I lose it at the grave yard when George learns that his little brother died as a child because George wasn't there to save him. Thus the men on the transport all died because Harry wasn't there to save them. Then Clarence said, "George you really had a wonderful life. Don't you see how wrong it would be to throw it away?"
In his autobiography Mr Capra said "When I'm old and tired and scared of dying all I want is for people to say, 'That's the man who made It's Wonderful Life.' " Well, sir that IS what we say. You made a lot of great movies but this one stands out more than any other for me and a lot of people like me.
I watch it every year. I always cry at the end. My daughters watch it with me. I don't think they cry... but they always come over and hug me because I get so broken up. They don't know that I'm crying because I'm thinking about how blessed I am to have them.
Joseph Logsdon Yes, Carol Burnett nailed it when she said that scene in the bar where George Bailey was at the end of his rope was the best piece of acting ever on screen. You can really feel his anguish at that moment; it comes right off the screen and grabs you by the heart strings. Fantastic movie, fantastically acted and directed.
Or that telephone scene with Sam Wainwright and George tells Mary he doesn't want plastics or to be in on any ground floors. He wants to do what he wants and those doe eyes of Mary ranked his plans.
Me too... So I whispered into my boyfriend's here when I first met him I love you, today.. and he said it back (you should always tell someone when it's real)... And she knew as a little girl💁
Jimmy Stewart used his PTSD to really play this role. PTSD wasn't known at the time. He had not long been home from the war when he filmed this movie. He still had all the grief of seeing friends and the men that was under him die over France and Germany. Jimmy was a Wing Commander in the 8th Air Force. He was a B-24 Liberator pilot. He was a real hero. My favorite actor.
"However, the available evidence is indecisive on the question of whether Stewart was so acutely affected by the horrors of World War II that he suffered nightmares, anxiety, and traumatic memories that would, today, amount to a diagnosis of PTSD. And the available evidence points against any such condition being the reason that he was gradually withdrawn from combat missions."
@@drcornelius8275 ...that’s a very specific..interesting quote.However accurate or not it is still does not nullify that Mr Stewart suffered more or less from some form of PTSD,whether or not he was EVER discharged from carrying out combat duties.Was Mr Stewart discharched from the army due to an inability to complete combat missions?I would say not.This still does not preclude Mr Stewart from suffering SOME form of PTSD after his service.
@@cosmicman621 It's entirely possible he did. However, this doesn't make telling stories as fact about the man now based upon a dubious book that was put out in recent years with no fact checking or sourcing behind it. Now everyone repeats it because everyone repeats it. Reminds me of the mindless mobs we have that cling to their political bases now no matter what the truth is.
My favorite film! Watch it EVERY Christmas Eve. Choke up every time. My favorite part is when the realization hits George that he was in fact never born, Clarence says to him, “Strange isn’t it, each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” That’s the essence of the film right there: no one is born in vain.
My friend (in her 70s) was 12 when her mom died right after giving birth to her seventh baby. My friend was the oldest girl in the family so took on a sort of ‘mothering’ roll. Hard times for that grieving family. She loved Jimmy Stewart movies. In her adult years, she wrote to Mr. Stewart to thank him for the comfort his characters brought her. He wrote a beautiful note to her, appreciative to know he had some part in comforting her in all those sad & difficult years. That note, in Mr. Stewart’s handwriting, is framed & hung in her home, still bringing blessing & comfort all these years later. Jimmy Stewart is beautiful soul, a gift to humankind♥️
@@jeffreydavidconner No proof needed; I believe you have John Wayne's saddle. Yes, he and James Stewart were great in The Shootist. But you must see their co-star in the 1962 film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance--they both put in Oscar calibre performances.
@@jeffreydavidconner But in the film Liberty Valance, although John Wayne had met and courted his and Jimmy Stewart's crush first, when he realized she had fallen in love with Jimmy's idealist young lawyer character, gallantly John's ceded to "the better man" ... but later in the film in a drunken rage of regret, he burns down his ranch addition he had built for her.
Spot on Judge Julie. He is my favourite actor of all time! A truly decent human being, even his character in this movie - not a praying man but his moral compass was strong. Hollywood could use lessons from this man. RIP Mr. Stewart and thank you🙏🏻
i really like this 1 and i really like stalag 17 and sadly inever knew the name or ever had tha chance to resaw the movie but its a french movie that i loved more then those 2. also if you never saw the seven samuraie, das bridge.
