Bright Victory (1951) User Reviews

Blindness

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 18 February 2005]

"Bright Victory" came as a total surprise. The film is not seen as much as it should, because of its positive message. Mark Robson directed with an eye to detail. "Bright Victory" was adapted by Robert Bruckner and has a pleasant music score by Frank Skinner.

In spite of taking place during WWII, the movie seems timeless right now because of the Iraqi conflict. We are shown an Army hospital where the young soldiers are seen rehabilitating and learning new skills for their permanent disabilities. The wounded men we see in the Army facility at Valley Forge, Pa., are being treated because of their blindness as a result of wounds received in combat.

For a 1951 film, "Bright Victory", was light years ahead since the young G.I.s we see in the hospital have to come to terms with the fact they will not be able to see again in their lives. It's a credit to its director and screen writer to present this new reality the soldiers are going through with compassion and dignity.

A great performance from Arthur Kennedy, one of the best actors of that era, makes this movie appealing. Peggy Dow, as the compassionate young woman who volunteers in entertaining the wounded soldiers, is a welcome presence in the film. Mr. Kennedy and Ms. Dow made the film even better because their no nonsense approach to the portrayal of these two souls that find one another in the worst possible circumstances.

The movie also presents in smaller roles actors that went to have careers of their own. Will Geer, James Edwards, Jim Backus, Richard Egan, Murray Hamilton, Rock Hudson, and Jerry Paris play as part of the ensemble cast gathered for "Bright Victory".

This film is worth seeing because it shows us how some people overcome a terrible fate in a way we never thought possible.

A blind man has his eyes opened

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 11 April 2006]

Arthur Kennedy is Larry, a man blinded in WW II battle in "Bright Victory," a 1951 film that also stars Peggy Dow, Julia Adams, James Edwards, Will Geer, Jim Backus, and Larry Keating. Kennedy plays a southern racist whose life plan of marrying his high school sweetheart (Adams) and joining her wealthy father's business comes into doubt when he is shot and his optic nerve shattered during combat.

The film takes the viewer through Larry's training with other blind soldiers as he learns to adjust to a sightless life. One of the men, Joe (Edwards) is black and is his best buddy until Larry makes a bigoted remark (and uses the n word for extra emphasis). A fellow soldier points out to him that from now on, he probably won't want to ask someone's race and religion before deciding if they pass muster. This sets Larry thinking. He meets a sympathetic young woman, Judy (Dow), who falls for him but has to let him go home to the life he has there. But when Larry returns to his family, he finds that because he's changed, the world around him has changed, too.

This looks to be a B movie but Kennedy received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, and the acting in the film is A quality, as is the script and direction. Kennedy is excellent and does one thing, I believe intentionally, that is remarkable. At least to these ears, he has no southern accent in the beginning of the film. When he returns home, you start to hear a southern accent in his voice. Now, some might say that Kennedy's southern accent was in and out - I don't believe that was the case. He did what a lot of people with an 'acute ear' do - he picked up the accent of those around him. As a blind man, of course, his ear would even be more acute, and in several scenes, he is shown to have a unique "radar" ability for "feeling" when he is near a building, which is considered by the Army to be a unique gift not shared by many. It would then be in character for him to easily fall in and speak with the same intonation as the accents around him. Kennedy, of course, went on to have a strong career as a character actor (and receive more Oscar nominations) while one of the bit players in the film, Rock Hudson, who is fairly bad even with a couple of lines, hit the superstardom jackpot. Fortunately, Hudson improved greatly before being handed leads.

Julia Adams is lovely (and strongly resembles actress Connie Selleca) as Larry's frustrated girlfriend, and Dow is sympathetic as the girl left behind. After a few more movies, the very pretty Dow quit her film career to marry and subsequently raised five children. Will Geer, Larry Keating, and Jim Backus, three strong character actors, appear in this film as well.

"Bright Victory" is an excellent movie and well worth watching, particularly for the complicated personality created by Arthur Kennedy.

Kennedy is marvelous

[Kirasjeri · 8/10 · 27 July 1999]

Reminds me more of Pride of the Marines than Best Years of Their Lives. Blinded returning vet has to readjust. Arthur Kennedy never was better than in this movie. The ending in this cynical age seems too upbeat, but such endings DID happen. See: The Men with Brando for another crippled returning vet film.

