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.
It really didn’t fail. It just didn’t make a big profit. I think that the issue was that it came out right after the war where people had been to hell and back and were looking for something lighter.
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…
Oh there has been some world-hopping. Look at the Mandela Effect. Scientists are out there theorizing the opposite end of a black hole and wormholes but they're like "alternate world-hopping by a small population? can't be"
@@shadowpathfinder7723 It's more plausible that this phenomena is something similar like déjà vu. (Just because some ppl, have bad memory doesn't mean we need to turn existing physics upside down. lol. Extraordinary theories require extraordinary evidence.)
@@nealsterling8151 Existing physics already doesn't work. You have two separate rules for quantum and non-quantum instead of one rule with an exponential gradiant and scientists keep adding mass and energy via dark matter/energy to a closed system. Hell, the speed of light has changed at least twice since 1980. Dark matter/energy are the "god of the gaps" of science. Have you seen Quantum Immortality theory?
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.
My grandfather lost both parents in a car accident when he was 17, in the middle of the Depression. He never gave up, either. I learned so much from him.
He cries out of love I'm sure, not sadness. Hope you give him big hugs like you might have as a toddler, that's probably what he loves more than anything.
@@steelerfreak1977 This is one thing that taught me that Hollywood , msm and feminists lied. They said that women were enslaved and oppressed. One viewing of Doris Day in Calamity Jane put paid to that utter lie.
@@steelerfreak1977 I think that’s almost entirely down to changing fashions and beauty standards. As an active hater of jeans and joggers I have to agree with you. Not like men only wear suits and act like gentlemen either. Maybe we should all just get in a time machine back to the 40s/50s minus all the war and lack of human rights, and definitely take modern plumbing standards with us.
Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Hedy Lamarr, Elizabeth Taylor etc, etc. We'll never experience that ridiculous amount of class and beauty ever again in Hollywood. Those were the days.
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.
Yep, because every grown man can relate to it. We've seen our fathers have moments like that and we were scared, confused. Then you grow up and see it from your Dad's eyes. We understand. We're fighting the same battle now, and we're just as pissed. But like our Dad, we don't ever want our kids to think of us as the monster. We so desperately want our children to know we love them, and we never want to fail them.
I didn't find it funny at all from the beginning of the scene. It hits too close to home. Taking out your anger on your kids for minor things they might have done or not done, while in reality, you're just so miserable inside. This is the hardest part of the movie to watch for me. This feeling of having failed your kids despite so desperately trying to do right by them.
That scene and when they read Sam Wainwright’s telegram. Both scenes get me. The telegram scene is the pre-game and the toast scene is Game Over! I never get outwardly emotional watching a movie even though I am deeply moved. This is one of the very few movies that moves me outwardly and the only one that does it every time I watch.
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.
“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.
It's also one of the best arguments in support of individual liberty vs equality. "For want of a nail the horse was lost; For want of a horse the knight was lost; For want of a knight the battle was lost; For want of a battle the war was lost; For want of a war the kingdom was lost; All for a horseshoe nail" George mattered because Harry mattered. Harry mattered because Harry saved the men on that transport, who then went on to stop the Wehrmacht. Or the Imperial Japanese, I forget where Harry was deployed.
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.
I love it when Harry says that. To Harry, it was about all the money George received. But to the viewer, and of course George, it was about being rich in life. I absolutely love this movie
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
As much as I love this film, it's weird how people seem to have forgotten about the ultimate Christmas classic: Miracle on 34th - the original from 1947. Frank Capra's classic deals with tons of dark and social subjects to be a "pure" Christmas movie.
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
So much this. Watched it the other day and the whole time I'm thinking "Wow what an amazing wife and partner she was to him. That's the type of female I want in my life." True love right there. Those types seem hard to come by these days..
I like to think that since WW2 was almost over, George used the raise he got at the end to take Mary on the honeymoon they missed out on. They've got loving friends and family who can care for the kids while they're away. He can use leftover money to help The Building and Loan be better. George can save for when or if his kids attend college too.
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
You can see the PTSD and trauma in how his persona and career changed. Before the war his characters were suave, funny, and confident, even cocky. After the war his characters are anxious, damaged, and angry, just trying to get through. It's poignant in context.
As George falls into despair he begins fighting and arguing with everyone Everything becomes magnified. Even the loose banister is cause for fury and proof of ones failure. This is absolutely real behavior and Stewart’s slow building anger is so realistic that it’s scary. Capra and Stewart just understood people so well.
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.
Same with the actor Christopher Lee, who was even more "badass" than Stewart, having served in the SAS during the war, even though he started out as a RAF pilot. In fact, story goes that Lee had advised the movie director Peter Jackson on the finer details of killing people for authenticity.
DSWynne Christopher Lee was truly an incredible man. Who else could make a metal album in their 80’s? Also if I recall correctly that story about Lee and Jackson was specifically about what a person getting stabbed sounds like. Which is just about the most terrifying and hardcore thing ever. Also he was SOE not SAS, which is even more badass.
For as much as you all claim to be wise to the attacks on traditional life you sure seem to embrace this modern day pansy crap that it's "cool to cry", and brag to everyone about it. Pathetic.
@@mattstorm6568 I think you confuse showing emotion, with being a sensitive crybaby and professional victim. No one has ever complained about Will Smiths character crying, in I am legend, when he has to choke his dog, his only friend for years, to death, because she's changing into a zombie.
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!
That's a nice story, so thanks for sharing. Congratulations on your daughter. If you and your wife think you couldn't sleep _before_ she was born...haha
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 stumbled across this on TV as a teenager, coming in at the bridge/suicide scene, and I was hooked. Took a year or two to catch it from the beginning to see it all. Truly a masterpiece of story-telling, with some of the best actors to ever grace a screen. It should bring a tear to every eye in Hollywould-if-they-could just to think how low they have sunk, even with all the technology at their fingertips.
@@oldgettingolderhopefully6997 The problem is that Hollywood has basically become Mr. Potter. I think they're mostly incapable of being truly moved by anything outside money and power.
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.
My theory is Uncle Billy has severe undiagnosed ADHD, which leads to his eccentric hobbies and forgetfulness. His whole experience losing the money, retracing his steps, tearing his office apart, and getting yelled at and breaking down afterward is honestly too relatable as an ADHDer.
He was an amazing actor. I forget his airport / plane movie, but Rear Window (?) was awesome. Like Christopher Reeves, he used himself, his body, mannerisms, ect etc for bringing that character to a new level. Like in Wonderful Life, he channels and converts that pain and suffering into an art form. He's not only an inspiration but should he a standard in Hollywood
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.
Actually there are still these kind of movies. For example, some movies I recently watched: Flipped - th-cam.com/video/92SgWpDYjlo/w-d-xo.html No reservations - th-cam.com/video/APNTQlcbNAI/w-d-xo.html Bumblebee - th-cam.com/video/fAIX12F6958/w-d-xo.html Alphas - th-cam.com/video/uIxnTi4GmCo/w-d-xo.html Chef - th-cam.com/video/FF_rYNupPwg/w-d-xo.html Try watching them.
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.
I'm so glad you didn't put your dark thoughts into action. I've been there, too. Several times. Fuck, I'm crying now. I can tell you that it's always worth going on and trying again. You're still so young, you have so many time ahead of you to turn things around. Success is not what society tells us. Otherwise, Mr. Potter would be the most successful man in this movie.
“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.
@@Carfalog exactly. Movies/novels that deal with social or political topics cannot be defined with a single conversation because they are far too complex and nuance. These are the stories that stick with us. Good stories define an age, not a momentary fad.
See also: the 2019 BBC version of "A Christmas Carol," a 3-hour slog of bleakness and depravity designed exactly for everyone who f'n' hates Christmas.
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.
