FILM STUDENT WATCHES *IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE* FOR THE FIRST TIME! (IMDB TOP 250)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 2024
- #itsawonderfullife #moviereaction #firsttimewatching
My name is Elie Moses and I am a 23 Year Old law and film student. I decided to watch the classical cult top 20 IMDB film It's A Wonderful Life (1946) for the first time! Here is my movie reaction! This film had me teary eyed and Is one of the greatest films of all time.
Talk crap with me on Social Media!
TIKTOK - / eliemoses
TWITTER - / eliemoses14
INSTAGRAM - / eliemoses14
Business - eliemosesbusiness@outlook.com - บันเทิง
![[ไฮไลต์] ฟุตบอลชาย อุซเบกิสถาน vs สเปน รอบแบ่งกลุ่ม | โอลิมปิก 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2ps5WKV1Mq0/mqdefault.jpg)
One of the greatest films ever...period. I correct myself from the video. I have actually now seen 4 films of James Stewart because I forgot to mention ROPE! which is on the channel, too. Stewart is now one of if not my favourite actor of all time. The feel good factor of this film is infectious!! Hood Classic 😂 God Bless and I hope you enjoy!
Check out Rear Window if you haven’t seen it yet
@@danielmccay9150 on the channel!
I grew up watching a ton of Jimmy Stewart movies as he’s my mom’s favorite actor. Didn’t really get into his westerns much, but a lot of favorites among his others:
You Can’t Take it With You
Mr Smith Goes to Washington
The Shop Around the Corner
The Glenn Miller Story
Shenandoah
Check out THE PHILADELPHIA STORY with James Stewart and Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. A real Classic film❤
I forgot to say that James Stewart won the Academy Award as Best Actor for his role in The Philadelphia Story along with the screenwriter winning Best Screenplay…it was nominated for a total of 6 Oscars.
Mary Bailey is a boss. She wanted George Bailey-boom, married him & had his babies. She wanted to live in the old Granville house, & she made that thing a home. I pity anyone who would dare to get in the way of what Mary Bailey wanted.
I think you needed to hear the message of this movie. A life where all your dreams don’t come true isn’t an necessarily an unsuccessful life. Sometimes we need to stop keeping count of the things that haven’t worked out, and start counting every little thing we have to be grateful for. It’s a wonderful life!
Beautifully put!
Spot on heather...well said !
As a kid, this movie was good.
As an adult who has had hard times , this film is great
Im there with you.
So true
For me, the greatest scene in the movie is when George meets his brother Harry at the train station and learns that not only does he have a sister-in-law, but that Harry has been offered a job. The 'silent' scene that focuses on Jimmy Stewart's face as he processes it, guts it out, then realizes he must accept it and even celebrate it is remarkable. Stewart's face acting is tremendous. You can really imagine the emotions his character is going through, dealing internally, with a lot of new information and in public. Hardly seems like acting at all. It just seems real to him.
So true.
I’ve seen a lot of Jimmy Stewart’s films and his ability to communicate humanness with his face may be unparalleled. All the great actors and actresses, to some degree, have that ability, his expressions say so much
I really, really value the message of this film. So many films and shows encourage people to chase their dreams without addressing the reality that those dreams likely won't come true. This film manages to address that pain while also affirming the value of an individual life.
The most life-affirming movie EVER. A true American MASTERPIECE, and arguably the most-beloved film of all-time.
“Please God let me live again” really gets me every time, thanks for sharing your reaction and review
I love how his prayer request was granted as soon George said, "Please God" instead of yelling, "Help me, Clarence."
Jimmy Stewart was in the war before this came out and he suffered PTS . This was his first film in 5 years and he used his stress from the events of the battle in real life to channel his character, George. Brilliant acting
The history of the film mirrored George Bailey's life.
The cast and crew loved working on the film but due to timing of its release it wasn't a box office success. Nominated for six academy awards, it only won for Technical Achievement with the falling snow. Despite how much the movie was loved and enjoyed it, the film critics were real Mr. Potters. Soon the film was just a fond memory slowly fading away with the passing years.
Then somebody misplaced the paperwork or forgot to file the copyright renewal. It's as though an Angel Second Class arrived in 1974 to grant a wish and "It's A Wonderful Life" moved into the public domain. Soon cable television was taking off like Sam Wainwright's plastics industry. The film quickly became a staple of the Christmas holiday season and everybody fell in love again with George and Mary Bailey and all of Bedford Falls.
