When you think about how many films you have viewed during your lifetime, have you ever wondered why some remain timeless? They can be watched over and over again without losing their impact.
It’s a Wonderful Life is one of my favorites. Somehow this Christmas tale produced and directed by Frank Capra has kept its relevance every year since it was released in 1947. It still is #1 on the American Movie Institute’s list of most inspirational films. The movie is based on a short story written in 1939 by Philip Van Doren Stern called The Christmas Gift.
I am about to start on my last rewrite of my novel and examined this movie in a completely different way. Not as a movie-goer, but as a writer. I discovered its magic and why it has left audiences spellbound for the last 66 years.
The first scene sets the tone for the movie. It starts on Christmas Eve with prayers being said for George Bailey while the snow floats down on Bedford Falls, New York. Then it cuts to the stars in the sky where Saints are discussing how to keep George from ending his life through the help of Clarence the guardian angel who wants to earn his wings.
The story’s climax is introduced in the first scene. Whoa! What a concept. Even before meeting the protagonist, George Bailey, we learn that he is loved by many, is in trouble and wants to end his life.
We have compassion for the protagonist. My eyes still well up with tears when young George is cuffed in the ear by the pharmacist after he refuses to deliver pills accidentally filled with rat poison. And that is in the first ten minutes! After that scene, I am hooked into watching the movie all over again.
In the beginning, each scene has its own climax and ending. What a great idea! Flashbacks show Clarence the events leading up to that fateful day and how George impacted many of the people in Bedford Falls. This also introduces the characters. They are told like individual stand-alone stories so Clarence can fully understand George’s motivation and so can we.
The plot is clear and relatable. The mystery of why positive and lovable George Bailey would want to end his life keeps audiences glued until the climax. Even though I know what is going to happen, the structure and drama of each scene keeps me watching. We learn about the lives he changed through his own sacrifices and why he is loved by so many.
The protagonist is a quirky and likable character. George is direct and speaks his mind. He is filled with enthusiasm and gumption in hopes of traveling the world someday. His positive outlook is infectious and his out-going personality shows courage even as a young boy. We admire George’s willingness to risk his own life and eventually his livelihood. In the end of the story he wants to take his life so his wife can use the life insurance money to pay off the bank’s loan.
The antagonist is introduced early. Mr. Potter is a lonely and greedy old curmudgeon confined to a wheel chair. He owns a competing bank and wants to take over the Bailey Building and Loan so he can take control of Bedford Falls. When Potter insults George’s father, twelve-year-old George Bailey defends him and gives Potter a shove as his father guides him out of the room. This sets up the tension for the story.
The climax of the story rocks! In the last half hour of the movie, George wishes he had never been born. Clarence shows him what life would be like if he got his wish. The town is in shambles and no one but greedy old Potter shows any happiness.
The protagonist learns something. George realizes that he does have a wonderful life and he wants to live.
“Every time you here a bell, an angel gets his wings!”
There is a moral to the story. You impact so many lives in ways you will never imagine. No matter how bleak life gets, there are people who love you and would be willing to help if you let them. Brilliant! It also introduces the comforting idea that there is a guardian angel watching over us.
I cried again while watching this movie before writing this post and will gladly watch it again on Christmas Day. It makes me wonder what life would be like if I had never been born. I have a pretty wonderful life too.
It is ironic that the history of the film also has a message for writers, movie makers and anyone else trying to accomplish a goal. Never give up. It didn’t meet box-office expectations when it first came out, but eventually became a Christmas classic.
What is your all-time favorite movie?
Do you ever analyze them?
Photos by Wikipedia
Awww well-done!!! This is a beautiful movie with a beautiful message. As someone who has struggled with depression, I like the way this movie treats hopelessness and pain–honestly, without minimizing it, but also showing the light through the darkness. And yep, I analyze movies (sometimes way too much perhaps).
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I agree. I think it leaves everyone with such a good feeling at the end. It is difficult to remain hopeful in some circumstances and yet there is always something pretty wonderful about each life!
Thanks so much El!