I watched it for the first time last year (2021), too. I hadn’t sobbed that hard and that deeply in… well, I’m not sure how long. It’s easily an awakening that I needed watching this film to help me onto the right path. After I watched this, I applied to a faraway out of state school for my doctorate. And they accepted me. Without this movie, I don’t think I would’ve made the move and believed in myself and the power I have to help people ❤
I was the same way when I was younger. My parents always watched it but I was never interested because it was in black and white. Finally watched it with them about 5-6 years ago and it’s now one of my favorite movies, and definitely my favorite Christmas movie. In fact, I even insisted we watch it this year when they wanted to watch something else. Of course, after the movie they were glad they did
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."
"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!
It does summarize - in one line - the ultimate truth of this story... that wealth can’t just be measured by money and that the value of having friends and family surpasses material wealth.
Agree completely on the modern cinema comment. I think part of it is that, unlike today, those older movies had to tread REALLY carefully when they took their main characters to really dark mental and emotional places. They needed the audience to actually invest in what they were seeing, not just getting popcorn-entertainment value out of it. My personal favorite of all time is "Casablanca," where Bogart masks his depression and sense of rejection by Ilsa, and actually the entire Western world (as he can't ever go back to the States for unclear reasons), in a facade of absolute neutrality and light quippy sarcasm - and is smart enough to never touch alcohol, as it removes the filter between his brain and his mouth. When he finally DOES get drunk after Ilsa reappears in his life, we REALLY see the depths of bitterness, ugliness and anger festering in his soul. And the filmmakers trust the audience to connect those dots and realize he's much worse off than we're even seeing, as the scene is short. It hits HARD because they had to write carefully and avoid certain concepts at the time, but trusted the audience enough to do some work to appreciate everything. So...when he's redeemed (mostly, anyway) at the end of the film, the audience is fully on board and emotionally investment in that redemption. Today, it's easy for filmmakers to show literally anything on-screen. But that means they don't have to make the audience think for the reward anymore. It's often just a sound-and-light show. Sure, there are good movies being today, but I can't think of a single truly great one. Some are thought-provoking (just off the top of my head, I think "The Truman Show" is very underrated in that regard), but they don't hit that "great" category.
@@lonelocustoftheapocalypse3700 Looks like I'm in the right place. While I've always maintained that "It's a Wonderful Life" as my favorite film, I recently had the pleasure to see Casablanca on the silver screen. I was reminded why Casablanca is in my top 5 of all time. And I know what you're talking about with Rick and the scene where he gets drunk. The look on Bogart's face is amazing to the point I've tried to find a print of that very scene/moment.
@@hiredgun7996 man, Casablanca and It’s a Wonderful Life are both in my top three movies. I tell ya, you guys are alright. Let me know if you want to start a movie club ha ha
IIRC Stewart was on the bombing mission that set Dresden on fire, unintentionally. Now it's shrugged off as the misfortunes of war, but a lot of innocent people were killed, horribly. That haunted him for the rest of life and he used the angst to give his roles and an intensity and passion he didn't have previously.
@@daniel8181You don’t hear anything about the bombing of the UK, Poland or the mass murder committed by the Nazis. Nazis have no right to complain about “war crimes” because they started it.
That could be due to various reasons, like for example, media was lot more controlled back then compared to now. And nowdays businessmen being good-old businessmen, trying to profit from LGBTQ popularity and get positive reception from media.
@@Luca-bv5ic You're just assuming, I watched good and great modern movies that had depth with great storyline, I just made an example don't get too serious about it.
@Haven Yeah, I mean nobody thinks that people who likes to shove politics down our throat and cooperatives makes for the most best the storytellers out there. But that former example only applies to political propagandists.
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...
I think he felt guilty for endangering the people who trusted him. People then cared about more than their own skin but Millenials who are totally self absorbed will never get that.
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.
There are so many moments that movie that are almost too real. Like when he has a nightmare day at work and comes home and his kids are playing in their innocence and as much as he tries he just cannot reconcile the horrible reality he faces in the adult world with the play of his own children.
I think it becomes received wisdom that it's a sentimental movie, from people who have never watched it. It's like the critics who complained that "Red Dawn" was a pro-American gung-ho movie. Sure, it had some of that. But it was a freakin' tragedy of kids who sacrificed themselves before they should have, who never knew if their sacrifice was worth it.
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.
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!
"The brightest light is invisible. It shines through our deeds, and warms the universe." ~ Chronicles of Courage and Conviction by Captain Dylan Hunt(Ret), CY 9817 - Andromeda, Season 4, "The Warmth of an Invisible Light"
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.
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.
To the point that she became a mousy spinster because Jimmy Stewart's character wasn't there to marry her. Probably not the most impowering woman movie ever made. Hard to imagine Donna Reed as a mousy spinster. Maybe there was more backstory to be revealed that led her to that point (the town going to hell and her being abused in some fashion?). Zemeckis borrowed heavily from this movie for Back to the Future II.
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.
Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol starring Alistair Sim is THE Christmas movie. Wonderful Life close 2nd. Christmas Vacation strong 3rd....followed by Elf.
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.
actually what made me realise he cared is that he doesn't just dismiss ALL modern movies, and actually recommends some of the good ones like the Lighthouse and Le Mans 66.
@@Luca-bv5ic I have the feeling that Drinker did not make videos about "Schindler´s List","the Pianist" or "The boy in the Striped pyjamas" is because even he does not feel worthy of actually reviewing and critizicing them,not only because they are great movies,but also because the Drinker seems to be someone who knows just what kind of impact a review can have,and that a video about the mentioned movies can never truly pay tribute to the kind of terror and horror they depict
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.
When he was interviewed by the BBC for the World At War documentary in the seventies, he asked that his intro label on screen should read "James Stewart, Bomber Commander," because of his service.
Well said sir. Perhaps he was suffering from what is now called PTSD. Bomber crews witnessed some of worst horrors of war, watching comrades in arms falling out of sky in flames and not a damn thing you can do to help. Moms oldest sister dated Jimmy for brief time, They lived in same town of Indiana Pa. Wonder what her life might have been had they continued the relationship.
@@roadglide1745 Wow. Yeah, my grandfather was RAF. He lived through the war, but many of his fellow officers did not. Going down in flames is not a nice way to go. Those men were unbelievably brave.
@@roadglide1745 He remained on the Air Force reserve and held general's rank at one point, even did some short tours in Korea and Vietnam I believe. I gather he viewed his service with a mix of pain and pride, pride at his having served and gotten to know so many brave men, and pain from having known and doubtless watched so many lose their lives, or suffer mental and physical scars. Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg were supposed to have been working on a series about the 8th Air Force, in the vein of The Pacific and Band of Brothers, over the past few years. I hope it gets made someday
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.
Almost remainds history of "Sink The Bismarck!" (1960) - to quote: [..] Esmond Knight as Captain Leach of HMS Prince of Wales. (Knight served as a gunnery officer on board Prince of Wales, and was seriously injured and blinded during the battle with Bismarck.) [..]
“After the war, both Capra and Stewart were considered has-beens...” Me: ...THEY WILLINGLY SERVED IN THE WAR! If that isn’t honorable, then Hollywood has no hon- *oh wait*
@@brainiac.computer Ever heard of American Major General Smedley Butler or his book, _"War is a Racket"?_ He wrote, *“I spent 33 years and four months in active military service...* And during that period *I spent more of my time being **_a high-class muscle man for Big Business,_* for Wall Street and for the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, *a gangster for capitalism."* General Butler warned us about this in *_1935,_* kept warning us when WW2 started, and did not stop warning us until his death in 1940. The good general was dead just _four months_ before the McCollum Memo, and its detailed explanation on how to provoke Japan into attacking the US (through aggressive military maneuvers and crippling sanctions), was released. The honor of fighting in these wars has been dubious long before rhetoric like "Iraq has weapons of mass destruction."
