Posted on 12/21/2014 7:36:31 AM PST by SeekAndFind
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) -- What's the best movie ever made? A subjective question, if ever there was one. That's the magic of movies: some folks will enjoy a film that may seem an endurance test for others.
While "Casablanca," "Citizen Kane" or "Lawrence of Arabia" may be prime examples of technical and artistic innovators, I challenge you to suggest a more important message than that found in "It's A Wonderful Life."
In this film about an angel sent to Earth to rescue a man on the brink of suicide, James Stewart's George Bailey is given the opportunity to see what his community would have been like had he never been born. Director Frank Capra reminds us that our compassion and responsibility make a difference in the lives of those with whom we come in contact.
The things we say and do affect the lives of others. Hard to top that concept. Well, what about the movies that tell of Jesus, you ask? Good question. You are astute.
I can recall countless moments in "Jesus movies" that have touched, taught and inspired me. "The Passion of The Christ," for example, dynamically reenacts the physical horrors Christ endured. The movie is not really about what mankind did to Him, but about what He did for us.
But I would submit that It's A Wonderful Life shows Christ's teachings being put into action by a Believer.
I concede that there is no scene showing George hearing the Gospel and responding to it, so I'm making an assumption. That's another magic of the medium: the best movies let us project our sensibilities onto a film's theme. But when you analyze the consistency of George's caring nature that puts others first, is it really difficult to see him as a man of faith?
Some may not consider my film choice worthy of the title "Best Film" due to my least favorite element in the story -- the goofy angel. Clarence is good for a couple of laughs, but what impresses me with each viewing is the nature of the protagonist.
George is a real person, one with faults and foibles as well as nobility. We're allowed to see him struggle with frustration ("Why do we have to have all these kids!"). He's not a saint, but neither is he the average guy.
George is a complex fellow. While he dreams of adventures, again and again, he sets aside what he wants in order to serve other people. Something has impacted him throughout his life, some element that causes him to continually see the value in others. What makes a man do that even during the depth of self-despair?
Even during a clouded moment when he considers the proposition that he's worth more dead than alive, he abandons his suicidal choice to rescue a drowning stranger. Suddenly, his convictions remind him of life's sanctity.
I like to think of this as an example of how Christ has affected George. Yeah, I'm projecting, but it does add up. Something very spiritual is going on in this guy.
These are other prime contenders for the best film of all time.
The Oscar winning "All About Eve" has sophisticated dialogue unlike any other. "The Tree of Life" is a visual and viscerally emotional feast, with its exquisite imagery used to make profound statements. "Dr. Strangelove" is perhaps the best example of comic point-making satire. And each new "Star Wars" entry wows with special effects.
But the greatest aspect of any film is that which explores the soul of man. Without any sermons or altar calls, It's a Wonderful Life reveals how God's love transforms and sustains. For me, that makes it the best film of all time.
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In addition to writing for Baptist Press, Phil Boatwright reviews films for www.previewonline.org and is a regular contributor to "The World and Everything In It," a weekly radio program from WORLD News Group.
Indiana Jones and the last crusade, Last of the Mohicans, and Back to the future.
Sharknado!
Dude, Where’s My Car?
RE: It’s A Wonderful Life - The Lost Ending
Well, let’s show it to Bernie Madoff....
Thanks for the recommendation. I’d always heard of it but I never saw it. I just now watched it on Amazon Prime. Excellent movie, very touching.
Someone doesn't think "The Princess Bride" isn't he best movie ever made? Inconceivable.
80 plus comments into the thread and no mention yet of American in Paris or Singing In The Rain?
One word. Borat.
Well put.
I agree on “Citizen Kane”. Most over rated movie-ever. I never like it.
Never seen it...perhaps I’ll catch it when my nursing home days roll around...
The original Godzilla...followed by the original Gammera. Surely, these are in the running!
Plan 9 From Outer Space.
Glad you enjoyed it. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Seven Samurai, 1954: Akira Kurosawa, director
Gone with the Wind, 1939: Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland
Los Olvidados, 1950; Luis Bunuel, director
East of Eden, 1955; Elia Kazan, director; James Dean; Julie Harris
The Godfather, Part I, 1972, and Part I, 1974: Francis Ford Coppola, director; Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall
Educating Rita, 1983: Lewis Gilbert, director; Julie Walters, Michael Caine
Body Heat, 1981: Lawrence Kasdan, director; William Hurt, Kathleen Turner
The Sixth Sense, 1999: Night Shyamalan, director; Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Haley Joel Osment
Roman Holiday, 1953: William Wyler, director; Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Eddie Albert
The Yearling, 1946: Clarence Brown, director; Claude Jarman, Jr., Jane Wyman, Gregory Peck
Casino Royale, 2006; Martin Campbell, Director; Daniel Craig; Eva Green
American Beauty, 1999: Sam Mendes, director; Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening
Good choices. I’ve seen most of them.
“The Yearling” was on last week.
As for westerns, did you ever see “The Westerner” with Walter Brennan and Gary Cooper? It is one of the very best westerns.
GWTW!
Ben-Hur! Amen!
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