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The one I watch time and time again is Independence Day. It’s funny, it’s scary and it’s got an End Of The World apocalypse theme going along with love, loss and redemption. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched it. And for a moment I thought I had spots in front of my eyes, then I realised it was snow! What are you like, woman??
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I love Independence Day! That movie keeps me on the edge of my seat all the way through.
You can activate the snow storm by going to “General Settings.” Hey it still isn’t snowing here so it’s the next best thing!
Thanks CC!
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Reblogged this on Giai01's Blog and commented:
Tuyet
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Great old movie, oldies are always great. We watch White Christmas every Christmas season. such a fun movie! Sisters, sisters!!
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My sister and I used to run through the house singing that song! Love it!
Thanks John!
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Yes Susie!
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I watched it yesterday and every time I see certain parts, I cry.
Thanks Julie! I hope you have a Wonderful day!
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I feel like anyone who says they don’t like it hasn’t watched it lately. Because, conceptually, it’s a train wreck. The movie shouldn’t work. The movie should be awful. It’s too dark and too sweet at the same time. It’s folksy-small-towny and “fate and angels.” It’s bafflingly weird. Jimmy Stewart spends the bulk of the film miserable and hating his life.
Yet you put it all together, and I don’t care who you are – you’re tearing up at the end and thinking about you’re own life. And in that sense, it’s perfect.
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There are several scenes in the movie that have me practically sobbing. I think it is touching to see someone who was so determined to get out of town, get stuck there and then have everything go south. When the town comes forward to help, it gives the audience hope that our own lives will turn out okay.
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
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Great post. Thanks for breaking it down. It’s a favorite of mine, too.
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Thanks Tori! I thought it would be fun to look at the movie in another way in hopes of understanding why it is so successful at pulling us into the story. It is magical!
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You know I never saw this movie until Steve introduced it to me a few years ago. What a loss over the years not to have seen it!
Congrats on the final rewrite..:)
HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
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I have seen this since I was a little kid. You can imagine how endearing Clarence is to children. It is simply a magical tale of hope. I am glad Steve introduced you to it. There are some lessons there for writers.
Thanks so much! I am getting there with my book! I hope to have it polished enough to have my family start reading it and marking it up. I know Kelly won’t hold back and Danny is good at telling me, “I don’t get it.” I should give them each a hard copy and a red marker for Christmas!
Thanks so much Linda! (((Hugging)) you right back!
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Did you know I have never watched this movie? I should be kicked. I guess I never realized what it was about. I will definitely change that. My favorite is A Christmas Story. Gotta love little Ralphie.
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Oh my God. There is a link to the movie at the bottom of my post. I am sure it will be played on several stations too. Please let me know what you think of it!
Ralphie and his adult narration were hilarious in that classic!
Thanks Angelia!
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Forgive me as I wouldn’t normally kick a women but if it get’s you to go see this film, watch your back!
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Ohhhhh, that smarted. 🙂 *rubs sore spot and checks the TV guide*
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Love it!
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Susie, just last week I made a list of IMDb’s 250 Best Movies of all tiime, and plan to see them all. A few days ago I saw “Harvey” for the first time. I’ve always wanted to see that to learn who the Harvey is that is referred to in one of my very favorites, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” Well, watching Harvey, with Stewart’s endearing performance, was truly enjoyable. Now, thanks to you, I”m going to jump to “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I was going to skip that for now because I’ve seen it a couple times, but I’ll watch it tonight. I’ll also put “Independence Day” on the list.
A few other movies I’ve enjoyed recently (off that list) are “The Sound of Music” which started the whole thing, as I watched it to research my latest AmperArt collection, “My Favorite Things”; “Streetcar Named Desire”; “Shawshank Redemption”; “Groundhog Day”; “The Son-In-Law” which wasn’t that big at the box office but I thought it was hilarious and very heartwarming;”The Godfather” I, II, III; and just last night, “Casablanca.”
I have a huge recommendation for your book’s success: Order “The Frugal Book Promoter” Edition 2 by Carolyn Howard Johnson immediately and start reading it as soon as it arrives. You should start promoting your book before it’s even published, and her guide will be your bible. Also, I’ll be glad to give you feedback on the book cover (my profession) free of charge.