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.
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.
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.
When my daughter (15) watched this scene earlier this year for the first time, she asked: "Is she black?" (She's not used to black-and-white movies, so she obviously wasn't sure about it.) When I said yes, she replied: "Then why are they so nice to her? I thought people back then were horrible to people of colour." I told her that there have always been nice people at all times who didn't care about such differences.
"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'.
"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!.
In so many ways that slapping would later take his manhood and perhaps the last chance to fulfill his dreams. The slapping is what caused his bad ear, which in turn made him unfit for military service in the war. No D-Day, no Remagen Bridge, no gold wings and ironically no bomber missions over Europe. IMO the military service would have given George Bailey his opportunity to go out into the world and build those bridges and dams and railroads and airports that he dreamt of doing. Pardon if this comment may hijack this thread, all I want to do is to share this with you.
So the myth has been generated. Next you'll be telling me that Jack Palance had PTSD and channeled it in his performance in "Shane" and that Sir Christopher Lee had PTSD from his wartime experiences which he channeled in to Saruman.
@@Hiraghm Stewart's wartime actions - including piloting multiple high-risk bombing missions over Germany - are no myth, but factual and well-documented history. After the war, Stewart decided to retire from acting, and to run his family's tiny store before Capra convinced him to star in this film. By all accounts, Stewart was suffering from fairly-severe PTSD at this time. His depression, rage and self-loathing (that is very obviously displayed in this film) was not a performance, but an expression of his true feelings after experiencing the horror of the second world war. Bear in mind that Stewart was always an empathetic man, and experiencing the death of his friends in the Air Force, as well as his guilt for flying bombing missions over Germany (which certainly killed many, many Germans) affected him deeply. Fun fact: Jimmy Stewart was so dedicated to joining the military to contribute to the war effort that he hired a personal fitness trainer to gain weight in order to meet the military's minimum weight requirement for enlistment. Stewart volunteered and hoped to be enlisted several times before this, but was rejected because his weight was below the minimum requirement of the armed forces. Jimmy Stewart was a TRUE f*cking hero, and not a Hollywood hero like John wayne. He piloted numerous missions over Germany during WW2, and is perhaps the greatest American hero of all time.
@@donaldtusk2678 that whole behind the scenes clip of him explaining what a man sounds like when he’s being stabbed to Peter Jackson, and Jackson’s reaction to Lee’s nonchalant attitude, is absolutely hilarious to me. Then again, the more you learn about Lee and his life, the more I’d want to see an entire miniseries dedicated to it, or at least a highly dedicated biography (I’d say autobiography, but It seemed like Lee didn’t like to talk about himself as much as he’d rather learn about others, but that’s just my opinion)
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.
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
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.
@@SSingh-nr8qz That is a sad reality, I'm only 45 but I do see lots of people with kids, gradkids, etc getting shoved in homes and forgotten, heck I'm only an uncle, what's in store for me?
@@SSingh-nr8qz Agreed. Success has many parents, but fail, and you fail alone. Watch how fast they run away. On Christmas Day 2015, I emigrated to a different country. Did not speak the language. Had no one with me. Just some cash, and my spirit. Five years later I am self-employed, running a growing business, and optimistic about the future. I still don't speak Czech.
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.
@@russelldodd6087 Hi, are you new on earth? if so you are lucky, just keep your head down and stay away of MSM and you wont hear their version of what is evil.
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.
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.
Fact of the matter is, the issues adults face arent obvious to kids, and when your main concerns in life change from whatever makes you have fun, or whatever homework you have, to taking care of all those around you, the relatable story of a man worth more dead than alive goes to show the sacrifices men, and adults in general, make in our lives so we all can live happy in ignorant bliss. When youre a kid.. its a funny fairly odd parents skit. When youre an adult... its a reality oh too true.
I've appreciated it since I first became aware of it in the early 80s. I was a little reserved the first time I sat down to watch the colorized version, but I immediately found I can appreciate that version too. Though the nostalgia factor of the black and white has always been the best for me; it makes me feel like I was alive then and can almost 'remember' it. Some years I'm not all that interested in sitting down to watch it, but then every time I do I get pulled in.
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.
Watched it as a teenager. Granted, I'd been through a lot by then and felt useless. But I was also young and less able to hear the point of the story, just thought it was depressing, confirming my own fears, because I was too afraid in youth to Pay Attention. Now I get it. Better you saw it as an adult.
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.
Individuals should be granted a plot of land without loans if they spend time in honest defence of their land . . the current banker Crown system triple dips into the serfs pocket & leaves them owing the company store . . the property they 'mortgage/death grip' is never owned outright due to if land tax's/council rates / lease hold fee's actual (for efficient tax/theft purpose's) etc . . not paid = confiscation of the plot eventual with caveat's etc . . the triple dip is they still expect you to get your head shot off in the military for one of their grand money making schemes oversea's
Yes, I think fellow like George and his Pop, those not sociopathically selfish enough to bleed people without conscience have had the disadvantage in today's business world outcomes... At least where I live, I can tell about that.
@@spatulasnout Cities & flats & units . . strata titles etc. . it's your business if you want to mire yourself in their world . . physical land itself is not in short supply . . worked around Oz on drillrigs & lived big myself outback , land itself is needed to attempt to farm & be self sufficient from the vampires . . those terms mean hardship but potential survival . . property in cities & flats & units etc . . should only be owned for investment purposes as in renting to those that work there . . never live in' a flat owned unless on deathbed
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.
The detail of the scene where he has a little area of model bridges and designs next to Mary's craft area and he attacks that specifically almost subliminal yet it enhances the moment
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 😱😱
@@johnglue1744 never knew about the remake is it any good? Might track it down and give it a shot, but this film is definitely a classic. I remember watching it every Christmas as it was always on, it's one of them things that makes you feel like Christmas has started if that makes sense, certain songs do it as well.
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
Actually, I think it gets a little blurry at that point, because Capra added the zoom-in in post production. But even the blurriness benefits the scene - as if it's not staged, but like a candid camera that caught a true moment of emotion. 10/10 movie.
Stewart’s best scene is the silent walk he does on the train platform having just learned Harry is getting a wife and fabulous career all at once. This means Harry won’t be taking over the Building And Loan, knows his future dreams just blasted out of existence but rises to the best and proper option with the silent decision playing on his face. His mind alone is at work in the crucial plot point. Jimmy Stewart ruled!!
lol i agree, i remember when this channel barely had 50k subs. now its half a million. amazing growth. nice to see people still recognize quality of content and character!.
@@AnnoyingMoose the list changes person to person, but these are constants: Glory Toy Story 3 Old Yeller Up Saving Private Ryan The Dirty Dozen Rudy The Green Mile
@@AnnoyingMoose I'm going to say: Field of Dreams Old Yeller Shane Turner and Hooch Rudy Lord of the Rings Remember the Titans And if you don't cry at the little girl's tearful speech in Man From Nowhere then you have no heart.
@@magnificus8581 I completely agree with Toy Story 3, Old Yeller, and especially UP. I watched Up with my wife after we had our 3rd miscarriage and after she herself died Dec. 3, 2016 even the thought of the opening montage starts to bring a tear to my eye.
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.
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.
My favorite part is when Bert finds George on the bridge towards the end. It’s such a satisfying payoff to the bleak alternate reality where George never was born. You really feel George’s horror and shock when he realizes how much his life truly mattered, and when he’s called to by name, it feels so great. The ending is one of the best ever put to film.
George Bailey's character developed more in thirty minutes than Rey's did in three hundred.
@Isle OfDonSpuart She was a woman.
That counts as character development, these days.
what's a Rey
than Rey's did in three hundred movies.
Or Poe. Or Finn. Or Kylie Ren. The sequel movies weren’t much for characterization.
Yeah, when you think of a classic like Buffy, to realize everything today is shit.
