The reason this movie flopped when it first came out was because it wasn't originally intended to be a Christmas movie and the Christmas elements are just incidental. It wasn't even released around Christmas. It did so poorly that no one bothered to keep up the copyright and it went into the public domain fairly quickly. After that a lot of TV stations started playing it around Christmas and that's why it became a Christmas classic. It's kind of funny how the movie follows the same trajectory as its main character. At first it gets a raw deal but then it gets a last-minute save.

George Bailey's character developed more in thirty minutes than Rey's did in three hundred.

It’s an inversion of A Christmas Carol. Scrooge helped nobody and didn’t want to die, while George helped everyone and didn’t want to live. An angel gave both of them a new outlook on life, at a gravestone, covered in snow…

The Drinker: "If this doesn't bring a tear to your eye..." Me: "Hell, I'm getting teary eye'd just listening to you describe the scene!"

“Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn’t there to save them because you weren’t there to save Harry”...that line even after hearing it a hundred times still hits me like a Mac truck.

"The richest man in town." It took me becoming an adult to understand he wasn't talking about money.

My Dad cries every year we watch this. His life plan was thrown off with the death of his father at 18, being the only son at home he had to stay back and take care of his mother who was on the spectrum. He put himself through the local college. I think this movie speaks to him more than most.

They don't make them like Donna Reed anymore. What a class act beauty!

I have the feeling that our current society is the one where George Bailey was never born. Can we have him back please?

The lesson I take from that movie is this: George never got a chance to do great things, but he did a million small things that accumulated over time into something great. Everyone's life has an impact, and we ourselves don't always see the impact we have. We can't all be the hero. Some of us have to be the supporting characters who help the heroes become heroes. George was the ultimate supporting character in the story of life.

One thing that always gets me. When George comes back to his home and yells at his kids... its actually kind of funny initially. The contrast between his deep cynicism and his kids innocent optimism almost makes me laugh. But then, as he starts to tightly hug his daughter and can barely hold back the tears, the scene instantly but seemlessly becomes much darker. By the time he starts kicking over furniture, all humor is gone. That scene just slays me everytime. A masterpiece in writing, acting and cinematography.

Everytime Harry says, "To my big brother George: The Richest Man in Town!" I always cheer while a tear hits my eye.

Amazon precedes this film with a trigger warning. "Foul language, violence and drug use" What? What new Hell are we living in?

When I learned that James Stewart was suffering from PTSD due to his time in WWII & wasn’t “acting” in some of the scenes, it gave me a new appreciation to this film

A wonderful life isn't just a Christmas movie, it's the Christmas movie. It's the promise of hope in the darkest and coldest hour. It's to see the glory just beyond the veil of your misery. The magic hidden in the mundane. It's both simplistic and yet as deep as one can go. Its heart, true, and its wonderful

Him running through the town and yelling, “MERRY CHRISTMAS!!” To everyone, even his very worst enemies, is where the waterworks start and I cannot stop especially after Harry says, “to my big brother George, the richest man in town!” Truly a masterful buildup and payoff to the point that my emotions cannot take much more.

See, Kathleen Kennedy, that's called "character development". Something you still haven't got yet.

Jimmy Stewart, unlike most Hollywood stars, was a combat veteran: he served in the USAAF during WWII, piloting a B-24 (corrected - I originally wrote "B-17") out of England in some of the most dangerous missions of the war. He came back home with a bad case of what we would now call PTSD. I can't help but think that his performance was shaped by his experiences during the war. And when he prays "Let me live again! Dear God, let me live again!", I can't help but think that he was praying for all those men, his friends and comrades, who were killed before his eyes - men who just wanted to live. Of all the scenes in all the movies I've seen over the last seven decades, that moment for me is the most powerful.

Mary is the true hero of this movie. It’s her idea to use the honeymoon money to save the business. She completely remodels the house almost completely on her own while raising four kids, it’s seeing her without him alone and sad that finally gets through to him, and she saves the day at the end by telling the town what’s happening and getting them to help. She’s the best, and I’m not just saying that because I played her in a production last year. I only add this because you didn’t mention her at all, but Mary truly is the reason he has as good of a life as he does. That being said George Bailey is such a wonderfully complex and well developed character and Jimmy Stewart’s performance really makes it the classic that it is

>someone mentions "Its a Wonderful Life" >i start crying like a child

KZfaq says: "Every time a Drinker drinks, an angel gets his wings."

I cried just watching THIS. Whoever hasn't seen this movie, don't miss it.