A continuing lesson

[rebeccarule2 · 10 August 2010]

Of course I always loved Bright Victory, since my dad was one of the blinded veterans used as extras in the movie. I remember him telling me that Kennedy had dark contacts in, and would yell out to remove them as soon as a scene was over.My dad said he felt like calling out, "But I can't remove mine!" It is a wonderful story of many blinded vets, particularly at that time. A captain was accompanying my dad and another blind soldier, who happened to be black, to their homes in GA. When they came to the train station in DC, they were informed that the black man could no longer ride in the same car. Both the captain and my dad were outraged for this soldier who had also gave his sight for his country. A new car was added to the train, and the 3 soldiers had it all to themselves. I was proud of my dad and the captain for taking that stand. They are deceased, but the lesson of the train, and the lesson of "Bright Victory" are both stories I pass on to my child and to my students over 32 years.

Wounded.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 7 February 2013]

This is one of a spate of movies about returning veterans made during the war or post-war years. They include, most notably, "The Best Years of Our Lives," as well as "The Men" and, to a lesser extent, "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" and "Pride of the Marines." This one, like "Pride of the Marines," deals with men who have been blinded in the war. "Pride of the Marines" is the better film because its narrative structure gives us a clear idea of the life and the woman that Al Schmidt left behind in Philadelphia. It also includes twenty minutes of the most harrowing combat scenes I've ever seen in the movies, and done on the Warner's lot.

This one isn't badly done. The medical judgment on Arthur Kennedy's blindness leaves no room for miraculous recovery, and the mechanics of learning to get about without being sighted are interestingly described. The movie has an engaging and relevant sub-story. In the Army hospital, Kennedy's best friend, James Woods, is also blind, and it isn't until later in their bond that Kennedy discovers that he's an African-American, just after Kennedy uses the N word. It's a painful moment. And it's better than it might have been because Kennedy doesn't drop to his knees at once and beg forgiveness. Instead, he sulks because, "He should have let me know what he was at the beginning." Later, as Kennedy's character evolves, he's irritated by his mother's complaining about what the war did to "our Nigras." Kennedy snaps, "I know what it did to one of them." Again, the exchange isn't handled with emphasis but with some thought. No zooming close up of Kennedy's face as he says the line. It's just another piece in the conversation but it tells us a great deal about Kennedy and the changes he's undergoing.

Although Kennedy is no Marlon Brando, he's pretty good in the role of the wounded veteran. Never a bravura performer, he was an exceptionally versatile supporting player -- ranging from man of principle to treacherous Western villain. Nobody ever WHINED so convincingly as Arthur Kennedy. The rest of the cast is convincing enough, and Will Geer as Kennedy's father stands out.

The direction is by Mark Robson, who did the subtle and ambiguous "The Seventh Victim" for Val Lewton at RKO, after which his work tended towards the routine. His direction here can be described as functional. He gets the story told without bringing much to the party. Example: There's a scene in which Kennedy is welcomed back to his home town in Florida by neighbors who are happy to see him back but unprepared to deal with a blind man. Their excess of sympathy becomes clumsy and abrasive. But Robson keeps the camera more or less in the same obvious place; the scene itself is flatly lighted with a high key light; and the sense of stasis leaps out at the viewer despite the drama being played out on the screen.

Excellent movie

[g2608671 · 10/10 · 24 April 2006]

I first saw this movie as a kid in the early 60's at my dad's suggestion. He wanted me to pay attention to the real story, that being that racism has no place in a free society. I did pay attention, and to this day, his instance that I watch the movie for content is among the fondest memories I have of my Dad. He taught me how to hunt, fish, drive a car, paint a house and respect people. It is all the more remarkable, especially since I grew up in an all white town in western PA. Also, I now live no more than a few hundred yards where the movie was made. The former VF Army Hospital is now mostly under the ownership of the VF Christian College - a great resource and an asset to our community. When my family moved here some 20 years ago, we immediately discovered the "old army base" and I frequently took our kids there to walk, play on the falling down miniature golf course and just try to imagine what the facility was like when it was in use (swimming pool, gymnasium, small duck pin bowing alley, full size golf course and two fishing ponds)-- and what the presence of the base meant to Phoenixville then. I actually played handball on that court that Artuhr Kennedy is tested on for obstacle perception. The facility specialized in head and eye injuries and had a very substantial psychiatric ward as well. Anyhow, along with the anti-racism message umbered in the movie, I enjoy the scenes of the old hospital and reflect on what it looks like now. And of course,-- the scenes of old Phoenixville, although way before my time, bring a sense of nostalgia to me that is hard to describe not being a native of the area. None the less, it's there. As an aside, for anyone who is interested; Phoenixville is where they filmed The Blob with Steve McQueen -- the Colonial theater still stands to this day and has become a landmark. Oddly enough, McQueen and Kennedy would appear together in Nevada Smith years later. It is indeed a small world.

