Comments by "Itinerant Patriot" (@itinerantpatriot1196) on "Drinker's Christmas Crackers - It's a Wonderful Life" video.

  1. "If it doesn't bring a tear to your eye then I suspect movies aren't really your thing." That is the best commentary about this film I have ever heard. I've been watching this movie for decades and I still tear up at the end, especially the look Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart exchange when good old Sam Wainright telegraphs to say he's got George's back. THAT is what Clearance is talking about when he signs Tom Sawyer with "No man who is a failure who has friends." To borrow from The Drinker, it's fucking brilliant. The director, Frank Capra, was devastated when it bombed at the box office. Like Jimmy Stewart, he had served during WWII but instead of carrying a gun he carried his camera. His "Why We Fight" films were considered the best of the WWII government sponsored movies. Jimmy Stewart said he was attracted to the role of George Bailey when he read the bit where George was ready to commit suicide (he was in a dark place himself following the war). Other Christmas viewing traditions like The Grinch and Charlie Brown have fallen by the wayside but it's not Christmas for me unless I see this film and the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim playing Scrooge. Both of those films are must-see TV on Christmas Eve. Great review Drinker.
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