"It's A Wonderful Life" is the richest movie in town. 🔔ding, ding🎶ding, ding🔔
Very true 🔔
Bravo!
I consider this the greatest film of all time. It was based on a short story called "The Greatest Gift" that Philip Van Doren sent to friends as a Christmas card. It was Jimmy Stewart's first film after returning from World War II, and he had great doubts about his career. Frank Capra is my all-time favorite director, and I have an autograph hanging on my wall as inspiration. There is so much great trivia about this film, but one of my favorites is that Ellen Corby (grandmother on the Waltons) is the lady who asks for $17.50. Capra directed her to ask for that amount and Jimmy Stewart did not know it was coming, so his reaction is ad libbed ... and it's perfect! Stewart and Capra also created "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" and it's another masterpiece. In fact, Capra did not know how to create anything else but masterpieces. It was fun enjoying this film with you.
It always struck me how notably 'natural' the acting was in this movie for the time, to the point of almost stepping on each other's lines, as we do in real life, remarkably natural. I can't think of a contemporary movie to it that compares.
Frank Capra was an amazing director. He was always able to get natural acting out of his actors. Leo McCarey is another director from back then who was able to get the same out of his actors. In fact the movie Good Sam, that came out around the same time as this movie, is an excellent example. It's also an excellent Christmas-time movie. One of my favorites in fact.
Among the many wonderful things about this film, it is a great history lesson on the changes to American life from 1919 to '46, by the people who lived through them.
In the beginning, we see Potter in a horse-drawn carriage, as autos for most people were just coming on the scene.
The death of Mr. Gover's son from the Spanish flu.
The Roaring Twenties, with everyone (and I mean everyone) dancing the Charleston (and a suggestion of bootleg alcohol).
The Great Depression with bank runs, which caused continuing collapse of the economy as bank after bank failed, taking each time everyone's savings.
The early development of suburbia (Bailey Park).
World War II, where everyone got involved.
Between this and Forrest Gump you get quite the history survey.
Wonderful reaction ! I love it when you watch classics. And you’re absolutely right that modern films don’t know how to do romance
Bert the Cop "I gotta go home, see what the wife's doing."
Finally, somebody got it.
Nice reaction.
I think my favorite bit of acting here is one of the most subtle ones. After George hears about Harry being offered a job, you can see George change his serious expression and silently decide to stay home, and then push all that aside and put on a happy face. There are some movies even now that would feel the need to spell out everything George is thinking, instead of letting us observe it.
Very true
Well, it does help that James Stewart was the sort of person who understood those feelings and choices. Many modern actors have only ever given up things they don't value. Those who cannot show, must tell.
This is the American version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Told from the point of view of Bob Cratchit (George Bailey) instead of Scrooge (Potter). Here there is no need to redeem Scrooge, just a celebration of Cratchit and his community. It isn't better than Dickens' story (frankly, few things could be), but it IS its equal! Also few reactions could be better than yours was for this movie! Thank you so much for sharing!
About halfway through I realised how incredibly surprised you were setting yourself up to be at the actual message.
As many have said, World War II really feeds a lot of this plot. You can imagine how some soldiers would come back from war and learn to appreciate the simple family/home life that they’ve been missing.
Another Jimmy Stewart movie you may appreciate is 'Harvey'. It is referenced in a couple of modern 'hit' movies, and it was Stewart's favourite role. Also, I don't think it has ever been reacted to on TH-cam.
You should watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. It's another Jimmy Steward/Frank Capra masterpiece.
No matter how many times I watch this movie (and I've watched it over 100 times), I still cry!
Its unbelievable
I even get choked up at these reaction videos of other people watching it for the first time.
Of all of the Christmas movies out there, this one is my favorite because of its true heart and message that is displayed.
You mentioned numerous times throughout the film that one needs to be selfish sometimes to fulfill ones own dreams. I hope you saw that this is NOT true. Who was the richest man in town? The guy who put others before himself. Good reaction. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, it would probably have been easier for the reactor not to keep assuming this was a "fulfill your destiny" film if he was aware how highly the biblical and classical virtues of selflessness were valued by the generations spanning two world wars and a global depression. No studio audience in 1946 would have tolerated a man shirking off his responsibilities to "follow his dreams"--that lower standard only began to be prized a generation or two later.
Exactly ^^^^^
This is a timeless classic. I love the theme. Our dreams may not be realized, but the real dream is having people you care about and who care about you. The other big message is suicide is not the answer. Things can always turn around. God bless!