One of the single greatest films ever made. I still watch it every year at least twice and I still cry when I watch it. Thank you, Mr. Capra and thank you, Mr. Stewart.
@@dave928 I think we all do except I believe James Stewart got his wings a long while back! You'll have to settle for 'a Clarence'... they're out there - I've seen two angel spirits in my lifetime and they are most certainly real! You can bet it all on that!
Yes, everyone raves about Jimmy Stewart's performance, and rightly so, but Donna Reed was perfect too as his wife. You can see the expressions on her face as she observes George going through all the ups and downs of his life. She was so beautiful and a joy to watch.
One of the most perfect chemistry pairings in the history of Cinema. Both are a joy to watch in this timeless classic. I love James Stewart's voice, perfect for an audio commentary.
@@wolfie8748I read an article a couple of years ago that pointed out how Mary Bailey was the true hero in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life”. She is always there to help him so that he can help others. From giving their Honeymoon money away to all those people to save the Building and Loan, to going all over getting the many donations at the end of the movie that saved him from going to jail and again, saved the Building and Loan! She was his hero!
It’s easy to forget the beginning after watching it and experiencing it.... but! My favorite is how everyone in town, young and old man and woman, are PRAYING for him. And because they are ALL praying for him when he needs it most, their prayers are answered and so are his!!!
the part in that movie that got me is when he was praying to God that he was not a praying man , but if you're up there and and you can hear me , show me the way , I'm at the end of my rope , Show me the way oh God . When you come to God like that , He will come to your aid , He will fix it for you . It do not matter what the problem is or how bad it is , HE will fix it . He is not too high in the heavens to come to the aid of his children , Amen .
Many men, women too came to Jesus Christ after praying to God to show them the way. When God shows up and they realize it, they surrender their lives to Christ. The book by Laura Hillebrand Unforgiven, was about that man in WW2 that had this very experience. I forgot his name. Read the book. Worth your time, just like watching this movie. God IS there for YOU, too.
I'm afraid I disagree. Not that God is too high to come to our aid but that fixing our problems is not always His goal. Even Sharach, Meshach and Abendnego knew that God might choose to let them burn in the furnace. He will work all things out for good but His good is not always what we think it means.
James Stewart was having PTSD after returning from WW2 as a pilot flying many bombing raids. When he did the bar scene and the bridge scene and in the guard house he was really processing his emotions post ww2. It was very cathartic for Jimmy Stewart. True emotion came thru.. One of my all time favorite actors ever!
Except he never talked about this in all his years of interviews.... it was written in a 2016 book.... guess it sold more books and duped people like you
My friend Kelly took a "Homes Of The Stars" bus tour through Hollywood in 1995. .... When the driver said "the house coming up on the right is the home of Jimmy Stewart," she looked and saw him on a ladder changing the the front porch light bulb. ... at the age of EIGHTY SEVEN!
Someone told me a story about meeting him. They said he was the most humble, amazing person. He never once talked about himself. He talked with them, asking questions about them and genuinely interested. They just happened to be walking by and he was outside his home.
In 1975, our Ohio high school, had a business oriented class, that got to go to California for a national competition. They took a “Homes of the Stars” bus tour. At Jimmy Stewart’s house, as well as others, they were allowed to get off the bus and take photos (the front of the house was a ‘show piece’ for any gardening magazine). Our Teacher asked the gardener if it would be ok if the class could pose for a picture in the driveway, as the trees and plantings in the yard would make the class picture look beautiful. The elderly gardener slowly got up off his knees from the flowerbed, removed his large straw gardening hat and said, “Well..., ya know, I... I... always thought that part of they yard,” pointing off to the side, “is more photogenic than the driveway.” Yep, Mr. Stewart took the time to take pictures with a bus load of strangers from Ohio. After some time taking picture taking, his wife stepped out the front door, calling him in. Class and dignity, honor and heroism. A - REAL - star and legend.
