A new biopic called Jimmy will open in U.S. theaters about a month before the 75th anniversary of It's a Wonderful Life. The film follows Jimmy Stewart, the Oscar-winning actor, through his service as a bomber pilot in World War II. It also shows the postwar struggles that, according to the film's makers, pushed him toward prayer. Director Aaron Burns spoke with Christianity Today about the project.

Telling a Lesser-Known Story

Many movie fans know Stewart from his classic roles. Fewer know that he flew combat missions in Europe. Burns said he first learned about this period after reading an article Stewart wrote for Guideposts magazine. In that piece, Stewart reflected on It's a Wonderful Life, the first film he made after the war. He described it as the start of his spiritual healing.

Burns said his production team built the film around Stewart's own notes. After Stewart died, his daughters found a journal in his nightstand that recorded the wartime years. Kelly Stewart-Harcourt, his daughter, shared many of the stories in that journal with the filmmakers. She also lent the production Stewart's Oscars.

The lead actor, KJ, trained for the role. He lost about 15 pounds and worked with a dialect coach on Stewart's speech patterns. He studied Mr. Smith Goes to Washington scene by scene. Burns said the film's sets were rebuilt from It's a Wonderful Life, and the battle scenes were filmed in Ireland. The crew used a 1952 British Pembroke aircraft because only one flying B-24 bomber remains in the world.

Background

Stewart was a lifelong Presbyterian. His father was, in Burns's words, a strict man with strong Bible convictions. Stewart rarely spoke about the war in public. His son has said he asked his father about it but got little in return. Burns said the film keeps the viewer close to Stewart's point of view and avoids both glorifying and condemning war. Burns said he hopes the film will encourage viewers to think about their own faith. He also noted that the production team prayed together during filming.

What to Watch

Burns said he wants audiences to see a man who struggled and found hope. He has said the film is meant to inspire faith in others. Stewart's family has supported the project. The film's release is set for the anniversary of It's a Wonderful Life, and reviews and box office results will show how audiences respond.