"well in my book he died a much richer man than you'll ever be" Such an amazing line from Jimmy Stewart

"Do you know how hard it takes a hard working man to save $5000?". Rings true to this day

J. Stewart poured his heart and soul into this film and his performance is utterly perfect. if you disagree, I respect your opinion but you're wrong.

Man I love this scene and movie. George is so human. Imperfect, flawed but unmatched character. He is the hero of an unsung people. This is one of the greatest movies of all time

I love how perfectly imperfect this is. This is a heavy topic but it's delivered with the naturalness of an everyman: no stirring music rising in the background, no perfectly rehearsed delivery. I love the stammer at 0:52 that underscores the tone, I love falter in George's voice, the trailing off of his ideas. This is a man sharing his thoughts in a moment of passion, not a politician delivering a speech, not professor with a lecture. It feels real.

The Best Years of our lives is a masterpiece that won many Oscar but James Stewart was the real Best actor of 1946 for Its a wonderful life.

This was first movie Jimmy Stewart did when he came back from WWII...I always felt his war experience impacted his performance in this movie....almost as if he was funneling the emotions from that experience into his portrayal of George Bailey...this is one the scenes where it really shines through.

"My father died a more richer man than you will ever be." Love that quote

Great scene. A confused George Bailey contemplating his decisions. Does not care much for the buisness, he agrees his father was not the best buisnessman. But he will not stand by and let anyone attack his fathers character. It is in that moment he relaizes how important the family business is to the community. Very powerful scene. And probably leads to the climax.

One of the greatest scenes of all time... Jimmy Stewart is brilliant. And yes, this is so relevant to politics today it hurts.

I love this speech and Jimmy's character's morals. So much so that I named my daughter "Bailey" after him.

George Bailey, American super-hero of the working & middle classes that have always been the heart of this great nation, gives the speech of a lifetime--the best cinematic capture ever of America's original working and middle-class values. The FBI was clearly confused (if indeed they looked on the film as anti-capitalist in any way). Especially unforgettable: George notes that his customers are the people who "do the working, paying, living and dying"--the absolute truth. Despite his father's inability to grow the nonetheless vital small business, George brilliantly defends his father's character and how he helped so many--because--character matters!!! The rise of the greatest middle class the world ever knew was accompanied by home ownership, and George hits the historic nail on the head when he asks the board: "doesn't it make them better customers, doesn't it make them better citizens?" We all know the answer. George is about his working and middle-class community, which--with growing home ownership, became more prosperous through the decades. And in the end, George makes one last plea for capitalist competition: the little Building and Loan must be allowed to persist, so that Big Monopoly Capital can't force them all back down into poverty! Folks, we'll never have another movie like this one, to say nothing of the final scenes, which marks it as the greatest Christmas movie of all time, never to be surpassed...

Jimmy's rants are the best. His characters are usually naive, sweet, "golly-gee-wiz" and so on--but when it counts, he lauches into a powerful, passionate speach filled with energy and enthusiasm--and then he takes a breather, and sheepishly mutters a cute little "Oh, I-I...I said too much, I know, I know...."

Love when he calls Potter “a warped, frustrated old man.” Potter was one of those guys who loved when the market tanked so that everybody would go out of business and he could buy up the town for pennies on the dollar.

George Bailey's words still echo true to this day

People are not numbers. A timeless message.

This is strangely (and sadly) timeless, being even more relevant in the current day and age than ever before.

what i love about this scene is how he constantly stutters and interrupts himself. nobody irl comes up with a perfect speech on the spot and immediately presents it flawlessly.

One of the finest and moving speeches in movie history. Real feeling, and motivating logic

The best political statement of the 20th century.

I didn’t watch this movie until my girlfriend told me about it but now it’s my favorite movie

You have to love Jimmy Stewart's rants in his movies! Thats what makes him famous as well as his talent.

God I love this movie

I love the portrait of his father hovering over his shoulder the whole time.

Still true today. Every word.

This is one of the best speeches in a movie, ever. It took me a long time to actually appreciate this movie, but now that I'm a little older, I think it's a great film.

A great expression of that beautiful flash-in-the-pan idealism and appreciation for the working man that the New Deal brought to this country. It’s light has gone out in the decades since, but I hope to God we see it again.