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.
Thank you for the info :)
So kind of like how Die Hard became a Xmas movie (minus the flopping part).
@@blenderbender2335 I'm glad you found it interesting.
@@archstanton9073 Exactly. Funny how my two favorite Christmas movies weren't intended to be Christmas movies.
It really didn’t fail. It just didn’t make a big profit. I think that the issue was that it came out right after the war where people had been to hell and back and were looking for something lighter.
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…
Wow. I never thought about it like that.
That's an insightful point.
Perfect comparison
Wow that was insightful
It's the way remakes should be done. Took core elements and re made it into something different but equally wonderful
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!"
Me too
Same here, but that might be the whiskey. Either way, The Drinker nails it again.
Same
I’m not crying, you’re crying....
Me too
I have the feeling that our current society is the one where George Bailey was never born. Can we have him back please?
Oh there has been some world-hopping. Look at the Mandela Effect. Scientists are out there theorizing the opposite end of a black hole and wormholes but they're like "alternate world-hopping by a small population? can't be"
We need more George Baileys in the world
The world without George was a better world. He is pushing subprime mortgages on people who can't afford a loan....Potter helped his town.
@@shadowpathfinder7723 It's more plausible that this phenomena is something similar like déjà vu.
(Just because some ppl, have bad memory doesn't mean we need to turn existing physics upside down. lol.
Extraordinary theories require extraordinary evidence.)
@@nealsterling8151 Existing physics already doesn't work. You have two separate rules for quantum and non-quantum instead of one rule with an exponential gradiant and scientists keep adding mass and energy via dark matter/energy to a closed system. Hell, the speed of light has changed at least twice since 1980. Dark matter/energy are the "god of the gaps" of science. Have you seen Quantum Immortality theory?
Amazon precedes this film with a trigger warning.
"Foul language, violence and drug use"
What? What new Hell are we living in?
Gotta appease the alphabet crowd now sadly.
Amazon has gone full retard
and thats why i drink... rum on me pirate ship
Then my options are either:
(1) Buy the disc before trigger warnings get slapped on that
(2) Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of rum!
The most violent thing that happens in this is a dude gets punched. Like seriously.
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.
He is the example of what a man should be. Much love to your Father. He sounds like a class act.
He sounds like a good man. Give him a pint this Christmas and your upmost thanks for the struggles he endured.
My grandfather lost both parents in a car accident when he was 17, in the middle of the Depression. He never gave up, either. I learned so much from him.
He cries out of love I'm sure, not sadness. Hope you give him big hugs like you might have as a toddler, that's probably what he loves more than anything.
Your grandfather hooked up with special people?
They don't make them like Donna Reed anymore. What a class act beauty!
Or Maureen O'Hara.
Damn right! Give me the women of the 40’s and 50’s any day of the week over the “women” we have now.
@@steelerfreak1977 This is one thing that taught me that Hollywood , msm and feminists lied. They said that women were enslaved and oppressed. One viewing of Doris Day in Calamity Jane put paid to that utter lie.
@@steelerfreak1977 I think that’s almost entirely down to changing fashions and beauty standards. As an active hater of jeans and joggers I have to agree with you. Not like men only wear suits and act like gentlemen either. Maybe we should all just get in a time machine back to the 40s/50s minus all the war and lack of human rights, and definitely take modern plumbing standards with us.
Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Hedy Lamarr, Elizabeth Taylor etc, etc. We'll never experience that ridiculous amount of class and beauty ever again in Hollywood. Those were the days.
"The richest man in town." It took me becoming an adult to understand he wasn't talking about money.
Yes. Ugh, fuck, just this comment chokes me up.
Deep down, is this the true treasure in life
Really, I understood what he meant even as a kid. Not saying that as a one up, but to emphasize that the movie always meant a lot to me.
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.
Brilliantly put.
Funniest part is that the "message" of the movie is _All Lives Matter..._
Brilliant.
@@_XR40_ don't sully this film with modern impressions. Leave it unsullied.
(claps).
I couldn't agree more. Well said.
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.
Yep, because every grown man can relate to it. We've seen our fathers have moments like that and we were scared, confused. Then you grow up and see it from your Dad's eyes. We understand. We're fighting the same battle now, and we're just as pissed. But like our Dad, we don't ever want our kids to think of us as the monster. We so desperately want our children to know we love them, and we never want to fail them.
it was his son he was hugging, but yes,
For me, I had to have my children (well, my wife to bear my children) to really understand and feel this.
Agreed!
I didn't find it funny at all from the beginning of the scene. It hits too close to home. Taking out your anger on your kids for minor things they might have done or not done, while in reality, you're just so miserable inside. This is the hardest part of the movie to watch for me. This feeling of having failed your kids despite so desperately trying to do right by them.
Everytime Harry says, "To my big brother George: The Richest Man in Town!"
I always cheer while a tear hits my eye.
no matter how many times i watch this movie that scene (and a few others) brings a tear to my eye
I teared up just watching this review. Pitiful. I know.
@@stephenjohnson7915 don’t feel too bad. I’m right there with you, wishin those damn ninjas would lay off the onions....
That scene and when they read Sam Wainwright’s telegram. Both scenes get me. The telegram scene is the pre-game and the toast scene is Game Over!
I never get outwardly emotional watching a movie even though I am deeply moved. This is one of the very few movies that moves me outwardly and the only one that does it every time I watch.
Even "the angel gets his wings" line from precious Zuzu hits even more....
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.
This is very true, and he later said that filming the movie helped him cope with that PTSD.
I believe he flew Liberators.
Almost. He flew B-24s
Jimmy Stewart actually went on to become a 2 star General.
Douglas Fairbanks Jr. too
“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 part where he reads the message from Clarence in the book whilst his friends are singling Auld Lang Syne. Fuck those onions are strong
driven by a Terminator.
Yes!
The line that gets me, as the oldest of 8 kids, is when Harry salutes his brother at the end.
It's also one of the best arguments in support of individual liberty vs equality.
"For want of a nail the horse was lost;
For want of a horse the knight was lost;
For want of a knight the battle was lost;
For want of a battle the war was lost;
For want of a war the kingdom was lost;
All for a horseshoe nail"
George mattered because Harry mattered. Harry mattered because Harry saved the men on that transport, who then went on to stop the Wehrmacht. Or the Imperial Japanese, I forget where Harry was deployed.
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.
Merry Christmas
Absolutely, that line from Harry has me in bits every damn time
And all earned, and all damned honest.
I love it when Harry says that. To Harry, it was about all the money George received. But to the viewer, and of course George, it was about being rich in life. I absolutely love this movie
I blubber like a baby when Harry says that. 😭
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
Wow.
My favorite Christmas movie of all time
It’s the best Christian movie as well
In Brugge is more of a christmas movie than this...
As much as I love this film, it's weird how people seem to have forgotten about the ultimate Christmas classic: Miracle on 34th - the original from 1947.
Frank Capra's classic deals with tons of dark and social subjects to be a "pure" Christmas movie.
TH-cam says: "Every time a Drinker drinks, an angel gets his wings."
That's a lot of wings.
@@FatNorthernBigot Lol
That's right. That's right. Adaboy Drinker. 😉
.... and some hot beauty somewhere looses virginity ;)
The Lord said he could call 12 legions of angels. And that WAS before the Drinker got started!
See, Kathleen Kennedy, that's called "character development".
Something you still haven't got yet.
The thing that hag will never learn.
It's almost like being TOLD a character is awesome is a rubbish way to convey their skill.
In a single movie, mind you
I watched the Last Crusade a few days ago and got surprised I saw her name in the opening credits. That was a shock.
She really wasn't involved, she was the pass around girl. It's probably why she's such a miserable bore now.
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
So much this. Watched it the other day and the whole time I'm thinking "Wow what an amazing wife and partner she was to him. That's the type of female I want in my life." True love right there. Those types seem hard to come by these days..