Best line in the whole movie: *"To my big brother George, the richest man in town"*

This movie hits me deeper and deeper as I age, not only with the story, but the acting and filming. I notice more with the story each time, like the uncle used to drive me nuts with his silly finger strings, weird animals, and so on. Then we get a hint at his character when George's life starts to collapse: He's actually a widower, who hasn't even entered rooms in his own house since his wife passed, and gets comforted by those animals. I can't be mad at him anymore. I feel sad. George and his wife, turning down money for goodness multiple times, and you don't pick up on all of the moments at once, but over time. And you realize that it's his wife's support that has helped him do the right thing over the years. Through the downs, she has helped bring him back up. George is able to press on, until he loses all hope and his wife (faintly) doesn't show support (because she doesn't support his current actions, but she still supports George). But it's the moment, in his extremely sensitive and vulnerable state, where George begins actually consider giving up. What was first perceived as somewhat over acting, I now see it as more pure, terrific acting. James Stewart was terrific. And what's even better, they used filming to compliment the scenes. The initial look at the bank run and him running against the crowd... George running at the camera realizing that he actually doesn't exist anymore... the bar scene... him attempting to leave the bank and loan before the board says he needs to take over... such simple filming moments that embrace the moment just as much as the actors: not any more, not any less, just right. I used to only cry at the end. Now I cry at the pharmacist scene. At the phone call scene. At the bar scene. When he first comes home to his family before he considers suicide, and watching his slow, emotional breakdown with the angel. Simple. No fluff. Just a simple, great story, with simple, great filming, with simple, great acting, with simple and affective effects. This one hits me.

"...well, it truly IS a wonderful life." Oh, you soppy old boozer, you.

Fun Fact: This was Jimmy Stewart’s first movie role after coming back from bombing the shit out of Nazi Germany for over two years. By 1946 Jimmy Stewart had risen from Private to Colonel in the US Army Air Force; commanded a bomber group; flown over 20 combat missions including many that he did not have to go on; received a chest full of medals including the Croix de Guerre and Distinguished Service Medal; and was respected by men and officers alike for his cool and friendly demeanour, skill both in piloting and command, and fairness and generosity. All around Jimmy Stewart is one the most badass, kindest, and genuinely good people in Hollywood history.

I'm now 56 and I "made" my children watch this movie every Christmas Eve since about 2000. Even though we'd gone from a VHS tape to colourised Blu Ray, I always find something enlightening every time I watch it. The Drinker often talks about pacing, and I find the pacing perfect in this film. Well, it's Christmas Eve here in Australia and it's now just my wife and I watching it and it's still a brilliant film. Happy Christmas everyone 🎄

I know Christmas is passed and the video is years old at this point but, fuck it. I had the pleasure of seeing this movie for the first time at my local theatre this Christmas with my mother who also had managed to never see it in six and a half decades of life. This was exactly the movie I needed to see after the year I had. Miserable work, watching dad relapse into using drugs again after surgery, watching my friends get married while I can't even get a date, losing a good majority of my other friends, failing at my college major courses for a third semester despite my best efforts. It really had me down and considering doing the worst to myself. But after seeing this movie I was incredibly moved, and I walked out of the theater with the same lesson George got and I had a new perspective on life and a new appreciation for what I have as opposed to what I missed out on. When we got outside my mother, and I hugged and said we loved each other. It was a magical experience that I was very lucky to have and will never forget.

“Good movies are timeless.” Good story telling is timeless, period. Not stories choked by agenda politics, data analysis or what ever is trending at this particular moment.

I ugly cry once every year. It's when I watch this movie around Christmas time.

Even this quick summary is getting me all teary.

"If it doesn't bring a tear to your eye, then I suspect movies really aren't your thing" I've been sobbing for the last five minutes!

So here is a story for you: it's 18.12.2020, 02.00 a.m. here in Romania and my second daughter, Emilia, is to be born in a few hours, as planed by the doctor. My wife and i couldnt sleep and thats when i saw this recomandation from "my drunked scotish movie critic". So we decided to watch the movie. It was a beautiful movie that we would had never got to see if it wasnt for you. We laught and cryed and had a great time. And now we have a nice story to tell our kid, about the day she was born. We thank you, my dear drunken scotish movie critic!

