The history behind “It’s a Wonderful Life” and why it continues to be a Christmas classic 

To my brother George. The richest man in town. Tears just flow.

The it’s a wonderful life is greatest Christmas movie in history

Ashleigh! Beans must be so proud of her Mama!

The film was made post WWII and the message all our lives matter, we matter, is something we still need today. It’s been a rough 2 years…

It’s is a one of the most famous classic movie for Christmas especially in our time now. Example of living with dignity , trust and love.

That’s the problem with some people’s thinking, if I’m not famous, I’m nothing. Everybody can’t be famous but you can be important in the lives you touch, the difference you make. Even in the mundane the everyday.

There’s Ashleigh! She is so awesome at watching a movie with her full attention and really looked pst the age of the movie to understand the meaning of the story. 💓

I watch this every year

Thank you so much for interviewing my girl Ashleigh Burton for this! She’s my favorite person on RU-vid and it was actually this movie that brought me to her channel. I was looking for a reactor to watch it with. She may be young but she gets it, why a movie like this is so beloved. And it’s true, the ending is what pulls everything together and makes us cry. I even teared up watching the clips on this video! It’s my all-time favorite for a reason, and you guys captured why it’s so special.

Hi, yes, hello!!! Shoutout to Beans and Parker, and Merry Christmas to all!!! : D

I just already watched it! Ive never seen it before. How incredible is that a movie from the 40s made me cry so hard. This movie has so much perfection: acting, directing, ia "dickensian" story and the most happier perfect ending that I ever seen. It think this is the "king" of Christmas movies.

Waited over half my life to watch this. But I haven't missed it once in over 20 years since. I don't even try stop the tears

I love it so. I've watched it for 40 years now at Christmas time. Beautiful sentiment. 🤲🏽

Who's here because of Ashleigh? Raise your hands. This film is probably the greatest of all time. No matter who you are, this film should resonate with you in some way. I'm sure we all have thought at some point, "do I matter?"

Absolutely a major treasure of a postwar United States. So many people seldom see this and countless other classic films from the 1920s-upward. And Frank Capra is such a creative, ingenious director.

I’ve seen it probably 100 times. Cry every time. Best Holiday movie EVER! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone!

Watched it twice this weekend. MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅 🎄.

Because the line "Do you know how long it takes a working man to save $5,000?" Is still applicable today.

We are "all" so interconnected. Change one thing -- and everything changes. Just by virtue of us being here, makes us "all" have a role to play in how things turn out.

one of the best messages in a movie and a forever timeless masterpiece

I just finished watching It's a Wonderful Life💜🧡🎄

I truly hope this movie continues to inspire future generations. We need more George Baileys in this world. Character, honor, soul.

I feel as if I was among the first group to rediscover this movie in the early 1970's. Though it was praised and even Oscar-nominated on release, it was, as this report says, soon forgotten and fell into obscurity. I was a movie buff even as a kid in the late 1960's, and knew of Frank Capra from late-night TV viewings (no TCM back then, no DVD's or even videos) of It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, but I had never seen or even heard of It's A Wonderful Life. Then in 1970 PBS ran a series hosted by film critic Richard Schickel, "The Men Who Made The Movies," each episode focusing on the work of a specific director. When the episode on Capra came up, it concluded with clips and commentary on this film. I was intrigued and wondered why I had never heard of it. Not long after, the 25-year copyright on it expired and, with the film now in the public domain, TV stations began to show it. I immediately watched it and was hooked. Within a year or two, everyone was calling this their Favorite Movie Ever.

Ashleigh😄!!!

Donna Reed... Absolutely gorgeous ❤️❤️

People need to stop judging a movie just because it’s in black and white. All these wonderful works of art are misjudged and often not given a chance because people shallowly think they have nothing to offer.

The best Xmas movie ever...and I watch it every year!!!

