Although the Winter segment is one of the shortest vignettes, the film is still considered a favorite Christmas movie.In particular, the event emphasized how life was cruel, and he "horrible" and "inescapable truth" that death was everywhere:Dr.This RKO film, directed by John Cromwell, was mostly known because Bette Davis"" star-making, over-the-top, theatrical performance was passed over for a Best Actress Oscar nomination, although she was an unofficial write-in candidate.Eighteen years ago, I left a girl so like your lovely wife to go to war...She was my wife.Have you ever heard of Kurgaal? It is a prison below Amsk...Many men have gone there.Few have returned.I have returned.After fifteen years, I have returned.Werdegast is returning home after 18 years - 3 years at war, and 15 years in the Kurgaal prison.As Werdegast explains his return from the Russian prison camp, he sits forward, his eyes glare, and his tortured face grows taut.Must be the change of altitude - the blood rushes o their head or something - boy I could tell you stories.