The part that hits hardest for me is one of the elements that drove him to suicide which is the loneliness and helplessness he felt over the missing money. He was 100% certain that all his friends, all the people he sacrificed for over the years, either couldn't or wouldn't help him. What drove him to crawl to Potter was the fear that the moment the missing money went public everyone would scream "Scandal!" and hang George out to dry without a backwards glance. This is a very genuine fear that resonates with me because it's one that I struggle with as well. As a kid I had the misfortune of experiencing George's fears become reality, in a way. Suffice to say, I hit some low points and my "friends" at the time didn't hesitate to double-cross me. Now as an adult I am haunted by the nagging doubt over whether my current friends will try to help me if I hit a crisis or abandon me. This is why the ending is so beautiful to me as everyone proves George wrong and rallies to him. My favorite bit is a comment Uncle Billy makes, saying that when they started recruiting people to gather money, they didn't even ask any questions. All it took was for them to say that George was in trouble to spur them into action. Such a beautiful movie...

The story is actually set (sort of) in Western NY. Bedford Falls is inspired by Seneca Falls, NY.

The local theater had It's a Wonderful Life this week with three showings. All showings were sold out.

I wish they could make Movies like this again. Not overly Stupid, cynical or political, just honest and genuinely opitmistic movies that do not make you want to kill yourself. Man, we really need that kind of Movies these days.

Imagine a time in movie history when a single, simple line of dialog was this powerful. "Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn’t there to save them, because you weren’t there to save Harry."

Stewart had PTSD from his service in WWII. Some of the emotional scenes were more real than him just being a good actor.

That’s something I didn’t realize, actually- Potter tells George that he’s more valuable dead than alive, right? And while he’s obviously suffering a lot of psychological stress, is it at all possible that he rationalized his decision to jump as the last selfless act he’ll ever do? After all, it’d be hard to prove he died via self-termination, and even if you could, would that void his life insurance? He may have been thinking “at least I can help everyone, this way. At least they’ll have the money to pay for my mistake.” This is actually really sobering and depressing, but also moving :/ This movie really doesn’t get enough props.

"To my big brother, George: the richest man in town." This line gets me EVERY time, no matter how many times. Going through the journey of George Bailey, to have such symbolism expressed at the final moments of the film is absolute genius!

Says a lot that most would rather watch this Christmas masterpiece than almost 85% of the Garbage givin us in our day!

I watched this movie for the first time this year's christmas. I knew it was a christmas classic but never watched it because I thought it was some cheesy old movie. When I finally got to see it, I thought it was the best movie I've watched in 2020. Tearing up again watching this video man. God bless you all.

My all time favourite movie. There is nothing in modern cinema that comes even close to this.

Clarence's parting words, "Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends." is a very powerful line and a great lesson from this classic.

FUN FACT: James Stewart was suffering from PTSD from his time in the Air Force during the war, which you can feel in the character.

I’m named after George Bailey because my parents love his character so much. A truly perfect movie.

A lot of the negative comment about this film down the years has focused on its being "sentimental". Watch it again. It isn't sentimental in the least. It's optimistic. But it also has a firm grasp on real human nature. George's breakdown is painfully real because for a brief moment he stops being heroic and becomes his own worst nightmare. Stewart was the perfect choice for the part and I think it's his best performance ever. Thanks, Drinker.

When a 1940's movie had more depth than most movies today.

But Drinker this film is far to optimistic for the modern day, I mean there's no diversity, everybody's grey and it shows the unnatural horror of a heterosexual relationship, they even have kids 😱😱

I put this movie on for my kids one afternoon before Christmas last year. I hadn’t seen it in probably about 20 years, not since I was a teenager, and my memory of it was as a simple, feel-good Christmas movie. Seeing it for the first time as an adult with nearly grown children, I was absolutely blown away at how deep, how powerful, how incredible the movie is. Every scene works toward the conclusion and serves the story. It takes its audience seriously and doesn’t treat them like children. And anyone who has lived any amount of time as an adult can emphasize with George Bailey. And it’s so incredibly satisfying. It is a flat out amazing film.

Watch the scene on the train platform. The tight framing on Jimmy Stewart's face as he processes the full impact of Harry's marriage and new job is incredible. From shock to resignation to forced good humor - George Bailey can't help putting others first, even as his dreams are dying in front of his eyes.

It's a Wonderful Life isn't a Christmas movie, it's THE Christmas movie.

Jimmy Stewart was a fucking legend. This movie is saturated in humanity, and will hit home for many of us in a way modern cinema can't or won't. Absolutely amazing movie. Jimmy Stewart was contesting with his wartime experiences, and when you watch him break it's from a man that has really been to the edge. Ironically, the villain of the movie provided significant moral support for Jimmy who was disillusioned with acting after returning from war.

I'm a year late to this video, but not only is Drinker spot on with his analysis. I want to point out that his wife Mary is a great example of a feminine hero. She's George's rock and support through the entire film and is the one who put in motion the huge playoff at the end with the entire town.