Home of the Blind

[kapelusznik18 · 7/10 · 24 August 2016]

***SPOILERS*** Struck down by a Germans sniper bullet in the battle of Tunisia US Army Sgt. Larry Nevins, Arthur Kennedy, ends up losing his sight as well as being in the dark for the rest of his life. At the Valley Forge Military Hospital for the blind Larry soon strikes up a relationship with civilian volunteer Judy Greene, Peggy Dow, as well as fellow blind GI Joe Morgan, James Edwards, who unknown to the very racist towards blacks Larry is, as their called today in our mixed up and political correct society, African/American. Larry's relationship with Judy is Luke warm at first but in "seeing" how she cares about Larry as a man not in feeling sorry for him it leads to the two falling in love with each other. As for Larry's friendship with Joe well that's another story.

Despite the film being about disable US veterans much like the previous film "The Men" staring Marlon Brando released a year earlier it really centers more around race relations which at the time of its release in 1951 was more or less a taboo subject in Hollywood films. As for Larry he really came across as a total jerk or being tone deft in not realizing that his friend Joe was black in not recognizing his speech pattern that was very obviously that of an, here we go again, African/American for anyone to spot! Even someone like him who grew up back in then in what were shown as racist Florida where he came in contact with blacks in all walks of life!

Not realizing that his good friend Joe was black Larry blurted out the notorious "N" word about a number of blacks being admitted in the veterans hospital which he felt was against US Army policy. Then that like the song says turned out to be "The end of a beautiful friendship" between him & Joe. The remainder of the movie has Larry, now ridden with self guilt, trying to "see" things in a way in him being blind that he couldn't see when he had perfect 20/20 vision. That lead Larry to become a far better man then he was before he lost his sight. That in Larry dropping the girl that he left behind Chris, Julie Adama,who in fact turned out to be as racist, towards blacks, as he was before he was injured and went back to Judy who was both sweet and understanding towards him as well as everyone, black as well as white, she helped with serving coffee & doughnuts at the veterans hospital!

***SPOILERS*** In the final scene of the film "Bright Victory" Larry now a new man with a new attitude towards life and race relations is finally reunited with Joe at the train station who's feeling, in using the "N" word in his presences, he deeply hurt and asked Joe to still be his friend which he gladly excepted. The film showed that even though Larry lost his sight in the end he finally saw the light by "seeing" people like Joe Morgan in what the late Rev. Martin Luther King said not by the color of a persons skin but in the content of their character. Something that while back in the states and US Army,until he was blinded by a sniper's bullet, he was too blind to notice.

Moving Post WWII Drama

[haridam0 · 9/10 · 22 February 2006]

In "Dark Victory" the lead goes blind and faces encroaching death. In "Bright Victory" the lead's already blind and faces encroaching life.

The latter seems far more challenging.

Arthur Kennedy's Oscar-nominated performance as Larry buoys this film from start to finish. His excellent naturalistic style is perfect for the returning disabled vet.

Peggy Dow (as Judy) and Julie Adams (as Chris) are both fine as the women in Larry's life. The script is so sensitively written that both female characters are totally believable in their motivations.

James Edwards delivers his usual solid work as Joe, Larry's best friend.

Mark Robson's direction is efficient and level headed, and the photography, editing and music are all extremely tasteful.

This is one of Authur Kennedy's finest hours, amongst a distinguished body of work during a most versatile career.

Uninspired!

[JohnHowardReid · 6/10 · 5 November 2017]

Director: MARK ROBSON. Screenplay: Robert Buckner. Based on the novel "Lights Out" by Bayard Kendrick. Photography: William Daniels. Film editor: Russell Schoengarth. Art directors: Bernard Herzbrun, Nathan Juran. Set decorators: Russell A. Gausman and John Austin. Music: Frank Skinner. Costumes: Rosemary Odell. Hair styles: Joan St. Oegger. Make-up: Bud Westmore. Assistant director: John Sherwood. Sound recording: Leslie I. Carey, Corson Jowett. Western Electric Sound System. Producer: Robert Buckner.