I’m doing this monologue for my theater class and damn Jimmy Stewart does a great job

Jimmy Stewart would never know how true this became today

I have used this movie to teach our children about banking, about runs on banks, about lending, about monopolies, about WW2, about rationing, about love of other people, about greed, about family, about loyalty, and about making a real impact for good while on this earth.

James Stewart....a king's name.

Throughout all the years the film just seems to get better every time you sit down and watch it. The simple joys in life of family and friends and helping others is the greatest gift there is in life

I've seen this movie at least 50 times and hope to live long enough to see it 50 times more

Still one of my favorite movie scenes of all time.

This is why this movie is a perfect reminder of the Christmas spirit but to keep it in your heart year round. George could’ve easily invested in plastic with his friend and became a potter he stayed the course and made more of impact than he could’ve ever imagined. I can’t believe potter is drew Barrymore great uncle explains why she’s so talented as well

this is an utterly fantastic film with breathtaking performances from the whole cast..perfection.

Even though this film didn't do well at the box office when it first came out, it became a classic latter on and thankfully Jimmy lived long enough to see the success of this film.

What an absolutely fantastic scene, the working, paying, living and dying part of his speech always gets me!

Shelter IS A RIGHT, not a privilege. You tell em George

Fantastic scene and perfromance by Mr. Stewart. So natural, so convincing and eloquent. I wonder if any school can teach that. I'd say I believe in natural gift. You can't make another JS.

This rant changed me growing up.

Classic scene from one of the greatest films of all time!

One of the greatest speeches in film history.

One of the best moments of the movie. A truly heartfelt scene.

"do you know how long it takes a working man to save $5000?" rings so much stronger when it is so hard to save in this day and yet 5k is worth so much less than it was then

Greatest monologue of all time. Is it even close?

George Bailey is also like me. I believe in helping others. Elvis also loved this movie. And he was a great man. We need more great men.

James Stewart is the ideal of manhood

I always thought Lionel Barrymore, Old Man Potter stole this movie. Barrymore was so damn convincing playing the evil banker. Barrymore himself being nothing like the character he played in this in real life. In my opinion everyone did a great job in this film, but to me anyway, Lionel Barrymore's performance really stood out.

There will never be a classier actor than James Stewart, he was and is the best. That is all.

I think this is one of the best monologues in film history. The emotional energy jumps off the screen. And yes, the words ring true today. Love, love James Stewart still!

This was one of the great movies!

"Do you know how long it takes a working man to save $5000" is something that's so poignant even now

I’m 32 years old now this was my fathers favorite movie and both my grandparents are from jimmy Stewart’s generation RIP,

Best scene in the film for me. Absolutely stirs the soul

When actors could act and treated it like a craft. This film is always a joy to watch.

This movie must be divine!

best monologue ever.. George Bailey: "Just a minute. Just a minute, now hold on, Mr. Potter. Just a minute, now you're right, when you say my father was no business man. I know that. Why he ever started this cheap penny anty Building & Loan, I'll never know but neither you or anybody else can say something against his character because his whole life was - Why in the 25 years since he and Uncle Billy started this thing, he never once thought of himself. Isn't that right, Uncle Billy? He didn't save enough money to send Harry to school, let alone me, but he did help a few people get out of your slums, Mr. Potter. And what's wrong with that? You're all businessmen, here. Don't it make them better citizens? Doesn't make them better customers.. You said that they.. what'd you say just a minute ago? "They had to wait and save their money before they even thought of a decent home." Wait?!~ Wait for what? ..until their children grow up and leave them? ..until they are so old and broken down that - do you know how long it takes a working man to save $5000 dollars? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about, they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him, but to you, a warped frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well, in my book, he died a much richer man than you'll ever be..." Potter: "I'm not interested in your book. I'm talking about the Building & Loan." George Bailey: "I know very well what you're talking about, you're talking about something you can't get your fingers on and it's gawing ya! That's what you're talking about, I know. Well, I've said too much. I... You're the, you're the board here, you do what you want with this thing. There's just one thing more though, this town needs this measly one horse institution, if only to have someplace where people can come without crawling to Potter!"

James was an incredible actor, a rare find now.

"People were human beings to him, but to you, a warp, frustrated old man, they're cattle! Well, in my book, he died a much richer man than you'll ever be!" Nearly 80 years later, it rings beautiful in my ears!

