I saw "It's a Wonderful Life" last SAT for the first time in a long time. I forgot what a great movie it was - truly an epic film that is way more than a Christmas classic.
I've thought time to time about how many lives that movie saved. Meaning, back in 1946, coming out of the Depression and WWII, I'm sure there were a lot of Americans very down in the dumps and perhaps suicidal (like George Bailey). The final message of "no man is failure as long as he has friends" probably lifted the spirits of many depressed/suicidal folks at the time.
Just a thought.
Probably not. If I remember correctly the movie was a comparative flop at the box office and only became the classic on TV.
That was one message. I think the overriding message - and what makes it a classic and touches our hearts - is that no man is a failure who trusts in God. The end, where George Bailey is being chased by the townspeople, Bert the Cop shoots at him, he runs back to the bridge. At first, he prays to Clarance and nothing happens. When he unknowingly prays to God, it starts to snow again and he is back in his now and when. People get the connection - with God all things are possible!
It may be a great movie but it has the worst stereotype of a librarian that I've ever seen. I'm a librarian and I truly hate the portrayal of the fate of George Bailey's wife had George not existed. It's disgusting.
And overall the movie is depressing. George in reality is a frustrated, unfulfilled dreamer who has carried self-sacrifice to an extreme to please others. The uplifting ending is the only thing that saves it.
I saw it too, and it is just wonderful no matter how many times they show it. They just don't make "em like that anymore!