@@tracyross9554 WOW Tracy. ... The story I told was mildly interesting. ... Yours is an amazing scene from a movie! ... I feel proud and joyful that my little story inspired you to tell your HUGE one. ... From now on, when I get a notification from this post, I'm going back to the video to make sure that YOURS is always the highlighted reply . ... THANK YOU! .. (I love Jimmy so much you made me cry!)
Thank you for your reply/feedback Mark. My oldest brother recently passed away, he was in the “movie/tv” industry and was highly regarded and sought after as an reliable, honest and thorough accountant. His work allowed him to interact with some of the biggest tv and movie stars. Most are really good people, some are unbelievably generous and nice. Some... well, I just hope they’ll find their sole someday. But it seems that Jimmy Stewart was a unicorn... a myth, a legend. His service to our country, and his willingness to help charities with his celebrity are typical of his nature. Trying not to show my age, or brag, the only other famous people that I have personal information about their big heartedness are, Bob Hope and Red Skelton. There’s a reason there’s a difference between a star and a legend... It’s people like this.
First time I saw this movie I was in the 8th grade. At the time I was a knucklehead and got into a lot of trouble . My teacher Mr Schmidt brought the movie in one day and of course I had something negative to say when I saw it was a black and white movie. I said "here we go again" with another corny movie. As the movie played I had no choice but to watch it, and to my surprise I really enjoyed it. My teacher always tried to steer me in the right direction but I never listened. He told me what my destiny would be before it all happened. Unfortunately I never took his advice and was constantly in trouble, wasting a total of 6 years in prison. My late teens and early 20s, I spent behind bars. Nowadays I've been out of trouble for 18 years I have two children and I live a productive, positive life. Many times I felt like George Bailey when life wasn't going good for me, but I never gave up and stood on the positive path. Though it wasn't easy everything seemed to work its way out. Thank you Mr. Schmidt wherever you are, for caring, giving me great advice and showing me this wonderdul movie.
What a wonderful story of your life you just shared! So HAPPY your teacher showed this to your class and you were touched by it as so many millions have! So glad you have a good life now!! God Bless!!
My husband who never watched Christmas movies before we married now watches this with me every year. As hard to believe as itis, there are some that have never seen this movie. Their loss. One of the best movies ever made.
@@hiandrewfisher Wow, Oliver...YOU need to get a life! Oh, silly me, you were just trolling! ;~) The acting by MANY actors was tremendous...the casting was great. You proffer pedantic semantics about story arc. Do you not wonder why it became a classic? Do not movie viewer impressions over many decades matter? It was the favorite movie they made of Frank Capra, Jimmy Stewart, and Donna Reed, among others. AFI ranked it # 3 all time in the fantasy genre. Critics generally have been very positive about it.
@@hiandrewfisher I feel like you're the type of person to think Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is high art... It's okay to have a differing opinion (film is subjective, after all) but to say that it's a stupid and terrible screenplay!? Absolutely wrong. The pacing of the film, story set-up, and climax are all so (pun not intended) wonderful. It's a rare film where virtually every character (extras included) are memorable and all well acted. Everything just fits together beautifully. Frank Capra is regarded as one of the greatest golden age directors of all time. Jimmy Stewart is recognized as one of the greatest actors of all time too! You sound to me like you're a cynic. True, maybe this movie is TOO massively popular and over-hyped, but I think it actually deserves it. (akin to The Beatles in music, or Picasso in art) If you don't like it, that's fine, but it's nowhere near a stupid film. It's sophisticated, classy, and of a style no longer tried today. You have to remember, back in the 1940's Hollywood was deep in the Hayes code era. ALL films had to comply to essentially a G rating. It's A Wonderful Life complied while dealing with suicide, death, sex, etc - but all in a high brow way. The censorship of the time wasn't a hinderance but rather a creative limitation which propelled films to be better. They had to imply, they had to use innuendo, they had to use humor, drama was different. If you think It's A Wonderful Life is trash, I really wonder what your thoughts are on The Artist (2011-ish}? It's a "silent" film done in the old style but made recently. I think it really goes to show just what great heights can be achieved through keeping to older values, and intentionally limiting yourself. Nowadays, imho, CGI has made just about anything too convenient for directors. No longer do they have to work for special effects. Pull up a computer program, pay some animators for a couple of weeks, and you've got it. Hollywood had to be a lot more creative when they were more limited. So many films (this one included) brought about technical innovations just about every year. I think there's been a recent stagnation (or even regression) since the early 90's. Watch some more films of the era (1930s, 1940s, 1950s) and come back to It's A Wonderful Life some other time. Perhaps you'll appreciate it more. Don't be so stuck-up. It comes off like you're trying to be an edge-lord with how your belittling a universally beloved classic.
