in Hollywood.-Career:Born in Montreal, Quebec, he moved to the United States at a young age. He studied at the University of California, Los Angeles then found work in the prop department at 20th Century Fox studios...
, and it stars
Arthur KennedyJohn Arthur Kennedy was an American actor.-Early life:Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Kennedy graduated from Worcester Academy and Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. An award in Kennedy's honor is now presented every year to a deserving actor at Carnegie Mellon.-Career:Kennedy got his break when...
, Peggy Dow,
Julie AdamsJulie Adams is an American film and television actress, sometimes credited as Julia Adams or Betty Adams.-Life and career:...
,
James EdwardsJames Edwards may refer to:* James B. Edwards, US politician* James Edwards , US film actor* James Edwards , former NBA basketballer* James Bevan Edwards, UK politician and army general...
,
Will GeerWill Geer was an American actor and social activist. His original name was William Aughe Ghere. He is remembered for his portrayal of Grandpa Zebulon Tyler Walton in the 1970s TV series, The Waltons....
,
Nana BryantNana Bryant was an American film actress. She appeared in over 100 films between 1935 and 1955.She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and died in Hollywood, California...
,
Jim BackusJames Gilmore "Jim" Backus was a radio, television, film actor, character actor, and voice actor. Among his most famous roles are the voice of "Mr...
, and
Rock HudsonRock Hudson was an American film and television actor, recognized as a romantic leading man during the 1960s and 1970s, most notably in several romantic comedies with his most famous co-star, Doris Day...
.
Set during
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it is the story of Larry Nevins, an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sergeant
blindedBlindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
by a German
sniperA sniper is a highly trained marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles...
while fighting in
North AfricaNorth Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa.Geopolitically, the UN definition of Northern Africa includes the following seven countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia,Mauritania, and...
. He is taken back to the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and put into a hospital for other blinded soldiers, where he struggles to come to terms with his disability.
Bright Victory is a 1951 film, adapted by
Robert BucknerRobert Buckner was a film screenwriter, producer and short story writer.He wrote the screenplays for films including Knute Rockne All American...
from
Baynard KendrickBaynard Hardwick Kendrick wrote whodunit mystery novels about Duncan Maclain, a blind private investigator who worked with his two German shepherds and his household of assistants to solve murder mysteries. The novels were the basis for two films starring Edward Arnold, Eyes in the Night and The...
's novel
Lights Out. It was directed by
Mark RobsonMark Robson was a Canadian-born film editor, film director and producer in Hollywood.-Career:Born in Montreal, Quebec, he moved to the United States at a young age. He studied at the University of California, Los Angeles then found work in the prop department at 20th Century Fox studios...
, and it stars
Arthur KennedyJohn Arthur Kennedy was an American actor.-Early life:Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Kennedy graduated from Worcester Academy and Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. An award in Kennedy's honor is now presented every year to a deserving actor at Carnegie Mellon.-Career:Kennedy got his break when...
, Peggy Dow,
Julie AdamsJulie Adams is an American film and television actress, sometimes credited as Julia Adams or Betty Adams.-Life and career:...
,
James EdwardsJames Edwards may refer to:* James B. Edwards, US politician* James Edwards , US film actor* James Edwards , former NBA basketballer* James Bevan Edwards, UK politician and army general...
,
Will GeerWill Geer was an American actor and social activist. His original name was William Aughe Ghere. He is remembered for his portrayal of Grandpa Zebulon Tyler Walton in the 1970s TV series, The Waltons....
,
Nana BryantNana Bryant was an American film actress. She appeared in over 100 films between 1935 and 1955.She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and died in Hollywood, California...
,
Jim BackusJames Gilmore "Jim" Backus was a radio, television, film actor, character actor, and voice actor. Among his most famous roles are the voice of "Mr...
, and
Rock HudsonRock Hudson was an American film and television actor, recognized as a romantic leading man during the 1960s and 1970s, most notably in several romantic comedies with his most famous co-star, Doris Day...