As wonderful as Frederick March was in "The Best Years of our Lives" the Oscar, that year, belonged to Jimmy Stewart.

This review is one of the reason you are far more credible than all these other pretentious film critics in our media. It's not everyday we are reminded that our lives have purpose even if we think we are failures. We won't have a perfectly happy life but they are meaningful whether we can see it or not. Merry Christmas and please watch this movie!

This movie has even more depth when you know the backstory of both Frank Capra and Jimmy Stewart. Both men were quite successful in Hollywood before the war. And both men joined the war of their own volition. Stewart, by 1942, could have been exempt due to his age as well as his physical fitness, but he was an honor-driven man. He repeatedly tried to enlist even when his own studio went behind his back and worked against him. But Stewart, already a licensed pilot, got into the Army Air Corps. At first, they planned to just use him making propaganda or instructional films, but Stewart wouldn't have it. He wanted to serve. He eventually got into a combat unit and was stationed in the UK flying B-24s. And he was a good officer, rising to operations officer. The war took a toll on him, though. He almost certainly had what we now call PTSD. While flying bombers may not sound all that stressful (if you don't know much about it), it really was horrific. Long hours flying in below-zero temperatures, faced with the ever-present threat of enemy fighters and anti-aircraft artillery (flak), not to mention the fact that you're carrying several thousand pounds of high explosives. Do that twenty or thirty times and it will change you. There are pictures that compare Stewart from when he enlisted in 1945 and when he returned home in 1945 ... it was only 3 years but he aged 20. Anyway, Frank Capra was heavily involved in producing films for the war effort. He devoted himself to the "Why We Fight" series and others. After the war, both Capra and Stewart were considered has-beens. Neither could really get good work. Unlike most of the Hollywood people, both men had seen plenty of war and so they wanted nothing to do with making war pictures anymore. "It's a Wonderful Life" was a healing film for both men. Stewart remained in the Army Air Force as a reservist and later in the Air Force ... he'd retire as a Brigadier General. And he definitely flew at least one combat mission in Vietnam.

Drinker, just watched this for the first time ever today. This movie brought me to tears and Jimmy Stewart was phenomenal. From the disappointment and sacrifices he made, his constant drive to help others, and his actions to try and do the right thing, it speaks volumes about him. seeing him breakdown, pray, and end holding his family with a smile when his friends pour in was such a great emotional payoff.

There's a long dinner scene with George and his Dad and their maid Annie that never gets much attention, but the Dad is SUCH a great actor - everything about that scene is authentic and human. It's such a heavy conversation, and Annie is used perfectly to give it light.

Jimmy Stewart had been a Bomber Pilot with the 8th Air Force, he apparently channelled his PTSD into his performance. A genuine hero.

"You see, if you didn't exist, your town would be full of bars and strip clubs. AND YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GO."

This review is becoming a yearly tradition.

"To my big brother George, the richest man in town" makes me weep. Even just thinking about it makes me start crying. It's a perfect moment. The only other moments that always get me is when Atreyu says "You're my friend, I love you" when trying to save his horse in 'The Neverending Story', and when Rocky says "Yo Adrian! I did it!" in 'ROCKY II'.

Won't lie, hearing Drinker highly recommend a classic such as It's a Wonderful Life gives me a sense of bliss. My opinion, recommending a classic such as this is very respectful, and tells me Drinker REALLY does care about films.

This is by far the drinker's kindest "go away" I've ever heard. It's a Christmas miracle!

Seeing the drinker talk about movies hes passionate about brings a warm feeling to my heart.

One of my top-5 favorite movies of all time. Still is after 50 years. You are right, this is a gem of a movie that has a timeless message and sober morality that is nearly extinct in Hollywood now. Yes, the woke crowd would never dare to make a film like this. They could never write a script that depicts God as existing and that he actually cares about his creation let alone a man that prays.

Life can be hard, and no one asks for pain or disappointment. But everyone matters to someone, and we should try to remember that year round, not just at Christmas.

The ear slapping. The day he became an adult, and saved Mr Gower,s life.

Always loved the Married With Children episode where Al, thru Sam Kinison as his guardian angel, discovers his family would have been better without him. So he resolves to stay alive and keep making them miserable. :-D

There’s so much honest emotion in this film that watching someone’s reaction to it would be a reasonable substitute for a Voight-Kampff test. And a psychopath test, too.

When men can cry: their mother's passing, their spouse's passing, and watching It's a Wonderful Life. From one broken man to another, Merry Christmas Jimmy S.

