Amazon Prime cut out a crucial scene in their “abridged” version of the Christmas classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life, leaving viewers both baffled and outraged. Especially viewers who can’t help but notice that the scene was the most heavily Christian-themed in the film.
We get producing an “abridged” version for time-saving purposes by cutting out scenes unnecessary to advance the film’s plot.
But Prime cut out the entire crux of the story – an explanation of how George Bailey’s guardian angel, Clarence, earns his angel wings. Not to mention, there is a reveal on how, if Bailey had never been born, the people around him would have fallen apart.
The scene in question is called the ‘Pottersville scene,’ a segment of the film that reveals an alternate reality where Bailey never existed, and the quaint town of Bedford Falls is transformed into the seedy, vice-ridden Pottersville.
The town is now dominated by Henry F. Potter, with neon signs, bars, and strip clubs replacing the familiar landmarks; the streets are filled with drunken revelers, and the once-friendly atmosphere is replaced by greed.
Clarence implores Bailey to realize all he has done for the town and explains that he must value his life so he can earn his wings.
“You’ll help me, won’t you?” Clarence asks.
If you want to know what’s wrong with the world, Prime Video has an “abridged” version of It’s a Wonderful Life that removes THE ENTIRE POTTERSVILLE SCENE where George sees life if he wasn’t born.
That’s all that abridged. The best most crucial part of the movie. Just. Wow. pic.twitter.com/H8Z82lGk9X
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) December 24, 2024
Fans Outraged Over Abridged Version Of ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’
Suffice it to say, fans of the classic holiday movie weren’t amused when Amazon Prime provided their “abridged” version of the film, which eliminates quite literally the most critical scene in It’s a Wonderful Life.
“If you want to know what’s wrong with the world, Prime Video has an ‘abridged’ version of It’s a Wonderful Life that removes THE ENTIRE POTTERSVILLE SCENE where George sees life if he wasn’t born,” one person on X wrote.
“That’s literally the entire point of the movie,” another added.
Former NBC sideline football reporter Michelle Tafoya addressed the proper way to handle a request to provide a shortened version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
That is, not to provide one at all.
“Do not change one frame” of the movie, she replied.
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Most Important Part Of The Movie
There are several other scenes in It’s a Wonderful Life that you’d think the PC police would go after well before the Pottersville scene.
As with many films, time doesn’t age certain comments well, and overly sensitive types don’t have the intellect to take into account different viewpoints across varying timeframes.
But the scene explaining Clarence is trying to get his angel wings?
How would it go over for first-time viewers of the movie when they see the end scene where Bailey’s daughter exclaims, “Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings”?
Also, why is Amazon Prime, a streaming service with no need for scheduling, creating “abridged” versions of anything?
We look forward to watching Amazon Prime’s abridged version of Die Hard sans Hans Gruber, or The Wizard of Oz without background on the tornado.