Easily one of the greatest films of all-time. And every time you watch it again, it gets better and you will cry longer. Perfection.
Congratulations on being the only reactors to this movie I have seen who noticed the butterfly collection. I think it was George's, which is why it ended up in George and Mary's house. The important thing though is the symbolism of the butterflies. The whole film is about wings. Clarence earns his wings by showing George that he already has them. By saving Harry, George makes it possible for his younger brother to earn his wings as a navy pilot and, through him, to save all those men on the transport. Mary's picture shows that George has already lassoed the moon. George's ambition was to build modern cities and he built Bailey Park. It seems to me that the message of the film is not about settling for less than your dreams but about recognizing your dreams when they come true in a way you do not expect.
I can’t remember it now, but I recall seeing a similar or perhaps the same framed butterfly collection on a wall in another classic film. I had wondered if it was purchased to be a studio prop which represented a common hobby/interest for people at that time, and whatever happened to that item. It somewhat indicates a person who is interested in science as well as the natural world and artistic beauty as well.
It would be interesting to know what other films had such a decoration. The important thing is, what it meant in context. To state the obvious: every part of a film is part of the film. In the great films, even the most seemingly minor things are significant.@@Dej24601
So very true.
OH MY GOD THAT IS EXCELLENT
Not to mention the “Butterfly Effect.”
I don’t understand why they call Capra corny. He was just trying to make humanity and humility in his characters with just a little ham.
was this film called corny?????
@@eliemoses Frank Capra was known for his “corny” films. Mr. Deeds , Wonderful life.
@@eliemoses It’s grown in stature over the years but when it was released it didn’t do very well and critics didn’t love it though it was nominated for lots of the top awards. The movie has grown over the years into the iconic story that it is from its popularity during the holidays. For me nothing really captures the spirit of the holiday quite like it. The scene of him running through town yelling Merry Christmas is one of the most iconic scenes in history and has been lampooned and paid tribute in so many things. Jimmy Stewart is one of the all time greats and his performance in this always brings me to tears. And the kid who plays young George was phenomenal. The tears start in that scene with Mr Gower. So well acted.
@handsomestik unfortunately but not surprisingly it was and is not unusual for snyone with high morals and good values like Capra or a film with an uplifting message to be panned and mocked by self-indulgent unprincipled people and institutions.
I always thought this was pretty dark…
Great review. Everyone tears up at the end ( look at other reactions to this film) and I have been watching it for decades.
Here in the USA it is shown on Christmas Eve in the original black and white. Stewart is such a great actor. I would suggest "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" and "Shenandoah". Saturday Night Live once did a skit about a lost ending to the film. Check it out.
Congratulations on being the only reactor to this film I have seen who noticed the butterfly collection. However, I do not believe it was his father's but George's, which is why it ended up in George and Mary's house. The important thing, though, is the symbolism of the butterflies. This whole movie is about wings. Clarence earns his wings by showing George that he has always had them. In saving Harry, George made it possible for his little brother to earn his wings as a naval pilot and, through him, to save every man on that transport. According to Mary, George wasn't going to lasso the moon. he already had. George wanted to build modern cities and made a good beginning at it with Bailey Park. The message of the film, in my opinion, is not about giving up on your dreams but about recognising them when they come true in a way you were not expecting.
Two things
1.) The crow shown in the Building and Loans Office was actually a Raven, a trained bird that appeared in almost every Director Frank Capra film and it is also the same "crow" that landed on the Scarecrow's shoulder in the Wizard of Oz.
2.) James Stewart (George Bailey) was a real war hero as he piloted B-24 Bombers over Germany and commanded entire bomber squadrons. He remained in the Air Force Reserves after the war attaining the rank of General. You can look it up.
When you think about how dark this film can be with crushed dreams, depression, desperation, and thoughts of suicide, it's a testament to the writers, director, and actors that it radiates goodness, empathy, courage, joy, and appreciation for what we have in this life. ALL of the performances are brilliant... but what a performance from Jimmy Stewart. I've seen this film dozens of times, and I've never been able to get through it without shedding a tear, and breaking out in a grin. A couple things to add:
1. The director of this film, Frank Capra is fantastic. Check out another film he made with Jimmy Stewart, "MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON." It's a fantastic film that they still show to politicians in Washington DC every year as sort of a teaching tool for ethics. GREAT performances, again. Another great film that Capra made was "IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT"... starring Clark Gable, and Claudette Colbert.
