by D Server

Created on: January 10, 2010   Last Updated: January 11, 2010

It should be remembered that the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" was made just after the end of World War II and much of its tone and sentiment reflects the mood of America right after the years of struggle. The movie expresses the feeling, no doubt shared by most people in the country who had just come through such an awful ordeal, that the right values can get you through most anything, and living your life in a decent way will eventually have its rewards.

The main character in the movie, George Bailey, is a reluctant hero who, as the end of the film shows, doesn't realize the positive impact his life has had on others. Most every decision in his life is not done for personal glory or even pleasure. And most of the decisions in his life were compromises. He didn't want to get married and have all the responsibilities that go with a family. He also didn't want to run his family's business. But when the circumstances called for it, he made the decisions he had to make, not for his own ego or pleasure, but for the good of more than just himself. This was the way he lived his life from childhood, when he prevented his pharmicist boss, who was otherwise mean to him, from making a terrible mistake, and also saved his brother's life when he fell into icy waters.

The movie shows how far-reaching these good decisions were. Saving his brother saved many more lives during World War II when his brother was a hero. Marrying his wife Mary spared her from a solitary, unhappy life. And running the family business prevented the town from turning into a hotbed of corruption and vice, as the less than savory Mr. Potter would have liked.

There are also clear religious overtones in "It's A Wonderful Life,"  and the film clearly has the point of view that a life of faith will eventually be rewarded, as is Bailey's life through his gurdian angel, Clarence. In fact when Bailey, at his darkest moment, is about to jump off a bridge and kill himself, the way Clarence prevents him from doing it is to jump in the water himself. At that point Bailey's decency does not allow him to let another person drown, but instead he dives in and rescues Clarence. Only then through the angel's magical tour of a world that Bailey had never lived in does George realize how valuable his life was and how much he wants to live. By following the values of decency, including faith, honesty and concern for others, George Bailey has overcome his traumas, while his generosity of spirit has been rewarded by all those he has helped.

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