This isn’t just one of my favorite Christmas movies. This is one of my absolute favorite movies ever. My mother and I quote it. We have a Christmas clock, and when it chimes hark the herald we look at each other and say “oh George Bailey” and have done so now for a decade. Through hard times, times when we cry, we say it, to remind each other to have faith. We leave that clock up all year now. Jimmy Stewart in this is perfection. I cannot fully explain what this movies means to me. God bless all of you. No matter what you celebrate. No matter where you are in life. ❤️ bless you
I want to write stories like this. It has drama, action, humour, sorrow, a spiritual aspect and a happy ending. Those are the best type of stories in my estimation.
Today is the 26th of December, 2019. We watched this movie on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as we have for the last 70 years. I'm 78. I missed a couple of years when I was with the military in Asia, but I missed it, so did the other guys. Today is a bright, sunny day, but the movie goes back on the shelf for one more year and the magic is gone. I may be on borrowed time now, but I hope to see this movie many more times on that special day. In some ways, George is me - he is all of us. All the people in my family are here because of me. All the people they affect - thousands of them - are affected because I was born. We are all George Baily.
Thank you George. And Clarence. And if this day is difficult for you I understand. I'm dealing with major depressive disorder. And if you are having a hard day I send you a hug. Whoever you are.
I deal with major depressive disorder as well, and I'd like to both thank you for the virtual hug and return the favour as well. I hope you have a good holiday season this year. ❤
I don't know why, but I never saw this movie until 12/25/19, I knew it would be good, but I had no idea how great it would be. I watched it 3 times in a row and I'll now watch it as often as possible. What a wonderful movie!!!
It's Christmas Day and my family just got done watching this movie. We watch it every Christmas. Thank you Mr. Capra and thank you Mr. Stewart. May God Bless your souls, both of you.
For some reason every time I see the seen where his brother comes in at the end and says a toast to George and calls him "the richest man in town" I always loose it right there!
Should be required in every school in this country.... kids have no idea how people and this country were and how we were built. My family from my earliest memory were salt of the earth good like these characters. I was so lucky.... and I love this movie as much as ever!!
When you watch IAWL again, note how many emotions Jimmy Stewart delivers all in one movie (anger, envy, kindness, fear, joy, jealousy, lust, disbelief, despair, triumph, humor, courage, and taking responsibility for errors not your own). If timing had been different, he should have gotten a Best Actor Oscar here. The movie was not a box office bust as has long been suggested...but it was no smash hit either. I think that immediately post-war was simply unfortunate timing for its release. It is FAR BETTER than Capra's earlier, "You Can't Take It With You," which had won best picture for 1937 and also featured Jimmy Stewart, H.B. Warner, and Lionel Barrymore. Another all-time top 5 movie came out at the same time as IAWL: "Best Years Of Our Lives." That timing was unfortunate for IAWL to get noticed at the time. "Best Years" deserved the recognition it got-- it was a wonderful movie all-around. But the coincidental timing of these two movies demonstrates once again that awards and recognition depend greatly on the TIMING of a movie's release and what it is up against.
Just seeing that makes me cry. This movie is stunning. Beautiful. Heartfelt. It just isn't Christmas without seeing it, several times.. No one today could make a movie like this. This is a classic forever more.
This is one of my favorite movies. I've watched it so often I know most parts by heart. And I always cry at the end. Tears of joy and of happiness for seeing the world and our fellow men are indeed good.
The bar scene, isn’t all acting. A year before this scene he was flying bombing missions over Germany. He saw so much action, he came home with PTSD. Capra knew he could tap into this. Incredible artist. Quite a man.
The most touching meaningful film I’ve ever seen. Not to mention jimmy the old gentleman of the silver screen. There was no one like him or this movie. Thank you frank and jimmy and the entire cast. Thank you
Years ago around Christmastime I reconnected briefly via email with the first great love of my life. She reached out to me because she had been watching "It's A Wonderful Life" and she said, "George and Mary remind me of us and what we once had." It just about ripped my heart in half to hear her say that because she was right. This movie is just so powerful on so many levels for so many people.