Tears me up every time.😢

I can't get enough of this film. I am in live with Jimmy Stewart

It's A Wonderful Life has always been my favorite movie! Always Remember: "No Man Is A Failure Who Has Friends"!!! Always ~ Joanne Wilson

Today, there are some people that would call Potter 'successful'. If being successful means being like Potter, I'm perfectly happy being broke.

The USA has become Pottersville.......

Mr. Potter is a one of the best villains of all time, played against of the best protagonists of all time, in one of the best moves of all timed, played by some of the best actors of all time, in the best country of all time.

I wish more people watched this and would see we let the world be run by Potters and now we're suffering for it. This is such an amazing movie.

Love Jimmy Stewart- he was such a good guy and decent. Potter reminds me of the Koch brothers.

Jimmy Stewart, such a natural...

2 of the best minutes ever put to film.

So proud that this is my namesake

Lionel Barrymore is only one among several fine actors in this classic. His performance is fabulous. He' is THE ultimate villain! The J. Stewart soliloquy about this "measly little town....without crawling to Potter" is timeless and more appropriate today than ever. I wonder if anyone knows that this Frank Capra film was panned when it was released in ...of all times, I think....JULY? The critics called it "CAPRA corn." As a film buff, I could say I agree. Yet it lives on and on still to this day. Why is this? Because the message is timeless, especially given the value system that exists among so many "it's all about me" Greedy Americans, who don't understand what it means to put others less fortunate before themselves. THIS is what makes it a classic. And I just LOVE IT!

Still to this day.. this scene gives me the vapors. Sad how hard it still rings true.

This was brilliant

This is so relevant in 2023

"I know VERY WELL what YOU'RE talking about!!!" === Best Line Ever.

This is such a great scene and indicative of the larger message of the movie. You can see Bailey addressing Potter and Potter seems to be unconvinced. But if you look closely at the other people in the room, they are clearly being influenced by what he said. He was making a difference there even though he didn't know it.

thank you so much for uploading this. i love this movie.. i swear im george bailey! :) this movie will pertain to humans for the next hundred years. thank you so much james stewart for fitting the part so well. RIP !

So deep and serious.... People living for others at the cost of their own amazing highly appreciative... World is full of wicked... Everything comes with a cost tag.... Still love takes care of every situation...... Bewitched 💝💝💝💝

George Bailey for president.

incredible acting on the part of stewart... amazing

seems like no one is like George Bailey anymore...everyone is like Potter!!! This movie is the true meaning of christmas!

I learned to appreciate this movie.

This scene is powerful, not just because of Jimmy’s performance, but because it rings with solid truth, passion and compassion.

George Bailey speaks for the 99%!

@thelastholdout In black and white he is kinda cute in a rugged way love his eyes. I like when actors get into character w their faces

In today's installment of statements that aged like fine wine

If people wonder why this film is so revered...its scenes like this and the performance of a great actor like Stewart. But this is just one of the many brilliant scenes in this timeless movie. This frank capra film is a masterpiece

One of the best speeches ever.

This movie is my all time favorite movie!!!

This is so relevent today. Mr. Potter is the big banks and George Bailey is guys like me.

Although it's tough to make a simple leap between Potter and the modern financial meltdown, somehow I get the same taste in my mouth. It's amazing how relevant this slightly proletariat-championed scene remains. Oliver Stone's "Wall Street" can't be understood without this film. My opinion also is it's here you can really see Stewart's transformation after returning from war. You can't find that emotion. It has to be seared into you.

Both Lionel Barrymore (Potter) and Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) are screen legends. You don't become one from poor acting.

Their is a lot of potters out here.in this world.are stingy. and their are a lot of George Bailey Who Are Very Kind to People.

Potter just straight up jacks that cash from Uncle Billy. Cold as ice

Magnificent

Great acting...and what's being said is so true. Was than...and is now...as much now as ever before.

This is wonderful film to watch with the family

The FBI genuinely included this film in a list of "motion pictures disclosing communist propaganda therein." Any notion of respecting the working class is a threat to the rich & powerful the FBI is there to protect. Fantastic scene & film.

Also, since I'm going off on this clip already- if you want to learn how to act, watch the extras or other board members in this scene in the background. Look at how their expressions change as George becomes more impassioned. Look at Uncle Billy (Thomas Mitchell) eyes fill at the end filled with gleeful comeuppance. This scene is driven by the wonderful ability of James Stewart but its carried home by every other actor involved. I hope the crew applauded after finishing the scene.