I have macular degeneration in one eye, and I thought your falling snow was further degeneration–and very unique, as the floating spots are usually dark. Whew!
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Oh thank you so much Chaz! I love checking out your latest creations. I haven’t seen Harvey, but have meant to for years!
Thanks for the offer and I will take you up on it since I will probably create my own cover since I was an artist back in the day!
Thanks for the book recommendation. I will check it out.
Sorry about the scare and your MD. Must be tough especially since you are an artist… Have a wonderful day!
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I urge you to order Carolyn’s book on blind faith and my recommendation, and devour it front to back, immediately. You’ll realize why I’m so emphatic about this once you read it.
I’m really looking forward to my movie tonight!
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I will!
Now that I can find the movie on YouTube I may sneak another peek too!
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Very cool examination of a classic, Susie!
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Thanks Hook. I learned a lot in the process!
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I’ve always loved this film, though my classics usually star Humphrey Bogart. A movie theater in town is showing it on the big screen December 19. I plan on grabbing an extra large popcorn for dinner that night!
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Bogart was amazing.
That is so fantastic! What a great way to see it. I would love to be there. Enjoy!
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The finish line is in view, go you! I bet I have watched this, but I can’t remember so I must find a way to watch it this Christmas x
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Thanks so much. 🙂 I see it just up ahead….
Oh my gosh Catherine. You would love it. I am not one to see movies more than once, but this one pulls at everyone’s heartstrings!
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I love seeing this through a writer’s lens, Susie. It’s one of my favourite movies. A handsome, timeless lead doesn’t hurt either.
Good luck as you soldier on. The end of the year is perhaps the perfect time to finish.
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Yes I think you are right! I avoided the casting since it would have added about 500 words, but the acting was tremendous. Even the young George was believable.
Thanks for spurring me on! The next book will be so much easier! 🙂
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I have so many favorite movies, the list is loooong, but just to mention a few that I have watched more than once, Amadeus, The red Violin, Amelié, Micmacs, Dr. Zhivago, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen…, and yes, I analyze and observe them in detail, all of them.
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Oh, cool M!
From your list I have not seen the last three. Sounds like I should!
Thanks for stopping by!
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It is definitely one of my all time faves!!
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It is simply one of those movies that makes you laugh, cry and think….
Thanks Coleen!
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One of the best courses I took in college was the one where you watched important/classic/notable films and analyzed them…lot more to it than it appears. And as you say something to be learned about writing from that
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I am sure that my analysis wasn’t very thorough, but the basics of storytelling really came through in this movie with a few twists. Now that I have done this one, I will probably look at other films differently!
I am like a sponge and have a lot to learn about writing. It makes sense to learn from the best!
I wish I had taken a class like that! I don’t think they were offered back in the day…..
Thanks Mouse!
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actually that course was in 1968-69. We were all great critics – of many things.
Taking things apart helps you figure out how /why it works – the concept adapts to all sorts of processes, products, and ideas
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You actually brought tears to my eyes as I remembered how much I love this movie. This one, The Princess Bride, and Man from Snowy River. The 3 perfect movies.
http://wearyourvitamins.com
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So cool! It is one of those movies. I cried as I watched it yesterday while examining it for the article. It is a really touching film.
The Princess Bride comes up a lot and I haven’t seen it. I will add it to my list!
Thanks for coming by and sharing!
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Oh my goodness you HAVE to see the Princess Bride. One of the greatest classics of all time. So amazing.
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I will!
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And similarly, both Princess Bride and Wonderful Life were not hits when they first came out, but became enduring classics.
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So true!
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Nice analysis. I haven’t seen this one in a long time, it was on the other night… I’m sure it will be on again, and I’m going to watch now.
I see WordPress is delivering the snow you desperately yearn for… on your page… I wouldn’t try skiing on it.
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Hahaha! You know me Ted. I broke out the skis, but just couldn’t figure out how to get inside….