Seen as how this movie is old i wont point out your virtue signaling
@@TheMythMaiden well said Ms Stayman
@@TheMythMaiden 👏👏👏
I like to think that since WW2 was almost over, George used the raise he got at the end to take Mary on the honeymoon they missed out on. They've got loving friends and family who can care for the kids while they're away. He can use leftover money to help The Building and Loan be better. George can save for when or if his kids attend college too.
Best line in the whole movie:
*"To my big brother George, the richest man in town"*
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
Shell Shock!
You can see the PTSD and trauma in how his persona and career changed. Before the war his characters were suave, funny, and confident, even cocky. After the war his characters are anxious, damaged, and angry, just trying to get through. It's poignant in context.
Is that the reason why he always seemed so sheepish in his movies and a slight repeat of his words.
As George falls into despair he begins fighting and arguing with everyone Everything becomes magnified. Even the loose banister is cause for fury and proof of ones failure. This is absolutely real behavior and Stewart’s slow building anger is so realistic that it’s scary. Capra and Stewart just understood people so well.
I'm a little surprised the Drinker didn't mention that Stewart's performance was, at times, not a performance.
I cried just watching THIS. Whoever hasn't seen this movie, don't miss it.
ISTR Batman not being able to "make it past the title"...
@Wendy S. Funny you say that cause...😂😂
I second this emotion.
Ditto here Wendy, didn't make it to the end
It's the only movie that makes me cry like a baby it's incredible
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!
"...well, it truly IS a wonderful life."
Oh, you soppy old boozer, you.
It truly IS a wonderful life.
I'll drink to that, mate!
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.
Same with the actor Christopher Lee, who was even more "badass" than Stewart, having served in the SAS during the war, even though he started out as a RAF pilot. In fact, story goes that Lee had advised the movie director Peter Jackson on the finer details of killing people for authenticity.
DSWynne Christopher Lee was truly an incredible man. Who else could make a metal album in their 80’s?
Also if I recall correctly that story about Lee and Jackson was specifically about what a person getting stabbed sounds like. Which is just about the most terrifying and hardcore thing ever. Also he was SOE not SAS, which is even more badass.
The fact that he was that badass, yet still a good man and a true gentleman really hits home that they don't make them like that anymore.
@@MaxwellAerialPhotography Yep, PJ relates it in his commentary for ROTK, extended cut, during the Orthanc stabbing scene.
He was top notch.
>someone mentions "Its a Wonderful Life"
>i start crying like a child
Don't we all.
>green text
The local theater had It's a Wonderful Life this week with three showings. All showings were sold out.
I ugly cry once every year. It's when I watch this movie around Christmas time.
Me Too! It's the only time of the year I'm not my usual, cynical s.ob. self.
For as much as you all claim to be wise to the attacks on traditional life you sure seem to embrace this modern day pansy crap that it's "cool to cry", and brag to everyone about it. Pathetic.
@@mattstorm6568 Oh Matty, please tell me you're joking.
Only once a year? Lucky. Still, you're right, it's a very touching film.
@@mattstorm6568 I think you confuse showing emotion, with being a sensitive crybaby and professional victim. No one has ever complained about Will Smiths character crying, in I am legend, when he has to choke his dog, his only friend for years, to death, because she's changing into a zombie.
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!
That's a nice story, so thanks for sharing. Congratulations on your daughter. If you and your wife think you couldn't sleep _before_ she was born...haha
That is a wonderful story. And thank you so much for sharing it. Congratulations on the birth of your daughter! I bet she’s beautiful. ☺️☺️
Congratulations on the birth of your little angel! Thanks for sharing this.
@Penultimate H ...wrong comment thread? D:
Hope you have a wonderful life. 🙂
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 🎄
Merry Christmas to you and your wife 🎄✨
Merry Christmas to you as well. (Belated)
I stumbled across this on TV as a teenager, coming in at the bridge/suicide scene, and I was hooked. Took a year or two to catch it from the beginning to see it all. Truly a masterpiece of story-telling, with some of the best actors to ever grace a screen. It should bring a tear to every eye in Hollywould-if-they-could just to think how low they have sunk, even with all the technology at their fingertips.
Making kids do something always makes them love it.
@@oldgettingolderhopefully6997 The problem is that Hollywood has basically become Mr. Potter. I think they're mostly incapable of being truly moved by anything outside money and power.
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.
Great comment!
My theory is Uncle Billy has severe undiagnosed ADHD, which leads to his eccentric hobbies and forgetfulness. His whole experience losing the money, retracing his steps, tearing his office apart, and getting yelled at and breaking down afterward is honestly too relatable as an ADHDer.
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.
Thanks for the trivia. Makes me appreciate things more.
How is that a fun fact?
@@thebeatnumber maybe not necessarily a "fun fact" but a very interesting one.
proof please?
You don't have to have PTSD to be desperate and suicidal. Doubly so to ACT desperate and suicidal.
He was an amazing actor. I forget his airport / plane movie, but Rear Window (?) was awesome. Like Christopher Reeves, he used himself, his body, mannerisms, ect etc for bringing that character to a new level. Like in Wonderful Life, he channels and converts that pain and suffering into an art form. He's not only an inspiration but should he a standard in Hollywood
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.
It is just, simply put, a great film. No fluff, no extra dialogue the director wanted to lecture on. Just a classic film with a great message.
Maybe one day but not today, not tomorrow or the next year, but one day hopefully..
Actually there are still these kind of movies. For example, some movies I recently watched:
Flipped - th-cam.com/video/92SgWpDYjlo/w-d-xo.html
No reservations - th-cam.com/video/APNTQlcbNAI/w-d-xo.html
Bumblebee - th-cam.com/video/fAIX12F6958/w-d-xo.html
Alphas - th-cam.com/video/uIxnTi4GmCo/w-d-xo.html
Chef - th-cam.com/video/FF_rYNupPwg/w-d-xo.html
Try watching them.
Pls delete that comment , i really don't want some alphabet director take this too serious and we get female version like ghost busters
@@kz3dart Don't worry, they'd have to watch this first, and they usually don't leave their bubble.
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.
Thanks for sharing. Your life matters
Keep this important story going. How are you today? What’s going on for you? I want you to succeed. I’ll pray for you.
I'm so glad you didn't put your dark thoughts into action. I've been there, too. Several times. Fuck, I'm crying now. I can tell you that it's always worth going on and trying again. You're still so young, you have so many time ahead of you to turn things around. Success is not what society tells us. Otherwise, Mr. Potter would be the most successful man in this movie.
The story is actually set (sort of) in Western NY. Bedford Falls is inspired by Seneca Falls, NY.
“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.
it’s definitely direct on the message it is trying to convey. The setting and technology are an afterthought
Or focus tested and reshaped by committee.
Agreed. Timeless movies also tend to deal with aspects of the human condition, not externalities.
@@Carfalog exactly. Movies/novels that deal with social or political topics cannot be defined with a single conversation because they are far too complex and nuance. These are the stories that stick with us. Good stories define an age, not a momentary fad.
"It... has its moments." Bruce Wayne, c. 1992.
You know you've got a winner when even Batman approves.
Says a lot that most would rather watch this Christmas masterpiece than almost 85% of the Garbage givin us in our day!
Yes sir
A good film lives far beyond its release date. Most of the crap that comes out today is forgotten within days.
But, Kirk Cameron saved xmas!
@@lonniemeredith4370 It's Christmas.
See also: the 2019 BBC version of "A Christmas Carol," a 3-hour slog of bleakness and depravity designed exactly for everyone who f'n' hates Christmas.
I’m named after George Bailey because my parents love his character so much. A truly perfect movie.
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.
It's truly an incredible movie and premise. Merry Christmas , and a happy New Year!!
