User reviews

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

Sergeant Larry Nevins (Arthur Kennedy) leads a wire team in North Africa during the war. A sniper blinds him with a shot which permanently takes away his sight. It is a long winding road for him to struggle for recovery, acceptance, and reintegration.

Arthur Kennedy got one of two Oscar nominations. For an audience coming out of the war, this would have been a personally compelling subject matter. It shows some real insights into his rehabilitation. I expected the romantic entanglements. That moment with Joe is truly emotional and so compelling. This is good work and perfect for the time period.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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?

Poignant account of blinded war veteran adjusting to civilian life. Though the premise has built-in emotional appeal, that fine actor Arthur Kennedy prevents the tale from becoming too sappy or even sentimental. Understandably, there were a number of these "adjustment" movies made after WWII, The Best Years Of Our Lives (1946), and The Men (1950), to name two. More than the others, I think, BV follows one man's (Kennedy) difficulties in re- integrating with family, love life, and community. Naturally, films of this type sought to be uplifting and optimistic in dealing with a devastating post-war problem. BV is no exception. Then too, the racial subtext is well-handled, bringing to the surface those inner qualities that are often overridden by outer appearance. In that sense, Larry's (Kennedy) perception is ironically sharpened by blindness once he figures out the lesson.

The movie's well-made, using actual locations such as city sidewalks, VA hospitals, and train stations, all of which provide a realistic feel. Then too, what guy wouldn't like being helped along by the likes of Judy (Dow) who resembles June Allyson's sexy older sister. Too bad, her accomplished career was so short. Just as regrettable is the amazing James Edwards, one of the first Blacks to get dignified roles. Seems his pioneering career was over-shadowed by the equally charismatic Sydney Poitier.

All in all, the movie surpasses its time because of the common humanity that appeals beneath one man's courageous struggle.