2. Another great Christmas film Jimmy Stewart starred in before this one, was "THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER." Again... a BRILLIANT film that has been remade a few times (including a Tom Hanks film called "You've Got Mail")... but the original starring Stewart is the BEST!! It's a hilarious, romantic masterpiece up there with "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE." You'll love it. Cheers!
This was Stewart's first film after returning from flying multiple bomber missions over Europe in the war. The scene in Martini's bar where he starts to break down was filmed on the first take, when Stewart was overcome by some of the memories of his experience. It was shot at a longer distance. Capra zoomed the shot in post-production to get the close-up, which is why it is grainier than the rest of the shot.
Bailey Park was a graveyard before George started building houses there, as noted by Potter's rent collector pointing to Bailey Park and commenting it was where the old cemetery was located.
"Every man on that transport died. Harry wasn't there to save them because YOU weren't there to save Harry!" is such a great line, encapsulating the theme of the movie into one exchange.
As a good friend of mine once said, "Life is what happens to while you're busy making other plans." Thank you, Elie -- it's a wonderful reaction!
You were friends with John Lennon? That was a lyric he wrote in his song Beautiful Boy.
You knew John Lennon??
@@DavidB-2268 although John Lennon has become associated with it, that expression existed decades before John put it in his song. I remember it from the early 60s.
Donna Reed as Mary was excellent and also Thomas Mitchell as Uncle Billy. But the acting thatt stood out beside Jimmy Stewart was Beulah Bondi who played his mother. She was a sweet mother but when she answered the door as the bitter suspicious woman in the life without George she was phenomenal.
Being one of my favorite films, I have watched so many reactions to it, but yours was one of the best. You really got it even though you knew nothing about it. Great job and thank you so much!
🫡🫡🫡
This was Frank Capra's first movie after World War II. It was his tribute to all the people who set their plans aside for the collective good during the war. Not just soldiers, but many people on the home front postponed their marriages, families, educations, and careers for the war effort.
I'm not usually a fan of sentimental movies, but I make an exception for It's a Wonderful Life. Maybe it's because the story makes you really care about George by showing his whole life, and all the sacrifices he made.
Lionel Barrymore, who played Mr. Potter, was Drew Barrymore's great uncle. There are many great actors in that family, going back to the days before film.
The scene where they fell into the swimming pool was filmed at Beverly Hills High School. There really is a swimming pool under the gymnasium floor there. It's still in use today.
In the scene where they threw rocks at the old house, Frank Capra offered to have someone throw a rock for Donna Reed (who played Mary). There was no need. She had played baseball in high school, and she had a good arm. She hit one of the windows with her first throw.
It wasn't in the script for Jimmy Stewart to kiss the woman who asked for $17.50. He ad-libbed it on the spot. She wasn't expecting it, so her reaction was genuine.
One interesting thing about this movie is that the audience is expected to know how a bank or savings and loan business works. They didn't have to explain what a bank run was, or what Potter was doing to try to destroy the Building and Loan by offering 50 cents on the dollar. The audience in 1946 had lived through the Great Depression, so they understood these things through experience.
Stewart's reaction to the request for $17.50 was genuine, as it wasn't in the script. Capra told Ellen Corby to only ask for $17.50 in an aside to see what Stewart would do, and he liked the kiss so much that he left it in.
Few films are as uplifting in such a genuine way. It addresses the hard things in life head-on. Lots of films give wish-fulfillment, but not many deal with the reality that life rarely turns out just way you wanted. At some point we all have to face the passage of time, and things we hoped would happen haven’t happened, and might not ever. This feeling only increases as you get older. But this film not only acknowledges it, but shows that it’s okay, life can still be wonderful even when it wasn’t your dream. It makes you reconsider your priorities. George gave selflessly to others out of love, and that meant he didn’t get a lot of his dreams of education and travel and career. But he wasn’t as poor as he thought he was. And when you feel you’ve hit rock bottom and are struggling with depression and whatever else attacks you with it, there is still hope. Especially for one who has so generously sacrificed for others. I watch this movie every year and always get teary-eyed!
To quote The Rolling Stones:
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes, well, you might find
You get what you need
Everyone who is a fan of this movie knows it got little attention when first released, and somehow they neglected to renew the copyright. Later on, tv stations played this again and again, as it was in the public domain. (I think they got the rights back by copyrighting the music.)
It was also based on a previous short story that continued to be under copyright.
I think the main reason it did poorly at the box office is because it was too soon after WWII.
