1. George Bailey Almost Commits Suicide - It's A Wonderful Life
It is probably the definitive feel-good festive film but It's A Wonderful Life - which is famous for making your mother cry by the final reel - is actually unrelentingly dark for a chunk of its running time. After losing all his money at Christmas time, beloved family man George Bailey thinks all hope is lost and contemplates suicide. Of course, though, we all know that loveable angel Clarence soon shows him the error of his ways. Still, it can't be denied that this is a film about a severely depressed man at what that song assures us is the most wonderful time of the year. Let's not forget the flashbacks to his younger days show him being abused by his boss, the near-death of his little brother and the general crushing of his life-long dreams. It's no wonder everyone is in tears by the time Jimmy Stewart says "atta boy, Clarence!"