23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December 2004
Filmmuseum

The quintessential Christmas movie – in terms of it slowly uncovering the real meaning of this seasonal period, all too often lost in commercialism. Beautiful capturing the essence, Frank Capra directs this unashamedly sentimental 1946 classic which stars James Stewart. This was the first film Stewart made following his military service in the World War II (during which, incidentally, he was the officer who signed fellow actor Ronald Reagan’s release papers!). It opens on Christmas Eve with small town man, George Bailey (Stewart), on the verge of committing suicide. He is rescued by a guardian angel who shows him the contribution he has made to the town in which he lives – and how very different things would have been without him. As heartwarming as a hot chocolate with a nip of whiskey.