Two dudes cry watching *IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE* (First time watching reaction) 

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One of my favorite bits of trivia. Donna Reed was able to break that window by herself. They hired a marksman to shoot out the window, but it turns out she played baseball in high school and was able to break the glass by herself.

The only thing better than crying at this movie over and over again through the years, is watching younger people crying at it for the first time. To be so heart-warming without being cheesy and remain relatable and touching over 70 years later.....damn, it is a wonderful life.

“He’s like a bartender, except he’s doing milkshakes!” The name for this job was “soda jerk”. In addition to making milkshakes, they were also responsible for using the contemporary equivalent of a SodaStream to mix sodas for customers. The machine had a prominent lever that they would have to pull over and over throughout the day, hence: soda jerk. (I suspect this is also where the term “soft drink” evolved: soda jerks sell soft drinks; bartenders sell hard drinks.)

Saw it myself for the first time yesterday. Expected a soppy story full of sentimental stuff, got a hard hitting social drama with genuine emotion.

It's hard to be as earnest as George in this cynical world. The fact that he's still able to touch us means that we're not totally lost, though.

Stewart was suffering from PTSD after serving as a bomber pilot in WWII. This was his first role after the war. Not related to movies, but you really should check out his military record. Ultimately, he attainted the rank of brigadier general in the Air Force. Knowing what he went through in the war really adds to his performance. It’s as much about recovering from PTSD as Christmas. ✌️

This is one of those movies that _NEVER_ lose their potency. If anything, it’s gets better every time. Seriously. It’s perfect.

I have always found fascinating the fact that George resists the inevitability of Mary so hard. I think that he knows that she is The One for him, ever since that walk after the dance. But, she represents staying tied down in Bedford Falls, and he is fighting that thought just as hard as hooking up with her. He takes that first step in committing to the town by giving Harry and Ruth his blessing and throwing away the brochures, but he is bitter over having to do so. He tries to escape the inevitable by inviting Violet to walk in nature with him instead, but she is just not that kind of a girl. (Can you imagine her reaction if she had been dancing with George and ended up in the pool? She would have started shrieking over her dress being ruined, and definitely wouldn’t have continued dancing with him in the pool like Mary did.) He tries one last time to fight against the inevitable by resisting Mary up until he just can’t deny their love any more. That phone call is just amazing to watch!

“I believe there's a hero in all of us that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams.” -Aunt May

When they were filming the scene at the building & loan after the bank run, Capra told the one woman to say “$17.50” instead of “$20” but didn’t tell Stewart, and his impulsive kiss in response was a genuine surprise to both of them!

It needs to be said, “It’s a Wonderful Life” might just be the greatest movie ever made.

This movie is a holiday masterpiece. I don’t know for sure, but I don’t remember a lot of movies back around this time really delving into the idea of depression and suicide like this did, especially around the holidays, and that’s probably why it was a box office bomb when it released. However, its really got one of the most uplifting and tearjerking endings I’ve ever seen, seeing George go from drunk, in complete despair, and ready to take his own life to rejoicing in the fact that he’ll get arrested if it means he’s alive and still made a difference in his time on Earth. And yeah, it never ceases to choke me up seeing everyone he ever helped coming to his aid, him hugging his family, his brother proclaiming him to be the richest man in town, and Clarence saying “thanks for the wings.” Thanks for watching one of my favorite Christmas movies!

Fun fact: The "swim gym" where their dance floor opens up over a swimming pool is an actual location not a set. That swim gym is still operational at Beverly Hills High School in California.

Showed this movie to my boyfriend for his first ever viewing this year!! Everyone that has ever been discouraged (everyone that's ever lived) should receive this message. Happy holidays, Nice Dudes!!

Just hit me like a freight train: George's wish at the beginning (twice) is "I wish I had a million dollars." The final plot point is him literally getting a ton of money dumped on his table, and his brother declaring him "the richest man in town." Now, that's obviously referring to his friendships with the people who he's always supported and now get the chance to support him, but I can't believe it never occurred to me that George's flippant childhood wish gets fulfilled in the best way possible. This script gets tighter every time I come back to it.

