It's a Wonderful Life (1946) w/ Patrick Coffin

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhLMHBBirC0

It’s time for Criteria’s Christmas episode—time to watch the classic tale of a man who, through divine intervention, overcomes regret, jealousy and despair to realize how precious and magical is the life he already has. James and Thomas discuss Catholic director Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life with popular podcaster and writer Patrick Coffin.

Patrick is uniquely qualified to discuss this film (which he believes to be the best ever made), having even interviewed a member of the cast!

It’s a Wonderful Life is included on the Vatican film list under the category “Values”.

Next on Criteria: Another installment of Dekalog, the Polish miniseries inspired by the Ten Commandments. We will be discussing episode five and its full-length film adaptation, A Short Film About Killing. This film can be viewed on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3ZkD_tyBAY

LINKS

Patrick Coffin’s interview with Mary Owen (Donna Reed’s daughter) and Karolyn Grimes (who played little Zuzu in the film) https://www.patrickcoffin.media/its-a-wonderful-movie-2/

Patrick’s National Review article on the film https://www.nationalreview.com/2012/12/its-wonderful-life-little-story-did-patrick-coffin/

Patrick’s article on Capra’s other Christmas classic, Meet John Doe https://www.patrickcoffin.media/frank-capras-forgotten-christmas-classic/

Coffin Nation https://www.coffinnation.com/

Wikipedia article on the fascinating Frank Capra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Capra

Join our Facebook group if you wish to discuss these films with us! http://www.facebook.com/groups/CatholicPods

Music is The Duskwhales, “Take It Back”, used with permission. https://theduskwhales.bandcamp.com/