Help! Movies where a group helps a single person!

[Remy]

Okay, so let me paint the scenario.

My girlfriend was recently watching the "Christmas Everyday" episode of The Fairly Odd Parents, a cartoon on Nickelodeon. In it, the main character, Timmy, has to go to the North Pole to battle the Easter Bunny, and he is helped by kids around the world to get there. When he finally reaches the North Pole, it is clear he will not defeat the Easter Bunny by himself, but it's okay because all the kids from around the world unexpectedly show up to help him and thus provide the happy ending. This ending had her in tears!

She says it's because of the act of a huge amount of people unselfishly banding together to help a single person. Think Extreme Makeover Home Edition...only, instead of building a home, people are battling an evil entity.

For the rest of the afternoon, we racked our brains trying to think of an example of this scenario in movies we've seen, but we couldn't come up with a single one. We know they exist. Do any of you have an example?

[afriendlychicken]

Funny you should post this. I just finished watching Twenty-Four Eyes, a Japanese film about a teacher and her 12 students in a small town and the changes they go through, from the years 1928-1953.

Suffice it to say, it's a tearjerker. A teacher so cared about by her students that at the end when the remaining students hold a party for her, they present her with a gift. I won't say what it is in case someone may want to watch this movie, but the tears were flowing out. It's one of those precious movie moments I'll never forget. It's almost up there with the playground scene from Ikiru.

Speaking of Ikiru, it's a movie that does the opposite. It has one person sacrificing for the many.

It's funny, I can't think of any American films at this moment. I'm sure someone else will.

EDIT: Of course, 10 minutes after I post, the dawning of the obvious...It's A Wonderful Life!!

[Remy]

Thanks, afriendlychicken!

I can't believe that one slipped my mind as well, and I've been thinking about this for a long time too. I hope others can think of some examples.

As for that "Twenty-Four Eyes" suggestion, thanks. I just read the description on Amazon and it really intrigues me. I can't wait to tell my girlfriend about it as she is currently studying to become a teacher.