@@libertyresearch-iu4fy Maybe. But I vaguely remember it being on local tv stations in the NYC area at odd times. I must have seen it several times during the course of several years before it started to click and register with me as a great movie. And it wasn't like a sudden epiphany either but a gradual increase in appreciation. Obviously I'm not everyone but again, nobody was gushing over it when it first started appearing on late-night tv.
The moment Mary held up the $2K and said, "How much do you need?" was a huge moment. She was proclaiming I'm on board with your philosophy of helping others to the occasional detriment of ourselves.
Why, it's almost like she chose him primarily BECAUSE he was a good man. Handsome, sure, but any man can be handsome, and handsome eventually goes away; good is a whole other thing, and far more important.
I suspect a lot of heartbreak wouldn't happen, if people were as level-headed as she.
I was going to suggest this to u for a Christmas film!!!!!!! In my top 3 favourite films of all time - utterly perfect, amazing film. SO pleased u didn’t watch it in colour. Psychiatrists apparently use this film to help depressed/suicidal people x
Thanks, Elie! 🔔 This is a great and timeless tail. It always heartens me to see young reacters appreciating it. Frank Capra really knows how to direct.
You didn't include it but when uncle billy goes off screen drunk and crashes into trashcans, that was actually a mistake. A stage hand dropped a box of props and made the noise and the actor improvised to cover it. The director liked it and kept the take. That is why Jimmy Stewart looks so surprised when the crashing sound happens. 😊
I always tear up when I watch this film (which is every year) -- particularly when Harry toasts his brother "the richest man in town" because it underlines the thread throughout the film, that money isn't the most important thing in life
To my big brother George, the richest man in town......gets me every time! if you don't get a little teary, you need to check your pulse! Great reaction!
Much love thank you God Bless ❤️❤️
Ran across your channel due to this magnificent film. Really enjoyed your commentary & insight from your perspective. The scene where George is in the bar in such desperation. The sincerity of his heart-wrenching prayer is one of the finest pieces of acting captured to film.
💜💜💜
This movie gets me through the holidays every year.
"You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?"
Merry Christmas! 🎅 🎄
Fun Fact: Ranked as the #1 Most Inspirational Movie of All Time by the American Film Institute in 2006.
Capitalist Message Fact: This movie is also a stealth capitalist movie. It rejects the idea of centralized banking and a monopoly. Thumbs up if you agree to a Federal Reserve audit.
Home Run Fact: For the scene that required Donna Reed to throw a rock through the window of the Granville house, director Frank Capra hired a marksman to shoot it out on cue. To everyone's amazement, Reed broke the window by herself. She had played baseball in high school and had a strong throwing arm.
What Script Fact: As Uncle Billy drunkenly leaves the Bailey home, it sounds as if he stumbles into some trash cans on the sidewalk. In fact, a crew member dropped a large tray of props right after Thomas Mitchell (one of my favorite actors of the era) went off-screen. James Stewart began laughing and Mitchell quickly improvised the "I'm alright! I'm okay!" line. Director Frank Capra decided to use this take and gave the stagehand a $10 bonus.
Location Location Fact: The set for Bedford Falls was constructed in two months and was one of the longest sets that had ever been made for an American movie. It covered four acres of RKO's Encino Ranch. It included 75 stores and buildings, a main street, a factory district and a large residential and slum area. Main Street was 300 yards long, three whole city blocks. The gym floor that opens in the middle to reveal the swimming pool underneath was filmed at Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, California, USA was real and is still in regular use. The same gymnasium moving floor was used in a similar school dance scene in Whatever It Takes (2000), fifty-four years later. The young man who opened the floor to the pool was Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer of the Our Gang/Little Rascals franchise in an uncredited cameo role.
Capra was accused of being a “socialist” and the attack on Potter as the ultimate Capitalist hardly makes this a “pro-Capitalist” film. Plus the regular folk all getting together to help George doesn’t speak to the dog eat dog world of unfettered capitalism, either.
…but the other fun facts are great!
Current Capitalist ideology rejects centralized banking, monopolies, and embraces home ownership. A Central Planned Economy is a terrible idea.
Go with God and Be Safe from Evil. 😎 👍
👍
@@johnmavroudis2054 We used to call what you describe "being a friend". I don't believe friendship has ever been a political value, let alone an anti-capitalist one.
Or perhaps I'm just a relic of a dying culture, one in which we understand the difference between ordinary people doing good for one another, and faceless government agents deciding who deserves his own property.