I watched it for the first time last year (2021), too. I hadn’t sobbed that hard and that deeply in… well, I’m not sure how long. It’s easily an awakening that I needed watching this film to help me onto the right path. After I watched this, I applied to a faraway out of state school for my doctorate. And they accepted me.
Without this movie, I don’t think I would’ve made the move and believed in myself and the power I have to help people ❤
I was the same way when I was younger. My parents always watched it but I was never interested because it was in black and white. Finally watched it with them about 5-6 years ago and it’s now one of my favorite movies, and definitely my favorite Christmas movie. In fact, I even insisted we watch it this year when they wanted to watch something else. Of course, after the movie they were glad they did
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."
*handrubbing intensifies*
Movies these days are full of SJW bullshit. No more classics like this will ever be made again .
mark jagger dunno, but just ask him if he can say the word 'Jew' without spitting it
"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!
It's the money line of the film. George IS the richest man in town, in the only way that really matters.
I literally said that exact thing to my wife last night. That swell of cheers right when he says that line is part of it too
It does summarize - in one line - the ultimate truth of this story... that wealth can’t just be measured by money and that the value of having friends and family surpasses material wealth.
My eyes well up just reading this line... It's so good!!
Shit, I teared up watching that scene in THIS video!
My all time favourite movie. There is nothing in modern cinema that comes even close to this.
Try the 2011 _Jane Eyre_ (Mia Wasikowska) which is as good as a modern film can be.
Agree completely on the modern cinema comment. I think part of it is that, unlike today, those older movies had to tread REALLY carefully when they took their main characters to really dark mental and emotional places. They needed the audience to actually invest in what they were seeing, not just getting popcorn-entertainment value out of it.
My personal favorite of all time is "Casablanca," where Bogart masks his depression and sense of rejection by Ilsa, and actually the entire Western world (as he can't ever go back to the States for unclear reasons), in a facade of absolute neutrality and light quippy sarcasm - and is smart enough to never touch alcohol, as it removes the filter between his brain and his mouth. When he finally DOES get drunk after Ilsa reappears in his life, we REALLY see the depths of bitterness, ugliness and anger festering in his soul. And the filmmakers trust the audience to connect those dots and realize he's much worse off than we're even seeing, as the scene is short. It hits HARD because they had to write carefully and avoid certain concepts at the time, but trusted the audience enough to do some work to appreciate everything. So...when he's redeemed (mostly, anyway) at the end of the film, the audience is fully on board and emotionally investment in that redemption.
Today, it's easy for filmmakers to show literally anything on-screen. But that means they don't have to make the audience think for the reward anymore. It's often just a sound-and-light show. Sure, there are good movies being today, but I can't think of a single truly great one. Some are thought-provoking (just off the top of my head, I think "The Truman Show" is very underrated in that regard), but they don't hit that "great" category.
Indeed - even scenes that would probably not work anywhere else work to perfection in IAWL.
@@lonelocustoftheapocalypse3700 Looks like I'm in the right place. While I've always maintained that "It's a Wonderful Life" as my favorite film, I recently had the pleasure to see Casablanca on the silver screen. I was reminded why Casablanca is in my top 5 of all time. And I know what you're talking about with Rick and the scene where he gets drunk. The look on Bogart's face is amazing to the point I've tried to find a print of that very scene/moment.
@@hiredgun7996 man, Casablanca and It’s a Wonderful Life are both in my top three movies. I tell ya, you guys are alright. Let me know if you want to start a movie club ha ha
Stewart had PTSD from his service in WWII. Some of the emotional scenes were more real than him just being a good actor.
Like the drinker said… earned.
IIRC Stewart was on the bombing mission that set Dresden on fire, unintentionally.
Now it's shrugged off as the misfortunes of war, but a lot of innocent people were killed, horribly. That haunted him for the rest of life and he used the angst to give his roles and an intensity and passion he didn't have previously.
@@DavidLeBlanc Thats horrible. Even worse to know there are people now who cheer for that disgusting operation.
@@daniel8181You don’t hear anything about the bombing of the UK, Poland or the mass murder committed by the Nazis. Nazis have no right to complain about “war crimes” because they started it.
When a 1940's movie had more depth than most movies today.
That could be due to various reasons, like for example, media was lot more controlled back then compared to now. And nowdays businessmen being good-old businessmen, trying to profit from LGBTQ popularity and get positive reception from media.
you must be watching very shallow movies. Not saying it's a wonderful life doesn't have depth, but so do plenty of modern movies.
@@Luca-bv5ic You're just assuming, I watched good and great modern movies that had depth with great storyline, I just made an example don't get too serious about it.
@@nnnnmhughuuhhjiijj9457 Yup that is why some viewers or movie goers hated it because it feel force which is true.
@Haven Yeah, I mean nobody thinks that people who likes to shove politics down our throat and cooperatives makes for the most best the storytellers out there. But that former example only applies to political propagandists.
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...
Like me, when you were younger, you had shitty friends. Enjoy the friends you have now, you chose them. And they will respect you for that.
...which would totally happen in real life if it wasn't a cheesy Hollywood happy-end.
@@LoserDestiny look at the real savings and loan scandal.
I think he felt guilty for endangering the people who trusted him. People then cared about more than their own skin but Millenials who are totally self absorbed will never get that.
@@nhmooytis7058 Sir, you got that right. People these days would have murdered Uncle Billy and sold his corpse to a medical facility for the $8000
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.
There are so many moments that movie that are almost too real. Like when he has a nightmare day at work and comes home and his kids are playing in their innocence and as much as he tries he just cannot reconcile the horrible reality he faces in the adult world with the play of his own children.
I think it becomes received wisdom that it's a sentimental movie, from people who have never watched it. It's like the critics who complained that "Red Dawn" was a pro-American gung-ho movie. Sure, it had some of that. But it was a freakin' tragedy of kids who sacrificed themselves before they should have, who never knew if their sacrifice was worth it.
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.
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!
"It... has its moments." Bruce Wayne, c. 1992.
You know you've got a winner when even Batman approves.
"The brightest light is invisible. It shines through our deeds, and warms the universe." ~ Chronicles of Courage and Conviction by Captain Dylan Hunt(Ret), CY 9817 - Andromeda, Season 4, "The Warmth of an Invisible Light"
jees..started on the drink early?
"It doesn't matter if you accept me or not. Here I am. Alive!"
Did you just say that the critic is credible because they reviewed a good film? What does that even mean
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.
This is the part of the movie that always hits me the hardest. When the camera zooms in and you see those words... It's genius.
That’s debatable
Anyone that is able to dodge the arrows of mis fortune/fate . . is a winner & make no mistake . . all they have to do is breed
@@redfordreddington8834 everything is debatable, change my mind.
I have no friends... thanks Clarence you vicious bastard
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.
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.
Those who down voted this..."Go Away Now"
The movie has a "Straight White Male" in the lead Soyflakes can't handle that they even exist.
The down votes are from the superficial movie critics of today that the Drinker mocked in this review.
It shows Clarence gifting a book written by Mark Twain! And Mark Twain used the N word in his writings!
HOW DARE YOU
To me, Donna Reed in this movie is a feminine ideal.
100% agreed my friend!
I read an essay once which made that point very well.
To the point that she became a mousy spinster because Jimmy Stewart's character wasn't there to marry her. Probably not the most impowering woman movie ever made. Hard to imagine Donna Reed as a mousy spinster. Maybe there was more backstory to be revealed that led her to that point (the town going to hell and her being abused in some fashion?). Zemeckis borrowed heavily from this movie for Back to the Future II.
Yes sir!
Seeing the drinker talk about movies hes passionate about brings a warm feeling to my heart.
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.
One of the most amazing pieces of acting -- without a word being spoken. Never short change Jimmy Stewart.
