1946 Directed by Frank Capra
A holiday favourite for generations... George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.
James Stewart Donna Reed Lionel Barrymore Henry Travers Thomas Mitchell Beulah Bondi Ward Bond Frank Faylen Gloria Grahame Frank Albertson H.B. Warner Virginia Patton Todd Karns Samuel S. Hinds Lillian Randolph Sheldon Leonard Mary Treen Charles Williams Sarah Edwards William Edmunds Argentina Brunetti Robert J. Anderson Ronnie Ralph Jean Gale Jeanine Ann Roose Danny Mummert Georgie Nokes Frank Hagney Ray Walker Show All…
Part of Buddy the Elf, What's Your Favorite Color?
“Is this the ear you can’t hear out of? George Bailey, I’m going to love you till the day I die.”
George Bailey (James Stewart) was loved, to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his affection was signed by the policeman, the taxi driver, the barkeep, and all the other citizens of Bedford Falls. Even the bank examiner signed it; and the bank examiner’s name was good for anything he chose to put his hand to. George Bailey was as loved as...well, as an angel.
It is a hoary old cliché to say that Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life is a sentimental ripoff of…
'Twas the week before Christmas, when all though the house
Not a creature was stirring; just me and my mouse
The decorating done; all the lights hung with care
I fancied a Yule film, so rose from my chair
The choices were varied; all classics the lot
The pick must be perfect to start the onslaught
The Trouble With Angels; my sweetheart Miss Hayley?
Oh wait just a minute, it must be George Bailey!
I flew down the stairs; DVD disk in tow
And slotted the plate; turned the lights way down low
The screen it did light with the Liberty marquee
My heart all aflutter with pure Christmas glee
We start in the stars where we hear there is…
This film is a testament to the hypnotic powers all great classics possess. Every time I watch this I want to call my mum to tell her I love her, call my mate I haven't seen for far too long to grab a beer and it makes me want to go outside to hand out smiles to everyone I meet.
It turns me into the biggest optimistic sap you'll ever see and I love it for that!
Things I noticed this time:
The big one I can't believe I never put together before:
The first defining moment of George Bailey's life is diving in the icy water to save his brother; and Clearance has him do it again to save himself.
How good is Samuel Hinds in his two brief scenes as Pa Bailey?
All the portraits that Potter has of himself hanging in his office and his home.
Love the scene where Potter offers George a job. It's been done plenty of times before and since, I suppose, but having the movie's villain be the single person who is able to articulate and sympathize with George's lifelong frustrations like that is such a brilliant stroke.
When…
It is almost unheard of for a person to have lived as long as I have and never seen It's a Wonderful Life. Every Christmas Eve the film airs on national television in the United States and somehow I missed it every time. It was not a fluke or accident, I just never had any desire to watch it. I knew all about an angel getting his wings when a bell has been rung, what happens if you were never born, and the romanticism about wanting to give a woman the moon, so much so that I had never really felt the need to watch it.
I am so glad that I have finally decided that I do not, in…
no cappington this, home alone, die hard, and the og animated grinch are the only good Christmas movies
A classic in every sense of the word, in the best possible way. A testament to the power of the seemingly small acts of selflessness one may find themselves doing without even realizing it. A film so full of optimism and love of life that you just can't help but smile by the end. James Stewart's wonderful performance that puts thousands to shame with his natural warmth, energy and empathy. Beautiful.
Broke: It's a Wonderful Life is outdated, emotionally manipulative '40s schmaltz.
Woke: It's a Wonderful Life remains one of the most pure, feel-good films ever made.
The greatest of greats, leaves me oh so emotional. A true portrayal of the American community spirit.
Frank Capra took "It's a Wonderful Life" down a dark road in order to reach the light at the end in one of moviedoms happiest endings. I guess that's what a lot of movies do, though, but they don't have the ending this one has in which it is a wonderful life indeed. Was there any way Capra could have done this in less than the two hour plus duration of the film? I don't think so, personally. You needed all the fluff in the middle for the build up that prepares the way for the film's conclusion. For most viewers the dark road part of the film is what they'd most remember, especially George Bailey's horror to see what…
Outstanding film. Such a magnificent plot. Jimmy Stewart gives a sublime performance. This film will leave you in such a great mood. Essential Christmas viewing.
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