.
Plot
Set during
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it is the story of Larry Nevins, an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sergeant
blindedBlindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.Various scales have been developed to describe the extent of vision loss and define blindness...
by a German
sniperA sniper is a highly trained marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles...
while fighting in
North AfricaNorth Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa.Geopolitically, the UN definition of Northern Africa includes the following seven countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia,Mauritania, and...
. He is taken back to the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and put into a hospital for other blinded soldiers, where he struggles to come to terms with his disability. While Larry quickly adapts physically, the difficulty of forging relationships unknowing of race, creed, or appearance takes its toll. He forges close friendships with Joe Morgan, another blinded veteran, and with Judy, a bank teller in town.
One day Larry, unaware that Joe is black, utters a racial slur against
African AmericanAfrican Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa. In the United States, the terms are generally used for Americans with at least partial Sub-Saharan African ancestry...
s. This causes a huge rift between Larry and the other men and makes him reconsider his attitudes towards race and friendship. Meanwhile, he progresses well in his recovery, passing a crucial test to see how well he can handle himself on the street. He is cleared for furlough, so on the eve of departure, Judy takes him for a visit to her sister's cabin. There, Larry learns of a very successful lawyer who is blind and this gives him hope for the future. After dinner, he and Judy talk and her love for him is revealed. He tells her that he needs more security and that he already has a fiancee at home.
Somewhat dispirited, he goes home for his furlough and has a rough time dealing with the racial attitudes of his Southern family and friends. His fiancee's family is having doubts about his fitness as a son-in-law and his parents are downcast because of his disability. Larry is happy to see his fiancee, Chris, though he is haunted by the thought of Judy. After a bad experience at the party welcoming him home, he talks with Chris and details the difficulties they can expect to face with his disability. He is passionate and driven about creating a new life and getting a job on his own merit. Chris asks for time to think about it and eventually tells Larry that she isn't strong enough to leave the security of her hometown as Larry struggles to make a new life for both of them.
Larry, disappointed, returning to the hospital, takes a side trip into Philadelphia and meets the famous lawyer who had given him hope. The lawyer tells him that life as a blind professional is difficult, but worth it and that his wife was an invaluable helper to him. Pondering this, Larry waits at the train station and while waiting, is unexpectedly reunited with Judy. They joyfully declare their mutual love and make plans for the future before Larry has to board the train.
While boarding, he hears Joe Morgan's name called. He catches Joe's arm, apologizes to him for all the hurt he caused him and asks if they can be friends. Joe accepts the apology and, reunited, the two friends board the train and sit together as it pulls out of the station.
Awards
Bright Victory was nominated for
Academy AwardsThe Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are presented annually by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers. The formal ceremony at which the awards are presented is...
for
Best Actor in a Leading RolePerformance by an Actor in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize an actor who has delivered an outstanding performance while working within the film industry...
(Arthur Kennedy) and
Best Sound, RecordingThe Academy Award for Sound Mixing is an Academy Award that recognizes the finest or most euphonic sound mixing or recording, and is generally awarded to the production sound mixers and re-recording mixers of the winning film. Compare this award to the Academy Award for Sound Editing...
.
The film was also entered into the
1951 Cannes Film FestivalThe 4th Cannes Film Festival was held on 3-20 April 1951. The festival was not held in 1950.-Jury:*André Maurois *Georges Bidault *Louis Chauvet *A...
.
Trivia
- Part of the film was made at Valley Forge Army Hospital
Valley Forge General Hospital is a former military hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The hospital is near both Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Valley Forge. It was the only United States Army General Hospital named for a place.- History :...
in Phoenixville, PennsylvaniaPhoenixville is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States, 28 miles northwest of Philadelphia, at the junction of French Creek with the Schuylkill River. The population was 14,788 at the 2000 census.- History :...
. The name of the town is mentioned in the film. There were also several scenes that were shot in downtown Phoenixville.