It's a Wonderful Life isn't a Christmas movie, it's THE Christmas movie.
I see you, and raise you...
It's THE movie
John McClane would like to have a word with you, zir.
@@s10Maniak Just spoke with John McClane, and he concurs: It is in fact THE Christmas movie.
Haven’t missed it in 50 years. Classic. Jimmy Stewart was a incredible actor, as well as a war hero.
Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol starring Alistair Sim is THE Christmas movie. Wonderful Life close 2nd. Christmas Vacation strong 3rd....followed by Elf.
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.
actually what made me realise he cared is that he doesn't just dismiss ALL modern movies, and actually recommends some of the good ones like the Lighthouse and Le Mans 66.
@@Luca-bv5ic I have the feeling that Drinker did not make videos about "Schindler´s List","the Pianist" or "The boy in the Striped pyjamas" is because even he does not feel worthy of actually reviewing and critizicing them,not only because they are great movies,but also because the Drinker seems to be someone who knows just what kind of impact a review can have,and that a video about the mentioned movies can never truly pay tribute to the kind of terror and horror they depict
This review is becoming a yearly tradition.
As wonderful as Frederick March was in "The Best Years of our Lives" the Oscar, that year, belonged to Jimmy Stewart.
Another one of my favorites.
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.
Love this film so much. It really gets depression and the performances are spectacular.
When he was interviewed by the BBC for the World At War documentary in the seventies, he asked that his intro label on screen should read "James Stewart, Bomber Commander," because of his service.
Well said sir. Perhaps he was suffering from what is now called PTSD. Bomber crews witnessed some of worst horrors of war, watching comrades in arms falling out of sky in flames and not a damn thing you can do to help.
Moms oldest sister dated Jimmy for brief time, They lived in same town of Indiana Pa. Wonder what her life might have been had they continued the relationship.
@@roadglide1745 Wow. Yeah, my grandfather was RAF. He lived through the war, but many of his fellow officers did not. Going down in flames is not a nice way to go. Those men were unbelievably brave.
@@roadglide1745 He remained on the Air Force reserve and held general's rank at one point, even did some short tours in Korea and Vietnam I believe. I gather he viewed his service with a mix of pain and pride, pride at his having served and gotten to know so many brave men, and pain from having known and doubtless watched so many lose their lives, or suffer mental and physical scars.
Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg were supposed to have been working on a series about the 8th Air Force, in the vein of The Pacific and Band of Brothers, over the past few years. I hope it gets made someday
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.
Almost remainds history of "Sink The Bismarck!" (1960) - to quote: [..] Esmond Knight as Captain Leach of HMS Prince of Wales. (Knight served as a gunnery officer on board Prince of Wales, and was seriously injured and blinded during the battle with Bismarck.) [..]
Thanks for the info 👍
Reminds me a lil bit of the first captain America movie
“After the war, both Capra and Stewart were considered has-beens...”
Me: ...THEY WILLINGLY SERVED IN THE WAR! If that isn’t honorable, then Hollywood has no hon- *oh wait*
@@brainiac.computer Ever heard of American Major General Smedley Butler or his book, _"War is a Racket"?_ He wrote, *“I spent 33 years and four months in active military service...* And during that period *I spent more of my time being **_a high-class muscle man for Big Business,_* for Wall Street and for the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, *a gangster for capitalism."*
General Butler warned us about this in *_1935,_* kept warning us when WW2 started, and did not stop warning us until his death in 1940. The good general was dead just _four months_ before the McCollum Memo, and its detailed explanation on how to provoke Japan into attacking the US (through aggressive military maneuvers and crippling sanctions), was released. The honor of fighting in these wars has been dubious long before rhetoric like "Iraq has weapons of mass destruction."
Man I love to hear about the Drinker talk about movies he loves. Its so refreshing from the rest of movie critics.
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.
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.
True. Like, if you don't get stirred at least a little by this movie, you're more than likely a danger to others.
This is by far the drinker's kindest "go away" I've ever heard.
It's a Christmas miracle!
LOL
Imagine if he ended with "...Go home now."
I was half expecting him to say "please" at the end.
well done my friend ....merry christmas
@SnapeInvader11
They’re waiting for you.
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.
“Did you hear that Annie??”
“I heard it! It’s about time one of you lunkheads said it.”
That might be my favorite scene of the whole movie.
When my daughter (15) watched this scene earlier this year for the first time, she asked: "Is she black?" (She's not used to black-and-white movies, so she obviously wasn't sure about it.) When I said yes, she replied: "Then why are they so nice to her? I thought people back then were horrible to people of colour." I told her that there have always been nice people at all times who didn't care about such differences.
@@DoloresLehmann It's a crime how kids get brainwashed at school
"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'.
Just thinking about the story made me cry. Modern cinema can't compare.
Modern cinema is on life support and going hard and fast down the drain.
Of course it can, but you’re hung up on nostalgia.
@@redfordreddington8834 Now Christmas Film is full of teenager drama and unnesesary of love story. Like Princess Switch 2 and the other
@@redfordreddington8834 ok, list some movies made since the 90's that can actually draw real emotions just by thought.
I'll wait.
As a jaded middle aged man, I cry once a year watching this movie
I feel your pain
"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!.
The ear slapping. The day he became an adult, and saved Mr Gower,s life.
He saved the person who the meds were for and Mr. Gower in one action
In so many ways that slapping would later take his manhood and perhaps the last chance to fulfill his dreams. The slapping is what caused his bad ear, which in turn made him unfit for military service in the war. No D-Day, no Remagen Bridge, no gold wings and ironically no bomber missions over Europe. IMO the military service would have given George Bailey his opportunity to go out into the world and build those bridges and dams and railroads and airports that he dreamt of doing.
Pardon if this comment may hijack this thread, all I want to do is to share this with you.
@@AtomicBabel The bad ear was caused an infection, not the slap.
@@pjshutout3480 thanks, looking forward to watching it again.
Jimmy Stewart had been a Bomber Pilot with the 8th Air Force, he apparently channelled his PTSD into his performance. A genuine hero.
So the myth has been generated.
Next you'll be telling me that Jack Palance had PTSD and channeled it in his performance in "Shane" and that Sir Christopher Lee had PTSD from his wartime experiences which he channeled in to Saruman.
@@Hiraghm Stewart's wartime actions - including piloting multiple high-risk bombing missions over Germany - are no myth, but factual and well-documented history.
After the war, Stewart decided to retire from acting, and to run his family's tiny store before Capra convinced him to star in this film.
By all accounts, Stewart was suffering from fairly-severe PTSD at this time. His depression, rage and self-loathing (that is very obviously displayed in this film) was not a performance, but an expression of his true feelings after experiencing the horror of the second world war.
Bear in mind that Stewart was always an empathetic man, and experiencing the death of his friends in the Air Force, as well as his guilt for flying bombing missions over Germany (which certainly killed many, many Germans) affected him deeply.
Fun fact: Jimmy Stewart was so dedicated to joining the military to contribute to the war effort that he hired a personal fitness trainer to gain weight in order to meet the military's minimum weight requirement for enlistment. Stewart volunteered and hoped to be enlisted several times before this, but was rejected because his weight was below the minimum requirement of the armed forces.
Jimmy Stewart was a TRUE f*cking hero, and not a Hollywood hero like John wayne. He piloted numerous missions over Germany during WW2, and is perhaps the greatest American hero of all time.
@@Hiraghm well he used his knowledge of stabbings to portray Sarumans death more accurately
@@donaldtusk2678 that whole behind the scenes clip of him explaining what a man sounds like when he’s being stabbed to Peter Jackson, and Jackson’s reaction to Lee’s nonchalant attitude, is absolutely hilarious to me. Then again, the more you learn about Lee and his life, the more I’d want to see an entire miniseries dedicated to it, or at least a highly dedicated biography (I’d say autobiography, but It seemed like Lee didn’t like to talk about himself as much as he’d rather learn about others, but that’s just my opinion)
@ Stewart was definitely heroic. No need to crap on the Duke and the Gipper though. 😏
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.