U.S. release: January 1952. U.K. release: 21 April 1951 (sic). A Universal picture. 96 minutes.

U.K. release title: "Lights Out".

SYNOPSIS: Larry Nevins, a blinded World War 2 veteran, is discharged from hospital, returns home, and attempts to adjust to civilian life.

COMMENT: A semi-documentary, largely filmed on location at the General Hospital, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, has as its theme, the rehabilitation of the blind.

That theme is hardly a box-office prospect, although screenwriter- producer Robert (Yankee Doodle Dandy, Night and Day) Buckner has in-advisedly attempted to inject such values via episodes of romantic melodrama that simply don't belong in the proceedings at all.

Unfortunately, this is not the only problem that militates against an art-house circuit release. Another black mark so far as sophisticated audiences are concerned, can be chalked up to the movie's lack of artistry. True, Arthur Kennedy delivers one of the finest performances of his career, but in other respects, Mark Robson's direction lacks not only both fire and thunder, but dare we say it, Inspiration?

Very good drama, holds your interest

[hublet · 9/10 · 8 January 2000]

This film was partially filmed on location at Valley Forge General Hospital (and NOT at the actual Valley Forge), in Phoenixville, PA. This hospital was a center for rehabilitating blind soldiers during World War II. Every enlisted man assigned to Valley Forge Gen. Hosp. after 1952 was shown this film as part of their orientation to the hospital.

Some of the interior and exterior shots were done at the hospital. The scenes where the soldier walks toward blank walls was done at the outdoor handball courts at the hospital. Several ward scenes were also shot there.

It was nice to see medics portrayed as something other than just battlefield personnel.

I would love to have a video of this film, but such is not available.

Well acted, and reasonably realistic.

Insight into race relations of the time; lead Arthur Kennedy Oscar nomination

[jacobs-greenwood · 7/10 · 15 December 2016]

Directed by Mark Robson, this film provides a contrast to Dark Victory (1939) in that the lead character starts out being blinded, and though he doesn't regain his sight, he learns to adjust. Arthur Kennedy, like Bette Davis (in DV), was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, as was this film's Sound. Robert Buckner wrote the screenplay.

Set during World War II, Arthur Kennedy plays Larry Nevins, a Southerner soldier from Seminola, FL working in an artillery communications unit. When he and two others from his unit (including Rock Hudson) go to repair a failed transmitter, Nevins is shot through the temple by an enemy sniper, and is blinded. He returns to the States to the Valley Forge Hospital in Phoenixville, PA which specializes in rehabilitating sightless veterans. Though initially he attempts suicide, he is assisted by Corporal Flagg (John Hudson), who aids his adjustment to his condition by teaching him how to function. Larry also learns that he has a special skill, the ability to sense objects in front of him, which not all blind people have.

Larry literally bumps into another blind soldier, Joe Morgan (James Edwards), and they become fast friends. The two friends swim, bowl, and otherwise hangout together with the other men in the hospital similarly affected (Richard Egan, Murray Hamilton, and Jerry Paris are recognizable). He also meets & spends time with Judy Greene (Peggy Dow), a nice local young woman who befriends him. But, when Larry hears there are (racial N-word, in lieu of) Negroes coming to the hospital, his slur is heard by the others including Joe, who is Black. This negatively affects Larry's relationship with Joe and everyone else, who cold shoulder him from then on. With Masterson's help, Larry passes an important field test in the city to certify that he's ready for a furlough, and to graduate to the advanced school in Avon. Masterson also makes Larry think about the fact that, for the rest of his life, he'll encounter people without knowing their race, religion, etc. unless & until he asks them.

Two days before he leaves on his month long furlough home, Judy, who's parents are deceased, takes Larry to her only family, her sister's house. Joan Banks plays Judy's sister, Jim Backus plays her brother in law Bill. Bill's a lawyer, and he tells Larry about another lawyer he competes against, and loses to, that's also blind. Larry also learns that Judy has fallen in love with him, but he has a girl Chris (Julie Adams) back home, which she knew about already. He tells Judy that, though it's been 3 years since he's seen Chris, what he needs most is security, and of the plans Chris and he had made before he left to go overseas. Judy is heartbroken and Larry returns home.