"All you can take with you is that which you've given away." -- Quote under Peter Bailey's picture. it summarized the feel and point of the entire movie George gave his future, his passions, his talent away for the sake of the people of the town. Drinker, you have given away a shit ton of great content, and we thank ye for it! Hats off to you, good sir!.

Man I love to hear about the Drinker talk about movies he loves. Its so refreshing from the rest of movie critics.

A movie based around self reflection, appreciation, friends, humility and love of not only yourself but family isn't something that's beloved in our woke society that tells us these things are evil.

Just thinking about the story made me cry. Modern cinema can't compare.

It's a Wonderful Life holds a special place in my heart...if only because my Grandma and her two brothers(at the time) were in it for about 5 minutes of screen time. They weren't even suppose to be in the film, they got the pick of the draw because the original cast never showed up.

I didn't watch It's a Wonderful Life for the first time until my mid-30s and grieve a little bit knowing now how great of a masterpiece I was missing out on. The upside is that an adult who has been through some stuff can understand and deeply feel all the pain, anguish, and despair that Bailey portrays. I've seen it half a dozen times since that first viewing only 2 years ago and have been brought to tears each and every time.

To me, Donna Reed in this movie is a feminine ideal.

As a jaded middle aged man, I cry once a year watching this movie

This is one of those seemingly goofy movies where the more manlier you are, the more it warms your heart and brings a tear to your eye.

I needed this right now. Thanks Drinker.

One of the nice touches is when George, anxious to leave for college, is talking with his father who points out that working in the Building and Loan and helping people realize their simple dreams is as worthwhile as all the big plans George has. He doesn't listen at the time, but the movie's message is spelled out right there. Through the course of the movie, we do see George take joy in his smaller accomplishments as they happen, but then he'll get reminded of his big dreams.

Those who down voted this..."Go Away Now"

Another great review, Drinker. One of the most disturbingly powerful scenes in this movie is when George comes home after learning his uncle lost their money. That is one of the rawest outbursts of rage I think I've ever seen in a movie. Apparently, from what I've read, Stewart tapped his PTSD from his combat experience in WW2. Whatever it was, he struck something deep and primal in that scene.

A Wonderful review, drinker. The scene whereas Steward is crying at the bar was out of focus so Frank Capra asked Steward to do it again but Jimmy said “I can’t “ Therefore Capra stayed up all night and somehow fixed the focus. A truly Wonderful film

Drinker, you charismatic and erudite son of Bacchus, who knew you were such a softie at heart?😂👍 Merry Christmas sir!

I wasn't the biggest fan of this movie when I was a child, and I remember being so annoyed with my parents watching it once a year at Christmas. As I grew older, I became more and more fond of the movie. My father passed away in 2010, and every year since then I have watched this with my own family as it has grown over the years. George Bailey's character always reminded me of my father. He always did what needed to be done, even when it was hard and I don't think he realized how many lives he touched and made better while he was alive. This is now my favorite movie. Thank you for talking about it and bringing all the attention to it that it deserves.

Jimmy Stewart delivers one of the greatest performances. A true beauty!

I literally just watched this movie for the first time at my wife’s request. We watched it three nights ago, for her it was like the 1000th time she watched it. For me it was having my eyes opened to a classic that I regret not having watched many years ago. The acting by James Stewart was out of this world. The look in his eyes after the $8000 goes missing is perfect and the tension from that moment on is impalpable. I really loved this movie and will be watching it for Christmas every year. God bless and merry Christmas.

This is one of the 9 movies a man is allowed to cry when watching every time

Another interesting thing about this movie is the fact that it doesn't feel the need to make old man Potter get some sort of comeuppance. It allows Potter to get away with what he did without feeling the need to cheapen George's story by shoehorning in a gotcha moment. Maybe the human heart years for some sort of closure knowing a skunk like Potter would get his due, but the important part of the story is George's redemption so it leaves Potter's story out of it. I can imagine a studio today would insist there be a scene showing Potter finally getting what's coming to him ... but I'm glad the actual movie lacks that.

I’ve seen every Frank Capra movie. He was a major genius. Every one of his movies has a special spark and at least one “payoff” scene that makes my whole body tingle. It’s a Wonderful Life is off the charts great.

i never thought i’d feel uplifted after a drinker video

I'm cold hearted and dead inside. This movie still gets me every time.

Guess we are in the timeline where he didn't exist.

Not just one of my favourite Christmas movies. One of my favourite movies period.

Damn... The scene with his brother's grave gets me every time. Also, this movie saved my life more than once ❤

It's a classic film, when Clarence is talking to George about his suicide attempt and that you need to acknowledge the good he's done, i honestly teared up