@@YouWillBeHappyOrElse perhaps I can help with your obvious myopia. Look at the original comment. If you do, you’ll notice the following ridiculous comment: “Capitalist Message Fact”… which is complete hogwash. This film is no “stealth capitalist movie”… in fact, it’s anything but… and you’d have to be some dim bulb political hack commentator to make such an absurd statement. So you see, your beef is obviously with THAT person and not me… unless you, too, are a dim bulb political hack. Good day.
Great movie. It shows what is, and what isn't, truly important. A much simpler time but the message still rings true today.
Henry Travers who played “Clarence” the Angel, also co-starred in the classic “The Bells of St. Mary’s”, one of the movies shown on the movie theater marquise as George is running home. 😀
The movie is really the inverted A Christmas Carol. When he reads the message in the book just gets me every time.
Cos this film makes you feel thats what i love about it.
Great job pointing out the fantastic acting between Stewart and Reed in the phone scene. The romantic tension is palpable, and you can see on their faces that they aren't listening to a word that Sam Wainright is saying. Stewart is particularly great as you can see him wrestling with his desire to get out and knowing that getting married will make it harder to do that, but wanting Mary all the same. It's soooo good!
I would also point out the scene where Potter offers him the job. Jimmy Stewart's play of emotions as he shakes Potter's hand is tremendous.
I never jumped to watch a reaction so fast in my life. (also...Merry...Christmas?) 😉
merry christmas ya filthy animal.....
well done@@eliemoses
Ditto.
Im so happy your watching this movie. When your down know people are praying for you.
This is my most favorite Christmas movie. I watch it every year on Christmas Eve. My family loves that we keep that tradition.
Lionel Barrymore, as Mr. Potter, of the great acting family including his grandniece Drew, was such a versatile actor and director despite his ever more crippling arthritis. Love him in Key Largo and Captains Courageous.
❤😮
HEY. ELIE, who do you think has more sex spread = Clarence or Potter??❤😂😮
That was sex appeal
I have read (so I might be wrong 🙃) that Lionel Barrymore is the person who convinced Jimmy Stewart to do this movie.
Lovely reaction. It is one of those timeless movies that resonates no matter what is going on in the world.
For my whole life, when my Dad didn’t like or trust someone, he would wipe his hand after shaking it to let us know. Or wipe it like it was dirty during a conversation just as George did after shaking Potters hand. It’s funny how movies become a part of our lives in such funny ways.
I enjoyed the time spent. Thank you. I had a good time.
"Do you think Violet would have done all this?" Great quote by you! 🤘
A true classic. Funny, sad, feel good movie. I love it!
What i love most about this movie is that in george's darkest hour. The community without question came to help.
I loved the transformation of your viewpoint to go for your dreams change to appreciate what you do have in the present. That shows the power of the film😊❤.
Thanks for kicking off the holidays, and you couldn't have started out with anything better than this beautiful classic.
You deserve more subscribers 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Superlative commentary -- subtle, sensitive, well-spoken. What a pleasure to hear the thoughtful commentary. Bravo.
THANK YOUU ❤️❤️
@@eliemoses Nice to have this come in while I'm enjoying your commentary on "The Enemy Within" (a very different kind of show!)
@@reichensperger1847 glad you enjoyed 🙂🙂🙂
I first saw this movie when I was about 19 years old, and it's been my all-time favorite movie ever since. It captures so many aspects of the human experience: Greed, despair, sacrifice, setback, love, family, humor, prioritizing the important things in life, seeing that everyone can make a difference for having lived.. so many things it touches on. You can't get a better story about life and being human. All stories should leave you with a positive feeling, or at least give you something positive to learn from it. This film does all of this. The movie was over 40 years old when I first watched it in the late 80s (as a teenager) and now nearly another 40 years on, through most of my lifetime, and it's still so timeless - and always will be - for more generations to come. It's a gem!
This is my favorite movie of all time. It still evokes so much emotion from me.
Loved hearing your observations on this classic film. Just one observation: At 40:39 you completely talked over what is possibly the best acting in the film when James Stewart is praying at the bar. Give that scene another look, I think you’ll appreciate it. Thanks again for the great reaction video.
🫡💚💚
Fantastic reaction. Very detailed and sophisticated. You even pointed out some things i never noticed before and i have seen this movie dozens of times.
Unfortunately you left out the best line in the movie: "To my big brother George: the richest man in town.". That's unforgivable.
