The problem with war is that it brings "unexpected death" to civilians as well as soldiers.
My husband considers BYOOL depressing but I watch it every time it airs (and actually have it on DVD). I'm watching Mrs. Miniver right now for the first time in years. I've usually avoided it since I remember it being too sentimental for me. My favorite WWII film is actually
Journey for Margaret
which ends a little differently than the book but was based on a real child's story.

I really disliked Mrs. Miniver. I found it understandably contrived, a propaganda film where character development was a laugh. It's "Downton Abbey" to a "T" (including the unexpected death of one major character, when the death of almost every other major character would be more likely). If this film had been about Mr. Ballard, or about a poor family in a non-air-conditioned bunker, I am positive I would have liked it. But the first twenty minutes are devoted to the purchase of an expensive hat and an expensive car. This film isn't even remotely in the same league as TBYOOL in its depiction of suffering.

Definitely the Best years of Our Lives. I love Mrs. Miniver, but the sense of realism of TBYOOL is amazing. The cinematography is amazing. TBYOOL has some wonderful and compelling secondary characters, like Hoagy Carmichael and Gladys George. It has so many fine touches, like the scene with the isolationist at the lunch counter.
Greer Garson vs Myrna Loy that's a close one! Such a conundrum!

Just watched 'Mrs. Miniver', but I've seen 'The Best Years of Our Lives' several times. They are both fine films and can both be considered 'propaganda' movies delivering important messages to the public; however, I prefer Mrs. Miniver, as I think some of "The Best Years of Our Lives' is a bit maudlin (still a good picture).
"What do you want me to do, draw a picture? Spell it out!"

The Best Years of Our Lives.
"The flip side of fear is understanding."

The Best Years of Our Lives.
If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world

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I will go with Mrs. Miniver. Dame May Whitty making the difference. I think she did a great job objecting to Teresa being too young and giving the cup to Henry. The fact that it was made during the war trumps anyone's argument about it being too dramatic. Extremely tough choice, but I take Greer Garson over Myrna Loy even though I love Myrna.

Keep in mind that the two films are quite different and really cannot be compared as films of the same genre. As entertainment vehicles, I much preferred TBYoOL. Mrs. was a bit too "Hollywood manufactured" for me. Wyler had learned a lot in 4 years.
Remember When Movies Didn't Have To Be Politically Correct?

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I think that both movies are wonderful and I loved everything (the story, the acting, the message etc.) in both but I enjoyed TbYooL more. I can't really say why, I really love them both, it's just a feeling.

I like them both equally and think of them as "bookend" observations of Wyler about the War, the beginning and the end.

Isn't that kind of like comparing apples to oranges? I think the only two similarities here are family and an actress. One is pre/during war, the other post war. The styles are different as is the writing.
Anyway, I'm just not sure which I like better because of the differences. I liked Mrs. Miniver because it showed the horrors of living at home in England during the war. I liked The Best Years of our Lives because it showed how the war affected them emotionally afterward.

Personally, I don't think there's any contest. TBYOOL is superior in every respect.
But I admit I might feel differently if I were British.
"What I got don't need pearls." Linda Darnell (1923-65)

Best Years of Our Lives, hands down. A much more touching and inspirational story. Mrs. Miniver's ending is contrived and rushed.

I prefer The Best Years of Our Lives. It was more interesting and felt more realistic. I didn't mind Mrs. Miniver, but I didn't care about the characters at all.
I just blue myself.

Agreed!
I love both movies (William Wyler is one of my favorite directors), but my vote goes to
The Best Years of Our Lives
. It's my second favorite movie, after
It's a Wonderful Life
.

I agreewhile Mrs. Miniver is an excellent film, The Best Years of Our Lives is an even better one. Frederic March's performance (among many other great ones in the latter) is one for the ages. Unforgettable.

While both films are excellent in their own way, I would give the nod to BYOOL. It develops a storyline following 3 completely different, flawed, typical American families. Miniver, by contrast, is very much a single storyline. BYOOL meshes the 3 storylines, sometimes purposely bruisingly, and results in something that is rare from Hollywood; a film about average (and even white trash) that is compelling and entertaining. Miniver was far more a typical vehicle of the time. Again, both are indeed excellent.
Remember When Movies Didn't Have To Be Politically Correct?

'The Best Years of Our Lives', hands down. Even Bette Davis said it was the best movie ever made in Hollywood, according to TCM's Robert Osborne.