Before Larry arrives in Seminola, we learn that Chris's father (Minor Watson) is not too keen on the idea of the two young lovers getting married, now that Larry's blind. And, Larry learns that there is just as much of an adjustment for everyone else in town, including his parents (Will Geer & Nana Bryant), as there is for himself, given his condition. Larry is shocked to hear how his mother speaks of their departed maid, a Negro, and upsets her when he points it out.

Ultimately, things do not work out between Chris and Larry (and there's a scene reminiscent of Fatal Attraction (1987) with Larry turning on and off a lamp in the dark), and he returns to Phoenixville on his way to Avon. Bill introduces him to his blind lawyer friend, who's profession now interests Larry, and the lawyer tells Larry of the importance of a sighted companion, like his wife. Judy meets Larry's departing train, where they swear their love for each other, and briefly make plans for their future together. Finally, Larry runs into Joe Morgan, who happens to be on the same train to Avon, and the two have a reconciliation as the train departs and the film ends.

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

[fmalmstrom · 10/10 · 16 December 2004]

"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.

It takes a blind man to see the world more clearly.

[thejcowboy22 · 5/10 · 8 November 2021]

Sunday evening, the fall of 1965 watching the Ed Sullivan Show with my Grandpa Abe. Generations have passed since this landmark variety show aired on the CBS network. Mr. Sullivan was originally a columnist for a large New York newspaper who branched out to the new medium of television. Originally coined "The Talk Of The Town", the one-hour program was a rating success because Ed being a marketing genius, knew what the viewers wanted to watch. Ed would circle the globe to pick the best acts from music, opera, ballet, comedy, magic/novelty, and contemporary rock and roll groups. One such novelty act consisted of twenty-five men singing patriotic favorites, The U. S. Marine Corps choir. One of the men was Black as the camera gave a close-up shot to each of the participants. . When the camera came to the black soldier's closeup I began to laugh and said to my Grandpa he looks funny with those big lips. My Grandpa's disposition changed dramatically as his face was filled with irritation by my racial comment. His response was, "You don't know this man. For all you know he is probably the best singer in that group and maybe the best soldier on the base. I watched Bright Victory many years ago on the Million Dollar Movie. The movie starts as a typical war-oriented action movie but quite innocently. Sargent Larry Nevins (Arthur Kennedy ) gets stuck by a snipers' bullet to the head. Next, our recovering Sargent is recuperating in a stateside Army hospital for blinded soldiers. After getting over the shock of being permanently blind, he works on his disability by memorization and the use of a cane. Larry walks the hospital grounds and befriends a fellow recovering blind soldier named Joe Morgan (James Edwards). Larry's progression is going smoothly as he ventures into town and meets a bank teller. Judy (Peggy Dow) who also contributes her time at the hospital for disabled soldiers. One day Larry blirts out a racial comment in front of newly acquired friend Joe. What Larry didn't know is that Joe is Black Man. Larry's progress earns him furlough as Judy takes an interest in Larry. She invites him to her Brother-in-law's cabin for a weekend of fishing. There Larry meets Bill Grayson (Jim Backus). Bill explains to Larry that his life is not over and tells him about a Blind lawyer friend he wants him to meet. Judy professed her love for Larry but Larry says he has a fiance in his southern hometown. More obstacles and life lessons for Larry as he ventures down south to his hometown. I personally learned a few life lessons by watching this film. The mirror scene got to me personally as Larry learned for the first time that his vision was permanently gone but this doesn't ruin the story. We learn that there are kind and caring strangers out there. We also learn that you judge people not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Notable players in the film,. Will Geer plays Larry's father. Julie Adams as Larry's fiance. Others participants; Larry Keating as the blind lawyer with an eye-opening pitch for his future. Richard Egan, Minor Watson, and, mentioning Minor, Rock Hudson and, Murray Hamilton in minor rolls. I often think back to that evening with my Grandpa watching the Marines singing in harmony and my error in profiling someone who is different.

Compares favorably with "Best Years of our Lives"

[Niro · 12 November 1998]

I stumbled upon this excellent and compelling film during AMC's "Veterans' Day Movie Marathon." Dealing with a soldier's (Arthur Kennedy) rehabilitation after losing his sight during WWII in surprisingly frank ways for its time (released in 1951), this seems to me to be the first time I saw raw racism and its consequences in a film. A superb love story on the surface, it's the underlying themes of classism, racism and realistically dealing with the handicapped which set it a notch above the terrific 1946 film, "The Best Years of our Lives." Face it, Harold Russell, while a hero, was no actor. The electricity between Kennedy and his new "friend" (played by Peggy Dow ~ whatever became of this talented actress? Her career lasted only 4 years) is remarkable. Happy ending doesn't detract.