I've seen this wonderful film almost every year for the last 50 years, and every time I see it, I tell myself that I'm NOT going to cry, and of course I do. It's my favourite movie of all time, and I never tire of watching it
This showed up in my feed today, I absolutely love Jimmy Stewart and all of his movies, it's a Wonderful Life is a classic I still watch a few times a year, great film. Jimmy's acting as always brilliant!!! He was a treasure to us all and always stayed humble. RIP Jimmy....
It's one of the most important films that EVERYONE should watch! It teaches that no matter how bad things can get, that there ARE people who love you, and without you, the world would not be the same. Now, with all that's going on, it's the perfect time to see this film.
This was one of the first roles Jimmy Stewart played after flying combat missions in WW2. You can sometimes see the emotional weariness in George Bailey's eyes.
This movie means more to me than any other! I saw it for the first time, at age 8, (many moons ago in the 1980’s) as I accidentally stumbled upon it on tv, during Christmas break from school. And ever since that moment, it has stayed with me, and will always be the greatest movie ever for me! Especially the end, when Harry says to George, that he is the richest man in town! Floodgate of tears every time! And i love those tears! And on a side note, i just want to say, “Heehaw!”
Mizer Mustard And you stuck with it! You stayed with the movie. Before the internet and mobile phones, people gave films and shows on television they thought might not be for them a chance. Besides, a lot of homes only had one television. (I recall a time when I was too lazy to get off the couch to change channels and so watched whatever was on). The worse thing about technology today is the way it can set you up to live in an entertainment rut.
With all of these wonderful comments, I just have to get my two cents in. James Stewart is (in my opinion) the best actor ever lived. Please 🙏 try to have a wonderful life, and a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
At 2:25, George's prayer from the depths of his despair...and in the background the light, cheery Italian song...what a move to give us that contrast - the song gives the prayer greater impact. It's that prayer that sets the whole story in motion. Whether are not we are "a praying" man or woman, we've all had those desperate moments and have uttered similar words to God, or whatever we imagine as God..."show me the way" Always find something new in this film.
One of the greatest movies “ever” made Jimmy Stewart was phenomenal, along with all the other great actors in this movie. No matter what happens in life everything happens for a reason & above all else having “Faith” in all that you do reflects upon your character that no matter what adversities you face”No man is a failure who has friends”!!!! Rip Jimmy you were a legendary actor who can never be duplicated “not Eva”!!!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹🍀🍀🍀👍👍👍👌👌👌
This is my favorite movie. This movie was made a year after World War II ended. Jimmy Stewart flew several bombing missions and was awarded some medals. A great actor and a war hero. I wish I could have met him.
Jimmy flew missions with the Eighth Air Force and risked his life alongside his fellow men. Totally humble and a real gentleman. There will never be other actors like those greats..... Stewart, Peck, Douglas, Heston etc.
The USA has this great Jimmy Stewart movie to be proud of, and GB has "Scrooge/A Christmas Carol" - with the inimitable Alistair Sim bringing Dickens famous character to memorable life. A pair of aces indeed!
It is absolutely wonderful to watch Its a Wonderful Life every Christmas season! It brings joy and tears to my eyes year in and year out. All the best and thank you Mr Capra and Mr Stewart!! Hope your both having a nice cocktail at Martini's Restaurant!!
I love this movie. I cry at the ending. It’s a Christmas tradition for me. It shows the value one has and the lives that are touched by each individual who do good for others
Background to this; Stewart returned home from WWII suffering from PTSD, not diagnosed at the time of course but examination of his contemporary behavior confirms the diagnosis. He was living with Henry Fonda at the time, who also was feeling the post war effects of his service in the navy in the Pacific( Stewart as we know flew heavy bombers in Europe). His diet was very poor, he couldn't keep down food and had lost a lot of weight. The offer of this part in Capra's film practically saved his life as well as his career.
There have only been 2 films I have ever cried during and this is one of them. And I cry every single time I watch it. This film has an inexplicable power over me and it has been that way for almost 50 years.