God, what a remarkable work of art. Frank Capra and James Stewart were one of the great actor/director partnerships of the 20th century. And the prayer scene is one of the most heartbreakingly realistic pieces of acting I've EVER seen.

That’s one of my favorite holiday films! The story of how one man can impact an entire town! Thanks for watching this guys, enjoyed it!

Mary Bailey is a certified boss. Everything she wanted, she made happen. She wanted to marry George Bailey, she got that ring. She wanted to live in the Granville house and have lots of babies, she did. I pity anyone who tries to thwart Mrs. Mary Bailey.

Every time a critic laughs an angel gets its wings.

This was considered an unimportant nothing of a movie initially. It built its legacy over time by playing on TV every Chistmas season and people coming to see just how beautiful it really is. This movie isn't just worth watching at Christmastime; everyone should watch it at least once in their lives, no matter what time of year.

I know it's incredibly easy to view this movie with the modern, pessimistic, real-life perspective lens. But hot damn.. this film is the literal embodiment of "movie magic". Shot in 1945, there's no stopping Capra from filming it like a fairytale. Love when filmmakers aren't afraid of tackling real life subjects with a magical approach to it. The Angels in the beginning, the use of freeze-frame for expository dialogue, wishes being granted. Love, love, love it!

Fun fact. ...the Muppets, Bert and Ernie, are named after the cop and taxi driver in this movie! Great reaction!

I don't know how many times I've seen this movie or watched people react to this movie. It NEVER fails to make me cry. Beautiful reaction.

It's amazing that this movie wasn't successful when it first came out but it became a classic as time went on.

Every time someone watches this movie, an angel gets his wings

It's okay to cry. This movie will make you cry more and more every time you watch it. Easily one of THE greatest films of all-time.

This is one of *THE* films. A classic of unfathomable quality.

Just watched this with my family. I cry every time. There's one detail I wanted to point out, I don't know if you guys saw it, during one of the scenes at the building & loan when they are in trouble, George looks at his Dad's framed picture on the wall, and the quote underneath reads "All you can take with you is that which you've given away." George gave away his hearing in one ear, he gave away his dreams of travel and constructing bridges, etc etc, what a wonderful movie, Merry Christmas!

This is a move that is easy to feel cynical about sometimes but it always packs an emotional punch. No matter how many times I've seen it, this movie always manages to Un-Grinch me and chases away the bah humbugs. Now where are my tissues?

There's no price you can set upon REAL friendship. Helping others achieve their dreams because you care about them. And having them return the favor when you're in need. That is more than all the riches in the world. I rewatched this movie for Christmas and I just started bawling because a month ago I had to have bypass surgery. I have never been so frightened. But my friends found out and all of their kind words gave me the courage & strength to get through.

Since you kept pointing out the quality of the composition of the shots, I need to point out that Frank Capra was nominated for Best Director 6 times, including this one. He won for “It Happened One Night”, “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and “You Can’t Take it With You”. Most of his 55 other films are worth looking for.

The fact that you cried just means you have a heart buddy! Keep up the great videos and Merry Christmas!

During the scene where Mr. Gower slaps George, H.B. Warner (the actor who plays Mr. Gower) was actually drunk for real during the take. Warner actually hit Robert Anderson (the kid actor who plays young George) and caused his ear to bleed for real. After he finished the scene, Warner comforted and hugged Anderson.

22:06 Meanwhile, in “real life” Jimmy Stewart was a decorated bomber pilot during WWII. IAWL was his first film after the war. BTW, this is the best reaction I’ve ever seen to IAWL-and I’ve seen them all! Kudos, gentlemen!

Time to cry!! Excited to share the experience!!!!

That's the beauty of black-and-white. You can't do these things with color; it just doesn't work. The starkness is impossible to replicate.

34:32 - I never noticed the time on the clock as he runs up the stairs - about 5 minutes until midnight. So, by the time he hugs his kids and then Mary...when the whole town comes pouring into the house...IT'S CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas! Y'all have a little George Bailey in you too. Never forget that in your own way that, as reactors, y'all bring a little laughter and joy to people who might need just one simple moment of laughter or a smile to help them get through the day.