Love this movie

[cwalborn · 10/10 · 9 November 2010]

One of the reasons I love this movie so much is because my father was in the cast! He was the bus driver who picked up Sargeant Nevins. He has spoken lines, so I've often wondered why his name did not appear on the credits. He was not at all bothered by that, but his family was. But despite that omission, I loved my Dad's stories of how the movie was made, when and where. His part was filmed in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, near the Valley Forge Veterans Hospital, which I'm sure was part of the whole scene. My Dad was an amateur actor out of Norristown, Pennsylvania. I suppose he had the right build and voice for the part. He actually looked a great deal like Jackie Gleason, and in his bus driver suit, resembled Ralph Cramdon. He was quite proud of his little stint into the movie world.

Cherrie

Color Blind

[twanurit · 9/10 · 13 February 1999]

I've seen this movie many times, and it still holds up beautifully for a decades old film. The music, direction, photography are top-notch. Best of all are the magical performances of all the players: Arthur Kennedy is heart-wrenching as the blinded soldier, John Hudson as a helpful rehab captain, Will Geer and Nana Bryant are warm and wonderful as Kennedy's parents, Julie Adams is appealing as Kennedy's girlfriend back home, Jim Backus and Joan Banks as friends. And lastly, the amazingly talented Peggy Dow portrays Kennedy's guide to emotional recovery with sympathetic and graceful conviction. Smaller roles feature eventual bigger names: Richard Egan, Murray Hamilton, Bernie Hamilton, and Rock Hudson. A scene with Kennedy, awaiting a decision from Adams, sitting nervously in the dark toggling a lamp switch predates "Fatal Attraction" (1987). *Updated 10/16/2016* - My favorite part of the film is the large subplot of Kennedy's developing friendship with another blinded soldier, a black man (superbly portrayed by James Edwards). Neither one knows the others skin color, until the truth comes out and Kennedy severs it. Kennedy soon comes around, realizing his parents were taught racial prejudice, as did theirs. Last scene is beautiful. This still resonates today. But we've come so far, with a (half) black President of the United States.

Richard Egan: "There's lots worse things could happen to a man."

[brujay-1 · 9/10 · 30 December 2006]

Ask most people who brought black actors into serious roles and they'll say Sidney Poitier. Wrong. Before Poitier was James Edwards. Watch him in "Home of the Brave" and "Pork Chop Hill" and no less in this picture. (Ironically, his last role was as a "menial," Scott's orderly in "Patton.") He's been under-appreciated in the sociology of movies.

But Edwards doesn't star here, rather it's Arthur Kennedy, who never quite made it as a lead and was soon regularly cast as a charming villain, much like Dan Duryea before him. Nevertheless, he handles this role, a soldier permanently blinded in the war undergoing extensive VA rehabilitation, as well as could be done. We learn things about blindness in "Bright Victory," about its lows and the courage it takes to cope with it. The racist issue is secondary but by no means muted. It may be a little simplistic to proclaim that the racist divide is simply a visual prejudice--that to a blind man everybody is the same color--but it's a start.

Another important prejudice issue is about handicaps. Kennedy's high school sweetheart has to finally reject him because she realizes she can't cope with his blindness (contrast with "The Best Years of Our Lives"). Even his parents have to teach themselves to deal with it.

It's a tough-minded film, all in all, unique in its way, not meant to be "heartwarming" as films about the handicapped seem to have to be these days.

Bright Victory made me think.

[rebecca-scott · 10/10 · 28 December 2006]

I loved the movie!!! I turned the channel to the movie when it had already started and I couldn't leave. As in many of the older films positive character qualities are taught; this film is a great one for children to see to learn about how "God looks upon the heart" of a man. It's about overcoming, change of heart, honesty, and learning how to value what is truly important in life. Most importantly for me it has a happy predictable ending that left me with such a warm feeling. The more I looked at Arthur Kennedy's facial features the more I saw Kiether Sutherland. I'm wondering if they are kin in some way, but I couldn't find any link on internet searches.

