There are a few Christmas movies with as enduring a legacy as It’s a Wonderful Life. Turning 80 in 2026, the beloved 1947 holiday classic has remained a staple thanks to its timeless themes of hope and community, and its relatable exploration of the personal hardships faced by Jimmy Stewart‘s character, George. A nostalgic trip, with emotional depth and an uplifting message, the film has become ingrained within pop culture. It remains the favorite of many, as it passes through various generations.
The Frank Capra film undoubtedly shines through its script and sharp visuals, yet the undeniable charm of Jimmy Stewart plays an equally integral role in its legacy. There is an undeniable life-affirming poignancy in Stewart’s dialogue: “I’m not going to leave you, Mary… I’ve got to live.” It continues to have a substantial emotional impact, however many times you hear it. It is the range Stewart delivers that remains so profoundly impactful, flowing from despair to hopeful idealism with ease. Moreover, through the rather profound personal journey of redemption, Stewart captures the “everyman” charm that draws the viewer into his challenges and successes.
There is no denying that Jimmy Stewart’s performance in It’s A Wonderful Life is among the greatest ever committed to screen. Yet there was a tragic side to Stewart’s role: Jimmy Stewart would lean on his wartime experience to get into George’s psyche.
World War II and the Golden Age of Hollywood
Jimmy Stewart’s Inspiring Bravery
While the Golden Age of Hollywood began with the advent of the “Talkies” in the 1920s, the period after World War II saw a boom in the industry and a shift to larger productions, such as musicals, stylish film noir, and prestige dramas. Many of these films were created as a response to wartime trauma and the public’s need for escapism. It was also during this period that new actors would emerge. Famously, Audie Murphy would bring his personal experience of war into some of the greatest films on the subject of the era. At the same time, others who were already part of the Hollywood system would bravely fight for the country, including Clark Gable, Henry Fonda, and Jimmy Stewart.
Before World War II, Jimmy Stewart had already established himself as a star, having starred in notable films such as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and The Philadelphia Story. When America entered the war, Jimmy Stewart insisted on fighting for the country that had given him so much, not just going for publicity, as he could have escaped the draft. Stewart enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps as a private in 1941. His military service became particularly notable in 1943, when he joined the 445th Bombardment Group, a B-24 Liberator unit, serving as a pilot and commander. During this time, Stewart would show his bravery, flying over 20 combat missions, including critical operations such as the bombing of Berlin, according to the Army Air Corps Museum.
It’s A Wonderful Life, released in 1947, would be James Stewart’s first role after returning from the war, and it would be an integral element in understanding his approach to George.
Jimmy Stewart’s Wartime Experience Influenced His Performance in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
A Book Released 70 Years After the Film’s Release Offered Tragic Details
Published roughly 70 years after the film’s initial release on October 24, 2016, Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe by Robert Matzen focused on Stewart’s life in the military. The biographical work spanned Stewart’s rise through the ranks from private to colonel and the brutal conditions he faced during his 20+ combat missions as a bomber pilot. While the focus was on his service, Matzen also touched on his career as an actor, notably how it shaped his approach to the character of George in It’s A Wonderful Life.
In interviewing men who had flown with Stewart for his research for Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe, they would have this to say about Stewart’s psyche during the high-intensity situations:
[They] told me about the fact that he went flak-happy on a couple of occasions – which means shell shock, battle fatigue, what we now know as PTSD. He wasn’t afraid of bombs or bullets. He was afraid of making a mistake and causing someone to die. That was his endless stress, and that’s what ended up grounding him. — Robert Matzen
Although such psychological trauma was not uncommon during the war, Stewart’s ability to endure it and continue fighting is a testament to his bravery and strong will. Matzen would expand on this information to discuss his own experience with the movie It’s A Wonderful Life, and how everything clicked when he heard about Stewart’s wartime experience from firsthand accounts, stating:
There’s a scene in the movie where he questions his sanity and he’s got this wild look about him. That’s one scene that really struck me, watching it on the big screen. And the other scene that always made me uncomfortable, but now means so much more to me, is when he’s in his living room and he’s throwing things and screaming at his kids — and his wife and children look at him like, ‘Who is this man? Who is this monster?’
While this sentiment comes from Matzen rather than from Stewart himself, the timing of It’s a Wonderful Life as the first film for Stewart after his service during World War II, and the depth of his research, support the conclusion. At the same time, this knowledge adds even more weight to an already phenomenal performance in one of the most iconic roles of Stewart’s rich career, giving reason to revisit the film this season with a new perspective on his role.
Where To Watch Jimmy Stewart’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
There are many reasons one can argue that It’s a Wonderful Life is the greatest Christmas movie of all time. However, the best argument for the film is that one should watch it and fall for its charms and engaging exploration of one man’s plight, which ends in an embrace of the spirit of Christmas. As always, It’s a Wonderful Life gets plenty of rotation on television during the holidays, but the Christmas classic can be streamed on Prime Video and Plex.
- Release Date
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January 7, 1947
- Runtime
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130 minutes