It never fails, I cry every time I watch this movie. Definitely one of my all time favorites.

Somebody once said that working in B&W makes a director better at composition and cinematography, because lighting is the only color to work with.

Wonderful reaction to an amazing movie. I’m so happy you kept the scene in where George is praying in the bar, I think it’s one of the best acted scenes in ANY movie, you feel the brokenness and despair emanating off of him. Merry Christmas & happy new year🎄

Just saw this movie on a big screen two days ago, like every December 22nd in my city. After the movie, while we are all still crying, they give us hot chocolate, cake and hot wine. The theatre have more and more people every year, all ages. My favourite xmas tradition with my favourite actor ever.

Thank you for loving this movie and recognizing George's wonderful journey! If you're wondering what happened with Mr. Potter, there's a deleted scene where he dies of a heart attack during the Collection scene. It was cut because it was too mean spirited. I still consider it canon (and a little head canon that the investigators found the check and sued the Potter Residence.) Edit: 14:34 Mary's Mom wanted her to get married to Sam because he was going places. He was a successful and well-traveled businessman. George wasn't. He was the guy who had too big dreams that were never realized, leading a small business that would never grow despite being the cornerstone of their community. 15:25 If you're confused about what's happening, this incident takes place on October 24, 1929. AKA The Wall Street Crash. That's why the Banks were closing up and calling all the loans. It's also one of the ways Mr. Potter got his hands on the town in the Bad Future. By buying out everyone's loans and shares, he had total control over their businesses, especially since the Loan Business would have closed up by then. 16:15 The cops, I don't think were sent by Mr. Potter fro that particular effect. They were probably called by the bank to control the riots. It was indeed that bad. 20:00 I don't think George hated Sam. He was jealous. Sam had and was everything George wanted: a successful business, the ability to travel, and fine education. Sam's obnoxious. But not on purpose. He considers George a close friends and cares about him . I don't think he would have donated $25K (35:30)(which, adjusted for inflation, is worth over $400K today!) just for an old acquaintance. Also, don't question aging techniques before 1960. It's bad form and offends sensitivities. 29:50 When you consider it, this scene (and at 19:28) demonstrates a deeper kindness and clarity of George and Mary's character. Mr. Martini, judging by his accent and broken English, is probably a first-generation Italian immigrant, a minority that suffered greatly from discrimination. The Potter Slums were normal housing for them. But not only was he approved for a loan, he was able to own a successful business, own a home in a non segregated neighborhood (before MLK JR!), and suffers no racism from ANYONE in town. Compare to the Bad Future, where his bar is now Americanized and he most likely works in a factory or some other drudgery work like many others of his circumstances. 34:50 28:00 I'm just saving this timestamp for whenever I want to feel whole feels :) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Trust me, i cry not only every time i watch the movie, but every time i watch the heavily edited reaction of others watching it. It's so beautiful, so true and such a legitimately good movie that it can't be avoided.

I felt lost all throughout my 20s. I left college because I didn’t really know what I wanted to do and just started working a full-time retail job. I recently went back to school, and sometimes I feel like I wasted so much time, but then I stop and remember how things always seem to happen exactly when they’re meant to. And we shouldn’t feel like we wasted our lives if we’ve been good to others and paid it forward, even in the smallest of ways. As a cashier, I would say little prayers/blessings for customers who made my day simply by being kind. A friendly “Hello!” or “Good morning/afternoon/evening!” and just genuine niceness went/goes a long way in my book because I’m the type to appreciate the little things in life. Anyway, just an example of how you might not think you are making an impact on those around you, but you are! Trust me. Every once in a while, I remember the kind customers and still wish them the best.