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
Me to
Please tell me the episode was called "It's A Wonderful Death"
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.
I wish that was true. When you get old, you will understand what I mean. Its a bitter realization that comes with time.
proof of this assertion?
@@SSingh-nr8qz That is a sad reality, I'm only 45 but I do see lots of people with kids, gradkids, etc getting shoved in homes and forgotten, heck I'm only an uncle, what's in store for me?
@@SSingh-nr8qz Agreed. Success has many parents, but fail, and you fail alone.
Watch how fast they run away. On Christmas Day 2015, I emigrated to a different country. Did not speak the language. Had no one with me. Just some cash, and my spirit. Five years later I am self-employed, running a growing business, and optimistic about the future.
I still don't speak Czech.
Well and simply put. We should all remember this simple truth and not forget that "Jesus is the reason for the season".
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.
Damn...
Humbug...what is Christmas but a poor excuse to pick a man's pockets.
Where on Earth have you read that is evil? Your Daily Mail perhaps?
@@russelldodd6087 Hi, are you new on earth? if so you are lucky, just keep your head down and stay away of MSM and you wont hear their version of what is evil.
@@russelldodd6087 Avoid twitter, modern academia and msm stuff like the guardian. They think this stuff is evil.
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.
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.
And when he gets kicked in the balls.
Personally: When your eyes are plucked, when you lament unto God, when a song moves your very spirit in euphoria.
@Ross Outdoors Nothing quite like a firm chorus-line style nad kicking from life to toughen your ass up.
Honourable survivable to an old age is a middle finger up to fortune . . which has't been so kind in past
Merry Christmas, old sport.
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.
Fact of the matter is, the issues adults face arent obvious to kids, and when your main concerns in life change from whatever makes you have fun, or whatever homework you have, to taking care of all those around you, the relatable story of a man worth more dead than alive goes to show the sacrifices men, and adults in general, make in our lives so we all can live happy in ignorant bliss.
When youre a kid.. its a funny fairly odd parents skit. When youre an adult... its a reality oh too true.
I've appreciated it since I first became aware of it in the early 80s. I was a little reserved the first time I sat down to watch the colorized version, but I immediately found I can appreciate that version too. Though the nostalgia factor of the black and white has always been the best for me; it makes me feel like I was alive then and can almost 'remember' it.
Some years I'm not all that interested in sitting down to watch it, but then every time I do I get pulled in.
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.
Watched it as a teenager. Granted, I'd been through a lot by then and felt useless. But I was also young and less able to hear the point of the story, just thought it was depressing, confirming my own fears, because I was too afraid in youth to Pay Attention. Now I get it. Better you saw it as an adult.
Jimmy Stewart delivers one of the greatest performances. A true beauty!
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.
Individuals should be granted a plot of land without loans if they spend time in honest defence of their land . . the current banker Crown system triple dips into the serfs pocket & leaves them owing the company store . . the property they 'mortgage/death grip' is never owned outright due to if land tax's/council rates / lease hold fee's actual (for efficient tax/theft purpose's) etc . . not paid = confiscation of the plot eventual with caveat's etc . . the triple dip is they still expect you to get your head shot off in the military for one of their grand money making schemes oversea's
Yes, I think fellow like George and his Pop, those not sociopathically selfish enough to bleed people without conscience have had the disadvantage in today's business world outcomes... At least where I live, I can tell about that.
@@benwinter2420 Agreed in sentiment; but plots of land can't scale. That's why our population centers live vertically.(Difficult problem to solve.)
@@spatulasnout The Vietnam conflict was all about the control of the south China sea's oilfields . . current dispute now
@@spatulasnout Cities & flats & units . . strata titles etc. . it's your business if you want to mire yourself in their world . . physical land itself is not in short supply . . worked around Oz on drillrigs & lived big myself outback , land itself is needed to attempt to farm & be self sufficient from the vampires . . those terms mean hardship but potential survival . . property in cities & flats & units etc . . should only be owned for investment purposes as in renting to those that work there . . never live in' a flat owned unless on deathbed
That was the most caring 'go away now' I've ever heard.
Someone should do a supercut of all of Drinker's "Go away now"s
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.
The detail of the scene where he has a little area of model bridges and designs next to Mary's craft area and he attacks that specifically almost subliminal yet it enhances the moment
i never thought i’d feel uplifted after a drinker video
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 😱😱
“Everybody’s grey...”
I hurt myself laughing over that! Brilliant!! 🤣🤣🤣👌🏻
Grey? I'm pretty sure, it was black and white, and it was back in 30s, it stayed that way until they found a way in 1951.
They made a remake with a woman in the 70s or 80s with That Girl.
@@nnnnmhughuuhhjiijj9457 r/woosh
@@johnglue1744 never knew about the remake is it any good? Might track it down and give it a shot, but this film is definitely a classic. I remember watching it every Christmas as it was always on, it's one of them things that makes you feel like Christmas has started if that makes sense, certain songs do it as well.
"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."
Hedonists take the L again, can we get an f in the chat boys
@@GyaruRespecter f
Ha ha
I know that u are trying to be funny, but u really miss the point entirely.
@@Chuby_ubesie Come on just give us this one... We all know this movie is one of the greatest of all time Idk think you need to convince anyone lol
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
Actually, I think it gets a little blurry at that point, because Capra added the zoom-in in post production. But even the blurriness benefits the scene - as if it's not staged, but like a candid camera that caught a true moment of emotion. 10/10 movie.
Stewart’s best scene is the silent walk he does on the train platform having just learned Harry is getting a wife and fabulous career all at once. This means Harry won’t be taking over the Building And Loan, knows his future dreams just blasted out of existence but rises to the best and proper option with the silent decision playing on his face. His mind alone is at work in the crucial plot point.
Jimmy Stewart ruled!!
Exactly this. It's such a subtle thing but this is Stewart's finest performance
It's a wonderful life.
Thanks to the Critical Drinker.
lol i agree, i remember when this channel barely had 50k subs. now its half a million. amazing growth. nice to see people still recognize quality of content and character!.
His dulcet Scottish tones warm my soul.
This is one of the 9 movies a man is allowed to cry when watching every time
What are the other 8??
@@AnnoyingMoose the list changes person to person, but these are constants:
Glory
Toy Story 3
Old Yeller
Up
Saving Private Ryan
The Dirty Dozen
Rudy
The Green Mile
@@AnnoyingMoose I'm going to say:
Field of Dreams
Old Yeller
Shane
Turner and Hooch
Rudy
Lord of the Rings
Remember the Titans
And if you don't cry at the little girl's tearful speech in Man From Nowhere then you have no heart.
@@magnificus8581 I completely agree with Toy Story 3, Old Yeller, and especially UP. I watched Up with my wife after we had our 3rd miscarriage and after she herself died Dec. 3, 2016 even the thought of the opening montage starts to bring a tear to my eye.
@@snarf4058 You laugh but I could 100% see Michael Bay or Zach Snyder making that movie.
Not just one of my favourite Christmas movies. One of my favourite movies period.
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.
Our teacher had us watch this in school when I was a kid on the last day before Christmas Break. I loved it.
It's A Wonderful Movie.
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.
My favorite part is when Bert finds George on the bridge towards the end. It’s such a satisfying payoff to the bleak alternate reality where George never was born. You really feel George’s horror and shock when he realizes how much his life truly mattered, and when he’s called to by name, it feels so great. The ending is one of the best ever put to film.
Do ya know me Bert? Do ya know me?
Drinker, you charismatic and erudite son of Bacchus, who knew you were such a softie at heart?😂👍 Merry Christmas sir!
ROFL! Love these comments!