Teresa

I recognized Pier Angeli from "Somebody Up There Likes Me" with Paul Newman, which is reminiscent of this film and John Ericson from "Rhapsody" with Elizabeth Taylor. In that film he does a wonderful job of playing a confident, returning G.I. and brilliant concert pianist who has other doubts. In this movie he's a self doubting child/man and she, a radiant child/woman who helps him grow up. Few films deal with so many human issues and frailties as well as this one does: civilians in war, soldiers' doubts and fears, the camaraderie of war, returning home, true love, family resentments, etc., etc. It combines the best elements of "The Best Years Of Our Lives" and "Battleground", but does the latter one better with none of the silly G.I. patter - a small film with an enormous heart. It also reminds me of "Hell to Eternity" (not "From Here To Eternity"), another forgotten movie gem which comes after this one, that deals with war and cross-cultural, family dilemmas. "Teresa" could have been made into three distinct movies - a trilogy - as we follow Teresa and Philip through their lives.