Wow, young people need history lessons - the run on the bank was the crash of 1929, the start of the Great Depression. Maybe more apparent in 1946 when this movie came out. Elie, it was fun watching your ideas of where this film was going evolve. At about 47 minutes in on this reaction video, you realized it's about gratitude and recognizing to appreciate what you have. Being selfless vs. selfish has its ultimate rewards, maybe more than chasing dreams and making one's first million by age 30. We touch so many other lives - even the most insignificant act can have huge ripples. Jimmy Stewart is one of my favorite actors, what a performance! A classic! I have seen this film dozens of times, and I laugh and cry happy tears by the end, every time! And love your infectious laugh, it's fun to watch along with you.
Frank Capra has directed a number of great films like It Happened One Night, Meet John Doe, Mr. Deeds Goes To Town, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington and You Can't Take It With You. Notice that the policeman is named Bert and the cab driver is named Ernie. That's where the Muppets got the names for Ernie and Bert.
If you don't get a little emotional watching this movie then there is something wrong with you. I have watched it a hundred times and I still get teary-eyed. James Stewart is a great actor. his films with Hitchcock and Capra (This isn't his only Capra film.) and so many more. Anatomy of a Murder, Winchester 73, Bend of the River, The Naked Spur, The Philadelphia Story, Harvey just to name a few.
That little tune wasn't only Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but it's also Baa Baa Black Sheep and The Alphabet Song.
What I love about your reaction is how it goes from an analysis of movie as a film student to just a pure reaction. I only had one film class, but my professor told us that the best movies will make you forget about "reading" the film technique as an analyst and allow you to just enjoy that pure cinema experience again.
thnak youuu
It not Christmas without it. Traditional to watch every Christmas ❤ when it came out it was panned as a "failure ". Boy were they wrong !!!! Enjoyed it very much !!!! Merry Christmas 💚❤💚❤
Love that! Merry Christmas to you in advanced. God Bless.
Clarence's theme song IS "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" which is appropriate because he is introduced to the movie in the form of a little star. When Bert tries to handcuff him, the song is even more appropriate because, when he disappears with Joseph's help, "How we wonder where you are."
I grew up watching this. It's really impacted who I am. I treasure it, and always try to keep in mind the message that a wonderful life isn't defined by all the things you own or money you make. It's about the lives you touch, the people you love, and the communities you build. I'm studying economics in college to pursue a career hopefully financing affordable housing and working on anti-poverty legislation. Ever since I was probably 10, I've always wanted to live up to the standard set by George Bailey. Enjoyed your reaction.
Knowing this movie inside and out made your commentary hilarious.
The lighting in this film is amazing. In my top 5.
I love Jimmy Stewart. This was his first film back from World War 2 where he was serving as a pilot in the Army. He refused to serve on the back lines like many celebrities who joined the military. To the point where he suffered PTSD very badly.
The most dramatic scenes where he is crying and in distress, to get into those things he dragged all those feelings from the war to get into character.
I suggest you see A Philadelphia Story, it was his last movie before entering in the military.
This is one of my favorite movies, and I enjoyed watching your reaction to it. You commented about tearing up at the end? Heck, I've seen this film so many times and I still not only tear up, but sometimes cry. (I show this movie to my theatre students, and I am often glad that the classroom lights are off because if not, the students would see tears running down my face. Would you mind some trivia?
* Mr. Potter's throne-like wheelchair is a great addition to his character, but it was also practical. Actor Lionel Barrymore had terrible arthritis in his legs. (In Frank Capra's 1938 "You Can't Take It With You," Barrymore played Grandpa on crutches (and received shots of morphine every hour or so) to help with the pain. By 1946, a wheelchair was needed.
* At this time, snow was often created using cornflakes painted white. However, cornflakes made noise when they fell and when they were stepped on, which required dialogue and sound effects to be redubbed. For this movie, instead of cornflakes, they forced fire extinguisher foam through fans. The fan blades cut up the foam into "flakes," and blew those flakes onto the set. It gave a very realistic depiction of a wet snow.
* When George is on the bridge, he looks somewhat sweaty, which fits well with his mental stress. California was hit with a heat wave during the filming of these scenes. It was 96 degrees Fahrenheit, and James Stewart was sweating for real.
*James Stewart appeared in some of my other favorite films, if you would like to react to them -- "You Can't Take It With You," (1938); "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington," (1939); & "Destry Rides Again," (1939).