Racial Issues

[keltiaproductions · 4 January 2007]

What is really interesting about this movie, is the "race" issues it addresses and for the time in which it was made, that is rather remarkable.

The Nevins character is a good old boy from the South and openly expresses his racism. The first time is when he's on the plane headed back to the states and a black soldier sits next to to him. They're both from Florida start talking. Nevins asks him if he knows the country club and the guys says he served tables at it. Nevins now realizes the guy is black and immediately calls over a nurse to sit by him.

The next time is in the rehabilitation hospital. Nevins accidentally walks into a black soldier, also blind. All Nevins recognizes is the man's southern accent and offers to buy him a drink. They become "friends" and hang out together. Then one day, the other blind soldiers mention there are some new patients coming into their ward and Nevins pops off, "Yeah, and I heard 3 of them are (uses the "N" word)". The black guys just stops in his tracks now realizing how his new friend really thinks and feels.

The other blind white soldiers already knew the guy was black and remarked "Maybe he thought you were colored too".

Later on Nevins goes home and is with his parents, who are equally racist. Nevins starts to "see" the errors of his ways/thinking. There is a bit of justification from the father that that was how they were brought up, etc., but for 1951 it is amazing they were even addressing such things let alone using the "N" word.

No Marquee Names

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 21 October 2005]

Bright Victory was one of a trio of films that came out roughly around the same time dealing with rehabilitation of wounded armed service personnel, the other films being The Men and Home From the Brave. This one however dealt with those men blinded in combat.

It was also something of a surprise to the studio that produced it. This is clearly a product of Universal's B picture unit, no marquee names head the cast. But Arthur Kennedy's portrayal of Larry Nevins was so well received that he got an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 1951 losing to Humphrey Bogart.

Kennedy is a southern kid, wounded in North Africa and left blinded by the war. He along with many others go to a special army rehabilitation unit for the blind. Along the way he meets Peggy Dow and the two of them hit it off. But Kennedy's got a girl waiting for him back home.

The film is about Kennedy's rehabilitation in adjusting to a dark world. He readjusts a few other things as well. Kennedy has the usual southern attitudes about race and rebuffs James Edwards's proffered friendship when he finds out he's black. It's quite a revelation to him to find out that blindness gives the two of them a lot more in common than race had previously divided them.

This is the high point of Arthur Kennedy's career. A fine character actor, this film should have put him into leading man ranks. It didn't however, but Kennedy surely never lacked for work throughout his career.

Peggy Dow had made her debut in Harvey where she scored well as the empathetic nurse and followed that portrayal with a well received one here. She left the screen after this. Too bad, she was a pretty girl with real talent.

Sharp eyes will spot Rock Hudson in a bit part. In another year Rock might have been the lead here and this would have been an A product from Universal. But then Arthur Kennedy would not have gotten his greatest career part.

Moving and intelligent

[MOscarbradley · 8/10 · 13 June 2018]

"Bright Victory" was one of a group of movies made in the late forties and early fifties to deal with wounded or paraplegic war veterans. This one is a lot less sudsy than most and is given an extra dimension by having a hero who is not only blind but a racist. He is very well played by Arthur Kennedy, (in an Oscar-nominated performance and winning the New York Film Critics award), and the film has a decent supporting cast Mark Robson was the director and while he was always a good jobbing director he was not always the most inspired and was often at the mercy of his material. Here he has a sensitive subject and one that is not often dealt with and he handles it with a real degree of intelligence. A movie that should be revived more often than it is.

Brutally Honest Movie

[XweAponX · 10/10 · 9 May 2006]

It seems I had made a comment on this film and it vanished. That comment had to do with the brutal honesty of this work, because it deals with a racial issue, and the write and director took a lot of chances keeping a certain word often used to refer to people of a certain skin colour.

I was absolutely shocked to hear that word used in this film, it actually made me jump out of my seat. It was used in a derogatory manner, but that does not mean that this is a racist or even a racial film, Racism is just one of the issues dealt with in the film. Which I think is more the issue here, than the lead loosing his sight and learning how to deal with it. In the script, the character learned that colour does not matter, with or without sight. And so, I appreciate this moovie, it took a lot of courage to keep that word in the script to make a bigger and better statement.

Also I had made a comment that Peggy Dow was in this film, which turns out to be a rare "treat"- I had heard she retired from films shortly after this one, if she would have stayed on, she may have been a bigger name, but as it is, she was perfect for the part.

