FlickFlick
Let There Be Light backdrop

Let There Be Light

1946·Documentary·58m
7.1
★
The final entry in a trilogy of films produced for the U.S. government by John Huston. Some returning combat veterans suffer scars that are more psychological than physical. This film follows patients and staff during their treatment. It deals with what would now be called PTSD, but at the time was categorised as psychoneurosis or shell-shock. Government officials deemed this 1946 film counterproductive to postwar efforts; it was not shown publicly until 1981.
Directed by John Huston
shell shock
IMDB
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
fuboTVMGM+ Amazon ChannelPhilo

Cast

Walter Huston
Walter Huston
Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Crew

John Huston
John Huston
Director
John Huston
John Huston
Writer
Charles Kaufman
Charles Kaufman
Writer
Dimitri Tiomkin
Dimitri Tiomkin
Original Music Composer

Popular Reviews

11 reviews
adri
adri
6.0★ · 03/19/26
Let There Be Light
ojalá hoy en dia tb curaran el ptsd con morfina
ojalá hoy en dia tb curaran el ptsd con morfina
Favorite
Comment
Medhansh Kaushik
Medhansh Kaushik
9.2★ · 03/28/25
Let There Be Light
This is the best of these set of documentaries.Good depiction of the aftereffects of war though the extent of truth is dubious given who commissioned these films.With this I have finally completed watching the documentaries which were made by the five who came back.
This is the best of these set of documentaries.Good depiction of the aftereffects of war though the extent of truth is dubious given who commissioned these films.With this I have finally completed watching the documentaries which were made by the five who came back.
Favorite
Comment
Medhansh
9.6★ · 03/28/25
Let There Be Light
This is the best of these set of documentaries.Good depiction of the aftereffects of war though the extent of truth is dubious given who commissioned these films.With this I have finally completed watching the documentaries which were made by the five who came back.
This is the best of these set of documentaries.Good depiction of the aftereffects of war though the extent of truth is dubious given who commissioned these films.With this I have finally completed watching the documentaries which were made by the five who came back.
Favorite
Comment
WilliamYummy
WilliamYummy
7.0★ · 03/10/25
Let There Be Light
do you ever have violent thoughts
do you ever have violent thoughts
Favorite
Comment
Tucker Clement
Tucker Clement
Let There Be Light
I know this is quite literally propaganda, but I really want to go to this magical hospital where they cure all your mental illnesses in 8 weeks

This was banned by the government for 35 years afterwards cause I guess they didn’t want to admit that soldiers had issues when they came home? But I’m glad the ban was lifted because this is a great slice of reality for the postwar vets.

I also liked how the hospital was desegregated and the doctors treated everyone as equals. Didn’t expect it.
I know this is quite literally propaganda, but I really want to go to this magical hospital where they cure all your mental illnesses in 8 weeks

This was banned by the government for 35 years afterwards cause I guess they didn’t want to admit that soldiers had issues when they came home? But I’m glad the ban was lifted because this is a great slice of reality for the postwar vets.

I also liked how the hospital was desegregated and the doctors treated everyone as equals. Didn’t expect it.
Favorite
Comment