Two bits of trivia I know about this movie: the falling snow at the beginning is Corn Flakes :) And the scene where George is talking to a tipsy Uncle Billy? Billy leaves and George turns back to the house, then there's a giant crash off screen and Billy shouts, "I'm all right! I'm allllllright!" and George smiles? *Well* what happened was a stagehand knocked over a pile of props as they were filming and Thomas Mitchell covered for him with his quick response! Jimmy Stewart's amusement was genuine and the director thought it was so funny it became part of the movie 😂

A few years back I found one of my old elementary school teachers on Facebook, probably about 35 years after she was my teacher. She was also my older brother's teacher 5 years before that. When I chatted her I wasn't sure if she'd remembered who we were. She responded with, "Of COURSE I remember you! You and your family were the only ones in my whole teaching career that ever invited me over to their home for dinner." Every time I watch this movie now I remember that. It wasn't a big thing for my Mom to invite someone over for dinner - but it meant so much to my teacher that she remembered it 35 years later, and never forgot about us because of it. While these are huge sacrifices by George depicted in the movie, it's astonishing just how little effort it actually takes to make someone else's day just a tiny bit better. It's easy to forget (just as George does, and even the audience does) how impactful moments of generosity actually are - but, as the film shows, the people you're generous to almost never forget.

oh, man, i'll never get tired of people reacting to this movie. Jimmy Stewart was brilliant. What a movie! Thanks, guys!

They don’t make ‘em like they used to 😂

What I love most about Harry is that he never squandered George's sacrifice for him

Boys, I only discovered your channel a few weeks ago - and you can't imagine how I'm grinning over seeing you react to this timeless classic! To see how you broke down when the town comes together for George Bailey really does restore a little faith in humanity - and we ALL need that right now. Thanks again for a great review!

Every Frank Capra movie I’ve seen, and I think I’ve seen them all, has at least one scene that has a major emotional impact. He was truly a genius filmmaker. The whole point of art is to move people, to get them to think and feel. Few people did that better than Frank Capra.

There is a scene in a bar where Jimmy Stewart loses it. While filming, the director, Frank Capra, asked Jimmy to get into the mood of loss. He remembered all of his friends and crew mates lost in WWII and really did break down. Usually when doing a scene like that, you shoot wide and then reshoot a closeup. Jimmy couldn't replicate the scene so Capra artificially blew up the wide shot to a closer view though not really a closeup. Moving scene. That's where I always cry.

Lionel Barrymore, who plays Mr. Potter, is the granduncle of Drew Barrymore.

GREAT REACTION!! This is my all-time FAVORITE Christmas movie! I NEVER get tired of watching it. No matter how good or how bad my person circumstances may be at the time I watch this movie, it helps me put my life and the whatever is going on in it, into proper perspective. I really enjoyed your insights and comments about it. I look forward to seeing more of your reaction videos!

A truly nice dudes Christmas. Brought some joy and reflection to this grumpy old fool with this reaction. I've hated this movie for a lot of years(im 40 by the way) and not because it's a bad movie but because I couldn't see the happiness in front of me. You helped the grinches heart grow 3 sizes this year. Merry Christmas, and many great videos to come. Signed Appreciated Viewer

I've seen this movie a hundred times and every time the basket of money is revealed at the end and the towns people show up, I still lose it. We understand your tears, friends. This movie is just good.

Merry Christmas, thanks for watching this with us all today!

I usually don't like "upbeat" and talkative reactions, especially to meaningful movies like this but I absolutely loved this one! You two guys clearly care for each other, both have a great heart and can appreciate the little things that make life joyful. Much love from Germany!

I love how much you both appreciated this. The human experience doesn't change, regardless of how the world around us changes. Thank you for showing your feels, happy holidays, and best wishes for an excellent new year to you both and to everyone who reads this.

Dudes…. Crying along with you through the experience of this WONDERFUL MOVIE was so cathartic. Thanks for sharing your emotional vulnerability, brothers

It’s hard to believe that this movie actually flopped at the box office. It didn’t become as beloved as it is now until the 1970’s - 1993 when it was played on every tv station from Thanksgiving until Christmas, due to the studio losing the rights to the movie because they didn’t renew them. The studio got the rights back in 1993.

A testament of how good this film is that you are learning the names of all the characters in the film and speaking of them as if you'd known them all your lives. this film is so special. Side notes: When George comes back into the town and looks at the movie theatre, the film, "The Bells Of St Mary's" can be seen on the canopy. Henry Travers who played Clarence also played Henry P Bogardus in Bells Of St Mary's which came out the year before It's A Wonderful life. When Harry Baily calls George, "the richest man in town", the line is not about the money he's been given but the love and appreciation of the people he helped over the years.

i saw this movie for the first time on Christmas Eve. the scene where he comes to the broken down home, and her and his friends turned it into a honeymoon suite broke me to tears... it's an incredible story.