I was comparing this to "Some Came Running," a film that a big deal was made out of: And was ruined by the editing of one word. Dean Martin had told Frank Sinatra that Frank could not marry the character played by Shirley Maclaine, "You can't marry her, she's a pig!" - Well, I am sure that the author of the book on which that was based, did not use the word "Pig" I am sure it is something else, describing a woman of certain virtues.

The changing of one word ruined that film for me, and the inclusion of another "bad" word made "Lights Out" a more believable story for me.

Because the use of one BAD word, a GOOD moovie was made here. You'll hear the "Bad" word when the lead finds out that his best friend is a coloured person. In the long run, the lead learns that it just does not matter. The resolution of this film is satisfactory- And the whole story is told and we can believe in it because of the honesty used.

One more thing I mentioned was the camera work, and that they chose not to use rear projection for car ride scenes: This is highly effective when Peggy Dow brings "Nevins" to a park- They are filmed IN the car, actually driving on a road, and look for the scene where they drive under a covered bridge: It is fantastic. Just more of the things that made this moovie Real, Honest, and enjoyable.

The original story was called "Lights Out," and I wonder how much the title of the release, "Bright Victory" is because of an earlier (greater) moovie called Dark Victory? But I agree the title had to be changed from Lights Out, and Bright Victory is as good as anything else, right?

Quite impressive...

[andypolon-1 · 8/10 · 13 May 2005]

Very effective statement on how to adjust to becoming handicapped.

The light at the end of the tunnel is the meaning of the title

You must accept the "dated quality."

If you love old B&W movies this is a good one.

One would hope a person who becomes handicapped would be able to adjust as well as the hero of this tale.

The road is often Not so well traveled. As I have recently become handicapped I found this film appropriate.

The handling of the racial issue is also well done.

Good script and and well rendered by the cast.

Unfortunately, a movie which will rarely be seen.

[joewright1935 · 8 March 2003]

The film deals with the problem of coming to terms with life after the war (WW2). Arthur Kennedy plays the role of a soldier who is blinded and must face the grim prospect of adapting to this condition. His despair is even more apparent when he has to learn to shave himself, something once so simple is now a daily reminder of his plight. The film underlines the trajic consequences for the soldiers who did not come out of the conflict unscathed. Kennedy gives a first rate performance as do the rest of the cast, Julie Adams, his girl friend and Peggy Dow who assists in his rehabilitation. James Edwards plays the role of a coloured veteran who has to endure the racial issue which was still very dominant, and he once again gives a first rate performance. Edwards was an actor who did not receive the acclaim to which I thought he was worthy of. Jim Bachus another, excellent actor, plays the role of Kennedy`s father and he to excells. A superb movie, should be shown more often.

Simply terrific!

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 26 August 2016]

I am surprised that "Bright Victor" isn't a more famous film, as it's simply wonderful--well written, poignant and about the best thing Arthur Kennedy ever did. In many ways, it's a lot like "The Men" and "The Best Years of Our Lives", though instead of focusing on a group of men and their working through their lives post-war, this is the story of one guy and his struggle to find himself a place in life following a terrible battle injury.

When the film begins, three American soldiers* are attacked by German snipers. One is killed and another, Larry Nevins (Kennedy), is shot in the temple. He miraculously survived but awakens in a hospital...blinded by the bullet. It seems his optic nerves were destroyed and there's no chance of his regaining his vision. So it's up to Larry to work through rehab...learning to adapt to life as a blind man. Additionally, Larry learns that his blindness has a serious impact on the folks around him and he's no longer the man he once was...and in some ways, that's a blessing.

What I loved about this film is that a simple story idea is handled so well and brings in so many important considerations. First, that his being blind brings out the worst in some folks. Second, and very profound, is that Larry learns that he's not much of a guy as well. I loved the portion of the film where blinded Larry becomes best friends with a fellow blind soldier (James Edwards)...and when he later learns that the friend is black it destroys this relationship. But, even better, this causes Larry to question himself and encourages growth. While racism is only handled briefly in the film, it turns out to be perhaps the strongest message in this film that is anything but heavy-handed. Overall, an amazingly well made film that will grab your emotions and shake them for all they're worth...but in a good way!! Well worth seeing and one of the better movies of the era...so good, I considered giving it a 10. But, unlike some reviewers, I rarely give 10s and save it only for the most extraordinary pictures.