As a millennial myself I think it’s pretty sad that millennial had never seen it before 😂 best movie ever. Best line in the movie is a line that is written and unspoken: when George looks at the picture of his father on the day of the crash it says under it “all you can take with you is that which you’ve given away” and that’s really the whole movie 💕

I never grow tired of it. Just saw it in the theater for this first time this year. Totally cried.

My family and I watch this every Christmas Eve night! So beautiful! 😃

Among many of the reasons, one might be that most guys who watch this fall in love with Donna Reed...But I see that stark and dark lightning on Stewart's face when runs to the camera with just enough detail in those shadows. A whole book could be written about the filming of this. It's just as dramatic a look as Citizen Kane.

This is STILL my favorite Christmas movie. In some ways it's timeless, but you know when Potter refers to the newly immigrating Italians as "garlic eaters" that says we've come a long way.

a whole classic. A film that should not be missed at Christmas to revive the love for those around you.

ASHLEIGH!

I watch It's a Wonderful Life as a Christmas Eve tradition every year. I watch this movie as a reminder to appreciate the life I have and not spend too much time thinking "If only". Life may not always turn out the way you hoped, but there is so much you can do with the life you have. The message is so pure it will always stand the test of time. One of my absolute favorite movies!

Beautiful movie! Almost everyone wants to see the world! But it is okay to live in a small town. And have great relationships with family and friends 💝

It’s not Christmas until I watch It’s a Wonderful Life….

Yes, absolutely 75 years from now, we will still watch this incomparable classic...in all of its black and white glory too!

Legendary History!!!! AND Jimmy Stewart. My AF Wing Commander, Dobbins AFB.😪

I think I watched it 4 times this Christmas!!

Frank Capra was my grandmother’s brother. That make him my great uncle

Merry Christmas to you all 💝

I absolutely LOVE this movie!!! I miss when back in the day after the Thanksgiving Day Parade either this or Miracle On 34th Street would come on right after. I miss that 😞

MERRY 🎄 CHRISTMAS

To quote an old cliche: "George Bailey is a Pillar of the Community." Bedford Falls, just up the road from "Frostbite Falls.";)

My favorite Christmas movie of all time!!

Thank you for the highlights to both this phenomenal movie and the interview with Ashleigh Burton from Millennial Movie Monday! I love her and this movie!

Always tears, it never fails, and I will ALWAYS LOVE THIS MOVIE…..

Nice to see obligatory mention of the annual local IAWL celebrations in my old hometown of Seneca "Real Bedford" Falls, NY. (Supposedly, Capra wanted to visit his relatives in Auburn NY, stopped through town for a haircut, and heard the story of the local hero who dove off the iron bridge to save a drowning victim...)

ASHLEIGH!!! You go girl 😊

Way to go Ashleigh!!!!!

Best movie EVER!

I’ve been watching this movie every Christmas for the last 51 years! It’s a timeless classic!

That’s my best friend!!! Ashleigh Burton is the GOAT!

Ashleigh Burton brought me here.

Yay it's Ashleigh! Hot Mess Express rolling into the station!!!

Cool, there is Ashleigh, love watching her experience great movies. Good luck Ashleigh, we are all counting on you.

This is a tear jerker for sure😭

Love, love this Movie.been watching it over and over for 50 years

My *ALL* time favorite Christmas 🎄 movie!! Love the story of George Bailey!!🥰 ...as for Elf and a Christmas Story - Michelle, I just saw them both for the 1st time last year 2020 (I'm in my 50s. The movie'swere 'ok'. I prefer the other classics)

I haven't seen it on the past few years, so I've been getting it at the library..Its a must at the Holidays..a beautiful story, and I love Capra's directing..

I've never seen it. I guess I'll watch it tonight.

completely agree...this movie is a such a gem, a treasure. I just watched the It's a Wonderful Life radio play at the St. Paul Theater and it's was OUTSTANDING! Got emotional at the end.

I love this movie, but I know a few people who hate this movie. I will alway love this movie, it's a eye opening about life. Its makes be grateful.