It's no hyperbole to say that it's one of the greatest films ever made. It's virtually perfect in every aspect. James Stewart and Donna Reed are pure magic together and NOBODY could play sheer desperation like Stewart. It also contains a collection of some of the greatest character actors ever in film: Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Beulah Bondi, Henry Travers as Clarence, Samuel S. Hinds, Frank Faylen, Ward Bond, and H.B. Warner as Mr. Gower who had starred as Christ in Cecil B. DeMille's 1927 "King Of Kings" and who's final film was DeMille's 1956 "The Ten Commandments". These actors are a history of Hollywood. I really hope you'll try more Frank Capra films. You'd love ALL his work!

I've been watching this movie for over 40 years and it still makes me cry. I think it is one of the best movies ever! The cast, cinematography, music, scenes are so perfect. a couple of little facts you may not know, The main street in Bedford Falls is actually the small town of Niagara on The Lake in Ontario(I've read someone said it was a set it definitely isn't), when uncle Billy leaves the house drunk and you think he crashed into garbage cans it was actually a crew member who dropped a large tray of props and Uncle Billy just went with it and they kept it in. So many people really don't get the fact it's not just his(your) life that's wonderful but how his (your) life touches so many other people in ways you may never know. I've watched so many people watching this the past couple of days and you guys are the first who got the WHOLE MEANING!! The way the two of you reacted was making me cry. What sweet, smart, young men you both are! I hope whom ever you find to share your life with is just as sweet as you. God bless you both and I hope you will continue to watch this movie from now on.

This movie should be mandatory to watch every Christmas to remind us what's really important in life! Great job Clarence.😉

The "freckle-faced kid" who opened up the floor at the high school dance was Carl Switzer, who was Alfalfa in the original Little Rascals films.

A fantastic film in so many ways, the direction/cinematography, script, performances. My wife got so ground down by the misfortunes George suffers she nearly stopped watching it before the end! (I made her finish it, for which she is now grateful) The film really stands the test of time.

OK, Altaf getting embarrassed for crying at the 38 minute mark has to be the most hilarious and endearing reaction I've seen to a movie ever! Good job, dudes! Subscribed.

Nothing like an old classic to really hammer your heart in the best of ways. It can be difficult to get people to watch this one for the first time, due to it being an older film, but I have yet to meet a single person who has anything bad to say about it. If ever there was a perfect movie, this would probably be it.

I tear up every time the town comes in with the money.

If you want to see another Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart masterpiece, check out "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington".

Every year, without fail, must watch for everyone, it’s like a full reset to not give up on life, YOU MATTER! YOU ARE IMPORTANT!!! YOU ARE LOVED!!!

I can't believe I just realized that the guy playing the freckled kid in the dance scene played Alfalfa in the Little Rascals.

Two of my other favorite Jimmy Stewart movies are Harvey, and The Glenn Miller Story. I think you would absolutely love and enjoy both. He has a huge body of work, so much of it is classic perfection, but those 2 are close to my heart.

This movie makes me cry every time I watch it, and I cried right along with you. Starting from the scene where George says, “Please God, I want to live again” I become a sopping mess. It really does make you appreciate the people you have in your life and reminds you never to take anything for granted.

My favorite reference to this movie in pop culture (and there's a lot) is on Cheers when they're watching this movie in the cold open of one of their Christmas episodes. They're all talking about how unrealistic this movie is - Norm (a former accountant) says that when the books come due the whole town does not come running to help you out. Then they get to the end of the movie and everyone in the bar is crying their eyes out but pretending that it's not from the movie ("I think I have something in my eye."

This is a staple movie in my life. Enjoy🎉 If you DONT cry at this movie….well… you see humanity can be beautiful even in our darkest hour. Much love to you both.