I would definitely tune in from start to finish. I left the link up there to see it on YouTube. I was amazed at the quality and watched it yesterday.
Thanks Ted!
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Hi Susie,
I have too many “favorite” movies to list all, but I really liked your analysis of this one. You bring out so many points that the average watcher would miss in a casual viewing. Nice job. Any snow yet, or are you still dancing???
Paul
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Thanks so much Paul! I didn’t notice the nuances of the film until I watched it on YouTube for the 100th time yesterday. In fact I had the sequence of the scenes all mixed up! Good thing I watched it again.
They are predicting a chance of moisture tomorrow with a real storm coming in over the weekend. YES!
Still dancing….. OooooOooooOOoooooO!
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Thanks so much for describing so beautifully the magic behind one of my alltime favorite movies! 🙂 Now I gotta watch it again! 😉
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Oh good I am glad you liked it! Thanks so much Andy.
In my opinion, it is one of the best made and it has one of the sappiest opening scenes known to man! 🙂
You will enjoy watching it again. I notice something different every time!
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I don’t loathe It’s A Wonderful Life but if it were never shown again I’d have peace. Overexposure caused this not a Grinchy heart. My favorite movie is Usual Suspects. I catch myself dissecting any movie I watch. My view is; every time a bell rings someone goes into diabetic shock from IAWL.
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Tom! Hahahaha! I might of known that you would be the one Grinch in the crowd! 🙂 There are probably a lot of people who feel that way. I recall my dad groaning when we flipped through the channels one year.
I don’t think I will ever be sick of it. I don’t why it comes to life for me every time, but it does and I always cry….
Thanks for coming by!
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Although I have easily seen thousands of films since my parents first took me to see “West Side Story” at the El Rey theater in San Francisco 50 years ago, I could never claim one film as my all-time favorite. That’s impossible, but if someone pointed a gun at my head I might stammer, “”The Godfather”, no wait, “Chinatown”. Hey, I meant to say “Grand Illusion”! Hold on, I’ve always loved “What’s Up Doc?” And, of course Woody Allen’s “Manhattan” was why I moved to New York. But at this stage, my life has been having many “Last Tango in Paris” elements to it, plus there’s Ingmar Bergman’s extraordinary “Scenes from a Marriage”, but I did prefer the TV series version. Can that count Trigger-finger?” Then, blam, I’m dead having succeeded in annoying the gunman or woman into blowing my head “clean off”.
I have never been a fan of “It’s a Wonderful Life” or Frank Capra films overall, but my sister would be sitting right next to you loving every second of that one. It is one of her all-time favorites. She could probably watch it on a hot as hell day in July. I do happen have an all-time favorite holiday film that I had to wait 44 years to find since it was only released in 2003. It’s “Bad Santa”. I relate much more to cynical jaded burned out aging alcoholic horndog Willie than George Bailey who, no offense, I do not identify with at all. Yet, snarky “Bad Santa” has character growth with a terrific edgy end and a use of the middle finger was my idea of poignant. I thought this film nailed the spirit of modern Xmas. My sister finally got around to seeing it a few years ago. She said, “I can’t believe you like that! It’s so gross! Ew!” I’ve seen it five times — and once at a party with my posse in July. Everyone there loved it. We all have different definitions of what’s a holiday classic, even though some of us had to wait decades to finally find theirs.
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You are not alone! I posted on Facebook asking what everyone’s Christmas favorite and Bad Santa came up more than once, like a bad lunch, I mean it was popular!
Yep me and your sis. Just like this…. crosses fingers…..
I am a sap under this tough as hell exterior. 🙂
Thanks for the movie list. I haven’t seen all of them yet…Love these recommendations I have been getting today!
Thanks V!
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Naaaaaaaa, you’re not a sap and neither is my sister. You guys are just more nostalgic and sentimental than me. When need be she can be tough as nails and suspect that the same is true of you.
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Hm. Mine just might be District 9, which I’ve never fully analyzed (at least not for my blog.) Great post and you’ve given me an idea…
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Oh good! I still haven’t seen that movie. Maybe it will become my favorite too! Thanks Heather!
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