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Claudette Colbert, Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten, Shirley Temple, Monty Woolley ... see more see more... , Agnes Moorehead , Lionel Barrymore , Robert Walker , Hattie McDaniel , Jane Devlin , Lloyd Corrigan , Gordon Oliver , Robert Anderson , Irving Bacon , Aileen Pringle , Charles Williams , Wallis Clark , Leo Mostovoy , James Carlisle , George Chandler , Ann Gillis , Grady Sutton , Ruth Valmy , Jackie Moran , Buddy Gorman , Andrew V. McLaglen , Addison Richards , George Lloyd , Barbara Pepper , Guy Madison , Jill Warren , Byron Foulger , Harry Hayden , Edwin Maxwell , Russell Hoyt , Florence Bates , Conrad Binyon , Theodore von Eltz , Adeline de Walt Reynolds , Robert Cherry , Kirk Barron , Jack Gardner , Doodles Weaver , Dorothy Adams , James Westerfield , Warren Hymer , Ralph Reed , Peggy Maley , Rob Johnson , Shelby Bacon , Eddie Hall , Eilene Janssen , Harlan Miller , Neyle Marx , Johnny Bond , Ruth Roman , Steve Wayne , Marilyn Hare , Jonathan Hale , Walter S. Baldwin , Eric Sinclair , Craig Stevens , Albert Basserman , Jimmy Clemons , Keenan Wynn , Rhonda Fleming , Lela Bliss , Dorothy Dandridge , William B. Davidson , Jimmie Dodd , Dorothy Garner , Neil Hamilton , Alla Nazimova , John Derek , Terry Moore , Tom Dawson , Janelle Johnson Dolenz

David O. Selznick's first production since 1940's Rebecca, Since You Went Away, based on Margaret Buell Wilder's bestselling novel, is a long but rewarding paean to the World War 2 "home front". Claud... read more read more...ette Colbert plays the wife of a businessman who, though well past draft age, volunteered to serve his country as an officer (though the husband is never seen, he is "played"-via a photograph-by Neil Hamilton). Fighting back her own fears and anxieties, Colbert does her best to maintain a normal, stable household for the sake of her growing daughters Jennifer Jones and Shirley Temple. She is offered moral support by cynical-but-kindly boarder Monty Woolley, by maid Hattie McDaniel (who willing foregoes her salary "for the duration") and by Navy man and friend-of-the-family Joseph Cotten, whose relationship with Claudette remains staunchly platonic. The harsh realities of war hit home several times throughout the film, first when it seems as though Colbert's husband is missing in action, and later when Jennifer's young boyfriend, GI Robert Walker, is killed in combat. From the vantage point of the 1990s, it is easy to see why Since You Went Away scored with its wartime audiences. Though the leading characters are slightly more financially secure than most of the moviegoers of 1944, the various vignettes presented throughout-complaints about rationing and priorities, shoulder-to-shoulder sacrifices, the weekly escape to the local movie house, tender partings, joyous reunions, the returning wounded, the dreaded wire from the war department-all had the ring of truth and topicality. Even today, the film's emotional highlights, particularly the much-imitated farewell scene at the railroad station, are sufficient to bring tears to the eyes of the most jaded viewer. Enhancing the film's heartstring tugging tenfold is Max Steiner's Oscar-winning musical score. If you can remain objective while watching Since You Went Away (it isn't easy), see if you can spot Ruth Roman, Guy Madison and John Derek, making their screen debuts in microscopic roles ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

79% liked it

1,202 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: John Cromwell

Release Date: July 20, 1944

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DVD Release Date: October 19, 2004

Stats: 94 reviews

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Since You Went Away Claudette Colbert in Since You Went Away Jones, Walker an Cotten Jennifer Jones in Since You Went Away SINCE YOU WENT AWAY Monty Woolley & Shirley Temple in Since You Went Away Claudette Colbert in Since You Went Away Monty Woolley in Since You Went Away Since You Went Away Since You Went Away Since You Went Away Claudette Colbert in Since You Went Away Robert Walker & Monty Woolley in Since You Went Away Joseph Cotten & Jennifer Jones in Since You Went Away
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Flixster Reviews (94)

  • flixsterman
    February 3, 2009
    flixsterman
    Nice 40's drama reflecting the "war at home" during the height of WWII. Superb performances from Claudette Colbert and Lionel Barrymore. The knock on this one is it's length (three hours!) and it's occasionally forced sentimentality.
  • jjnxn
    October 6, 2007
    jjnxn
    long and at times a little heavy on the corn but also very touching with beautiful cinematography and fine performances.
  • codyfranklin2
    December 9, 2008
    codyfranklin2
    A gorgeous looking film with a all-star cast.Its about the everyday lives of a mother and her two daughters on the home front during WWII while all the men are away. It's sappy at times, but it has the Selznick touch and is quite enjoyable. Joesph Cotton has a supporting role in... read more this film, as a old family friend, and every scene he is in is pure gold. It also has the famous scene that is parodied in Airplane! of the young girl chasing the train(plane) saying goodbye to her army boyfriend running into towers and receiving a watch that doesn't work. Not as good as Best years Of Our Lives or Mrs. Miniver, but worth a look if you enjoy WWII chick flixs.
  • inhonoredglory
    July 16, 2011
    inhonoredglory
    A definite favorite for me. This movie showed me the many facets of the home front during World War II. It moved me with sweetness, humor, tragedy, love, and hope. The film's theme echoed through every scene. I loved how the camera passed people in crowd scenes, it paused briefly... read more to give ear to their individual lives as they spoke.

    And it was all so real. In this movie, there isn't that and-it-all-worked-out feel. People miss trains, romances cannot be fulfilled, triumphs are small and unglorified, loss is real, and expectations are not always fulfilled so grandly. The relationships are unique, not cliché, and very much like what you'd find in real life.

    Tears have never felt so wonderful when you are filled with inspiration and hope.
  • abricru
    April 2, 2008
    abricru
    I LOVE this movie. A great story from WWII days. Really tugs at the heartstrings. Hattie McDaniel and Agnes Moorehead have great parts.
  • nanoqna
    January 10, 2007
    nanoqna
    i saw this a logn time ago. claudette colbert is so cool! this is a long movie but its easy to get interested. joseph cotton is also the best part of the movie. and monty wooly is good. it makes me cry and it is realistic about the war i think. its such a good movie that talks ab... read moreout a stroy thats very familiar. people dont change. they dont make movies like this anymore.

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Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy
February 26, 2008
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

Selznick's schmaltzy tale of the heroic behavior of one "typical" American family during WWII boasts noble political values, but it's devoid of many artistic merits. Full Review

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
April 15, 2005
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

I cherished the film's three-hour running time because it gave me time to get to know these people, even love them a little. Full Review

Ken Hanke
November 20, 2003
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Beautifully made wartime drama with stellar cast.

Bob Bloom
August 13, 2002
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

World War II propaganda homefront schmaltz

July 23, 2008
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Bosley Crowther
March 25, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Nell Minow
November 12, 2004
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

No review available.

Carol Cling
October 31, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Derek Adams
February 9, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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