1. Scrooge (1951 version with Alastair Sim) 2. It's A Wonderful Life 3. A Christmas Story. Honourable mention: A Christmas Carol (1971 animated version with Alastair Sim voicing Scrooge) - Really creative, hand drawn cartoon. You can't replicate any of that with CG. The best CG movie I ever saw was the Rescuers Down Under, which was 2D CG, as opposed to Toy Story, a 3D CG movie.

Your reaction is exactly the reaction that everyone should have!

I was lucky enough to see this movie on film, in a little movie theater with a group of people on a cold Christmas Eve. It reduced me to tears. It's really such a wonderful movie that really does crystalize what I think is the reason for the season which is to be a good person to your fellow human and that even personal failure can bring new joy.

Just to let you know. The actor that plays Mr . Potter is Drew Barrymore's granduncle.

I love seeing people react to this movie for the first time. It's so heartwarming to see how it touches people even today!

36:55 similar to A Christmas Carol, instead of a mean old guy learning to appreciate his blessings, it’s the best of men learning to appreciate the greatness of an ordinary life and that all the generosity of spirit he freely shared with those around him impacted his world more greatly than he ever imagined, more greatly than if he’d ever traveled the world.

In my humble opinion the last 20-25 mins of this movie are the best ever put to film. Perfection

When George is joyously running past the restored movie theater, you can see on the marquee that "The Bells of St. Mary's" is playing. This was a bit of an in-joke, as Henry Travers (Clarence) also appeared in that movie.

I've seen this movie probably over 100 times. And I cry every time!

I love seeing the antagonism between George and Potter. Potter sees the competition of the Baileys and their building & loan on one level, but what what really gets him is seeing George surpass his father in elevating the people of the town with Bailey Park. His first instinct is to buy George off with the job offer. George’s rejection, combined with the insult of “a frustrated old man,” starts to gnaw at him, and the next decade of continued success of the Bailey ventures, and George’s rise in stature in the town over Potter’s, is eating him alive. OTOH, George just continues to stay nose to the grindstone and can’t get past the day to day struggle of just trying to keep everything afloat to even notice that he has that stature that his father had and more.

I've never seen this movie before but I'm glad to watch it with you guys! Merry Christmas dudes Happy New Year!

"How is Mr. Potter still alive after all these years?!" Spite. Plain ol' Spite.

I loved seeing how much this film touched you both! I've seen it numerous times and it always makes me cry! There's a good reason it has become a beloved classic and a film that's enjoyed during the holidays each year! It's one of the best films in cinematic history!

Now you see where Robert Zemeckis got inspiration for the dystopian alternate 1985 in Back to the Future part 2.

Jimmy Stewart went to WW2 as a fighter pilot and had not done a movie since 1941. He had PTS afterwards and did not think he would act again. They got him to do this film and all of the emotions that are in it were channeled by his trauma in the war. He lost many friends and was a wreck, but his performance is outstanding

My absolute favorite Christmas movie and possibly my favorite movie overall. Like you guys said at the end, it really is about having that all important perspective. Seeing what we HAVE and not focusing on what we don't have. What you look for is what you find, and if you look for blessings you'll find them. And yeah, when i try to talk about the message in this movie I get all choked up and struggle not to weep because it's just so perfect. You got my thumbs up and my sub for this. Rock on, Nice Dudes. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your stuff. 🙂

Uncle Billy is an eccentric…. That is why you see him with the crow and squirrel…. Tying string on his fingers to help him remember things (they didn’t have post-it-notes back then). Eccentric’s are colorful characters we meet in life that make it sooo rich. But for some reason that is lost in generations born after 1980…..there is no room for the occasional odd duck, which is a shame.

Again another brilliant review on a classic film, love how you appreciate old school filming. Now for a true fact, I've watched this movie every year since 1987, and still cry at the end and even more so when that bell rings. Keep the reviews coming

Both James Stewart and the movie’s director Frank Capra were going through the same thing as George. Both had enlisted during the war (even though Capra was considered too old to serve), and they felt like their service hadn’t mattered or made any difference. Stewart was actually considering quitting acting when he was cast as George, and was still considering it during filming. Now, even though the movie didn’t perform well at the box office, it’s become a modern classic.

That freckled kid at the dance was once Alfalfa from "our gang" and " the little rascals"