It’s a Wonderful Life is best remembered for its heartwarming ending, where George Bailey (James Stewart) is reminded of his value through the help of his guardian angel, Clarence.
However, the journey to that uplifting moment is filled in despair, frustration, and thoughts of suicide as George wonders if the world would be better without him.
George’s intense emotional struggles his heavy, especially when considering Stewart’s own harrowing experiences during World War II.
Stewart captures a man teetering on the edge of a breakdown, quick-tempered, despondent, and wrestling with hopelessness. Many of these characteristics reflect symptoms now associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition Stewart himself experienced after serving as a bomber pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Author Robert Matzen, in his book Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe, explores how the actor’s wartime experiences shaped his performance.
Stewart flew 20 combat missions over Nazi-occupied Europe, enduring unimaginable stress. Matzen spoke with men who had flown with Stewart:
“[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.
Returning home from the war, Stewart struggled to reintegrate into civilian life, much like many other veterans. Matzen wrote:
“Stewart suffered along with millions of other combat veterans who had returned to homes the world over, to friends and family who just couldn’t understand what they had experienced.”
Matzen believes Stewart channeled his psychological trauma into his performance. He highlights one scene in particular: “There’s a scene in the movie where [George] 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.”
Another moment comes when George, overwhelmed by financial and personal pressures, lashes out at his family, yelling and throwing objects. His wife and children look on in shock, witnessing a side of him they don’t recognize. “Who is this man? Who is this monster?”
Stewart delivers a strong, raw, and vulnerable performance in this Christmas classic and it feels so authentic. Knowing the personal battles Stewart faced during and after the war brings new depth to the film and the character he played.
Stewart’s portrayal of George ensures that the pain and struggles leading up to the uplifting and happy ending are both honest and human.
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