* The city of Seneca Falls, New York, is said to be the inspiration for Bedford Falls, New York, in the movie. Director Frank Capra visited Seneca Falls before filming began. Seneca Falls even has a canal bridge that looks very much like the bridge in IAWL. Every December, Seneca Falls holds an It's A Wonderful LIfe Weekend. I hope to attend one day.
* If you like James Stewart as an actor, check out "You Can't Take It With You," (1938); "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," (1939); and "Destry Rides Again," ( 1939).
I'm sorry to have bored you with all of this. I like your reaction videos. Keep it up.
~ Spin
@lawrencespinnerwebber
There is a Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania. I've lived in Pennsylvania all of my life & have never been to it. So many times I've planned on going, but life happens. :)
Jimmy Stewart's Dad owned a hardware store. When Jimmy earned his Acadamy Award, his Dad put that statue in his store window. I think that's such a sweet story. :)
Loved your comment! Merry Christmas! :)
My favorite Christmas movie. Glad you enjoyed it so much.
Loved it!!!!
Just a great movie, I watch it once a year on Christmas Eve , late at night & get teary eyed at the end. Just a classic.
Not only is it one of greatest Holiday films ever made. But the Writing, the directing , right down to all aspects of the production were the very best that Hollywood in its golden era has ever created.
Back when they really cared.
Back when great films , and great performances really meant something. This story no doubt derived a bit of the Bi- line from Charles Dickens " A Christmas Carol" , but that's OK . These themes are absolutely eternal and true in any decade. It was fun watching you enjoy this timeless classic.
There are two movies that epitomize Christmas: A Christmas Carol (pick a version -- my favorite is the one starring Alastair Sim) and It's a Wonderful Life. Somehow, it just isn't Christmas without these two superlative movies.
Merry Christmas to you, sir.
The Muppet Christmas Carol actually contains the most Dickens of any "A Christmas Carol". It's also wonderful.
George C Scott is my favorite Christmas Carol. And yes. Always this and always Christmas Carol.
@@benjaminroe311ify I'm sticking with Michael Caine.
My favorite is the Leslie Bricusse musical version of *Scrooge* (1970), starring Albert Finney.
@@oliverbrownlow5615 I'd have to say that's my second favorite version of the Dickens tale. Great songs and a wonderful performance by Albert Finney.
The cop and the taxi driver are named Bert and Ernie. The Sesame Street characters got there names from them.
My fave movie of all time.
The amazing thing about this film was that, according to stories I have heard, it did not do very well at all on release in 1946. According to Wikipedia, it was a bit of a blight on Frank Capra's career. In 1974, though, the copyright lapsed, and it fell into the public domain, so TV stations during the Christmas season could air it without licensing or royalty fees, and that is how it got so popular. Really, I think it was ahead of it's time, and people couldn't get with the alternate reality, the treatment of religion, or maybe a host of other things back in '46.
It was the beginning of the Great Depression, it started with a run on the banks in 1929. People lost their entire savings overnight.
Eli, I'm glad you caught that early Divine messaging, Frank Capra indeed wanted to remind people of God with this film.
It's one of my favorite movies ever. God bless you and Merry Christmas to you.
GOD BLESS YOU MY DUDE MERRY CHRISTMAS 💙💙💙
@@eliemoses Thank you very much
You should really check out "The Philadelphia Story" for another terrific (and comedic) performance from Jimmy Stewart. Awesome cast, and some great dialogue
Sometimes, you have to adjust your dreams and appreciate where you are in life.
Cook!!!!
Everybody cries at the end. You are not alone.
Really enjoyed your reaction. Especially your view points of life. At 59 years old, I can attest that life will throw some very huge curve balls at times, but like many have said. "He who is content, is rich." Just what George Bailey learned in the end. Great video!!!🎉 A new subscriber!
much love thank you!
Its A Wonderful Life is not only the greatest Christmas movie ever made, its the greatest Christian movie this side of The Passion. This movie shows us how wonderful a true Christian society can be. And then Its A Wonderful Life shows you the flipside, which we live in Pottersville.
the guy George cut into at the dance is Alfalfa from The Little Rascals
This is a movie about self sacrifice and realization of what is truly important. Not chasing your dreams at any cost.
Because it wasn’t included, the key quote in the movie: “A toast to my big brother George: the richest man in town.”
2 more films you should see. James Stewart Mr. Smith goes to Washington. And 1947 original miracle on 34 st. Another great message.✌️
I think the word that best describes this movie is wholesome 😊
It downright nourishes the heart and soul.