I always wondered ... if its not a Christmas movie... why are their trees and lights all over.. and why do they sing Aul Lang Syne at the end? LOVE this movie.

Donna Reed was so gorgeous. 💕

My favorite Christmas Movie

Absolutely love this movie, beautiful message indeeed👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

Loved the last comment " in dark times and bright times". just like the ending of this beautiful movie. Thank you !

My MOST FAVORITE movie….EVER!!!

Every American citizen should be required to watch this film.

This is the first Christmas I didn’t watch it. Love the movie and has become a tradition to watch it every Christmas

Ashleigh!!! Huzzah!!! Dedicated watcher!!!

I haven’t even seen the movie and I’m getting emotional already.

I always cry when I watch this movie!

🙈🙉🙊🙏❤ Our Christmas Tradition 🎄 Watching It's A Wonderful Life Together and Midnight Mass.

More Ashleigh Burton, please!

Indiana Pennsylvania birthplace of Jimmy Stewart is the inspiration

"Please God, let me live again" 💙 Watch this every year. 💕

Such a wonderful movie. ❤

Ashleigh! Go Ashleigh!!!!!

My favorite movie

We watch this movie as a family every Christmas Eve. Btw, just finished Downton Abbey tv series and the end they series with the cast singing Auld Lang Syne as well. How about that?

This is the first movie I’ve ever seen where the villain, didn’t get punished for his crime at the end of the movie. Mr. Potter hid the money from the Bailey Business and Loan Company and he got away with it. Nevertheless this movie is, for most people an enduring favorite! And the good guys still won in the end. 👼👏

Rochester NY is mentioned in the movie and that's near Seneca Falls.

Here for Ashleigh!

As a tail end member of the WW 2 Generation, my view is that the first theater audiences had just emerged from the Great Depression and a murderous war that claimed the lives of tens of millions. For most, it was hard to sidestep reality, feelings and embrace the schmaltz. Thank goodness for the willingness of our B17 pilot Gen. James Stewart in embracing the role.

Frank Capra was a brilliant director… This movie was released right after WWII and I think all American could relate in someway to George Bailey and still can in the world were living in today!!!!

It's a Christmas movie because Christmas is an end of year celebration. A moment for reflection. The Winter Solstice happens on December 25th. The shortest day of the year. The Pagans set their sights on that day to reflect. Darkness comes early. But each day after that gets a little bit longer. A little bit lighter longer. A new year is beckoning with new possibilities. George Bailey in one moment only sees that darkness. He forgets that the light is coming. Then his perspective is altered. He wants his life back. Why? Because even with all the problems at that moment he realizes all that he has to be thankful for. To live for. His wife. His children. His friends. The sun. The snow. The cold. Being alive is better than the alternative. So that is what he chooses. Early Christians chose this Pagan celebration to be their savior's birthday for a reason. To them he was the light in all of the darkness. His birth would symbolize that. The new year. The new possibilities. John 8:12 : "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world . Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life"

The best Christmas movie ever ❤️

Timeless

May💙 God💜 Be 💛With 💚Everyone💛 Always💚 Much💚 Love Blessings💜 Always ✌ 💯 🌈 🎇 🌐 ❤💙💙💜💜💜💛💛💛

It was its years in the public domain when it was shown on virtually every local television station that resurrected the movie into the classic. NBC/Universal has killed it.

❤

When does it go back into public domain so that it plays on every channel again during Christmas?

It was a great movie.

I went to a wedding in Geneva, and went to the It’s a Wonderful Life Museum . Full of movie artifacts and stories including the cigar lifter. I have an ornament signed by Ms Grimes as well. There is however a REAL story about the bridge, wether Capra knew that story ,I don’t know . It happened April 12, 1917, where a young woman jumped, a gentleman saved her life but died himself.

ashleigh burton has great fun youtube channel. great classic movie. namaste blessings to all.

Ashleigh!!! Lol

Oh so we're going to forget the fact that Drew Barrymore's uncle stole the money and never returned it?!