( CNN ) -- They might make you punch the air or bring a tear to your eye : this month on the Screening Room , we 've picked our top ten life-affirming moments from the movies . Our number one : Jimmy Stewart discovers life is sweet in `` It 's A Wonderful Life '' From heartwarming classics to instant blockbusters , these are the on-screen scenes that never fail to fill you with joie de vivre . Do n't agree ? Think we 've missed one ? Post your comments to the Screening Room blog and we 'll publish the best . Read other CNN viewers ' favorite life-affirming movie moments , and tell us yours > > . 1 . It 's A Wonderful Life ( Frank Capra , 1946 ) `` Remember , no man is a failure who has friends . '' Perennial Christmas favorite `` It 's A Wonderful Life '' sees habitual do-gooder George Bailey ( Jimmy Stewart ) pulled back from the brink of despair by wannabe angel Clarence . As Bailey embraces his life with joy , it 's his friend 's final sign-off that draws a sentimental tear from even the most stone-hearted viewer . 2 . Spartacus ( Stanley Kubrick , 1960 ) After the battle , Crassus ( Laurence Olivier ) promises to spare the rebel slaves ' lives if they give up Spartacus ( Kirk Douglas ) . In a stirring response , knowing that they are condemning themselves to death by crucifixion , they each rise with a cry of `` I am Spartacus ! '' One moment 's freedom has never tasted so sweet . 3 . Casablanca ( Michael Curtiz , 1942 ) A tense frisson of resentment ripples through Rick 's Bar as the boorish Nazi officers strike up in patriotic song . But a command from Lazlo ( Paul Henreid ) , a nod from Rick ( Humphrey Bogart ) , and a rousing chorus of the Marseillaise sees the hated occupiers put firmly back in their place . 4 . The Shawshank Redemption ( Frank Darabont , 1994 ) In the harsh conditions of Shawshank Penitentiary , Andy ( Tim Robbins ) seizes an opportunity to lock himself in an office and broadcast a Mozart aria over the PA system . The heavenly voices shine light into the darkest depths of despair , bringing humanity to a place where there is none . 5 . Saving Private Ryan ( Steven Spielberg , 1998 ) `` James -- earn this . Earn it . '' As the gunfire pauses , Captain Miller ( Tom Hanks ) implores Private Ryan ( Matt Damon ) -- and , by proxy , us -- not to waste a drop of life : the greatest of gifts is too precious to be frittered away . 6 . Blade Runner ( Ridley Scott , 1982 ) Roy the replicant 's deep humanity comes to the fore as his last moments slip away . Rutger Hauer 's lines on life 's fleeting nature -- `` lost in time like tears in the rain '' -- are both provocative and poignant : has he become more human than the people who seek to hunt him down ? 7 . American Beauty ( Sam Mendes , 1999 ) `` It 's hard to stay mad when there 's so much beauty in the world . '' Kevin Spacey 's closing speech inspires us to look at the world around us with fresh eyes , from the flaws in our loved ones to plastic bags caught in the wind . 8 . Silent Running ( Douglas Trumbull , 1972 ) `` Take good care of the forest , Huey . '' Renegade botanist Freeman Lowell ( Bruce Dern ) blasts the world 's last remaining plant life into deep space , with only a robot to tend to it . A timely reminder of how one man 's actions can preserve life and hope . 9 . Dead Poets ' Society ( Peter Weir , 1989 ) Mr Keating ( Robin Williams ) inspires his young charges to seize the day and throw off the shackles of their privileged yet stuffy school . We challenge you not to feel a lump in your throat when Todd ( played by a young Ethan Hawke ) and his classmates stand on the desk in spirited tribute to their disgraced teacher . 10 . Victory ( John Huston , 1981 ) `` Come on lads , we can win this one ! '' Ludicrous yet rousing , `` Victory '' pitted plucky British footballers , led by Michael Caine and fortified by Pele and Sly , against a dastardly German team in a high-profile game that 's weighted against them . Their plot ? To escape during half time . But who wants to flee midway when there 's a match to be won ? `` Victoire ! Victoire ! '' chant the crowd . Do n't agree ? Think we 've missed one ? Sound off and read others ' thoughts in the Screening Room blog . E-mail to a friend .
Stories full of life - like humour from ` ` Casablanca , '' ` ` Silent Running '' ` ` It 's a Wonderful Life '' A list from ` ` The Blue Room '' is by no means complete ; send us yours .