It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
Also known as "Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life"
They're making memories tonight!
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi, Frank Faylen, Ward Bond, Gloria Grahame, H.B. Warner, Frank Albertson, Todd Karns, Samuel S. Hinds, Mary Treen, Virginia Patton
Director: Frank Capra
Running Time: 130 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: U
Drama, Family, Fantasy, Romance
On DVD 'It's a Wonderful Life', Frank Capra's enchanting tale of divine intervention, has become as much a part of Christmas as over-eating and arguing over decorating the tree.
Even on this DVD edition, the sound quality isn't what it used to be and the picture tends to fluctuate between mediocre and bad, but for some reason the movie just seems to get better and better. I struggle to think of any film more deserving of the description "timeless classic", and if this one ever goes out-of-date I can only hope that it's long after I've snuffed it.
The late, great James Stewart stars as George Bailey, a man who unintentionally ends up dedicating his life to running the family loans company. On the surface, his family life with wife Mary (Donna Reed) and their four sprogs seems perfect, but increasing financial troubles and a series of run-ins with local tycoon Potter (Lionel Barrymore, Drew's Great Uncle) gradually breaks him down into a suicidal wreck. And that's when Clarence (Henry Travers), his guardian angel, steps in to show him just how important a man he is.
It's easy to forget that the film takes an hour-and-a-half to build itself up before Clarence finally makes his appearance - but it's perhaps because we're made to wait so long for it that the pay-off is so effective. Indeed, the closing scenes are among the most memorable in film history. They're also among the most imitated - with 'Back to the Future II' just one of the high profile flicks to have borrowed heavily from (or, rather, paid tribute to) George's trip to see how his home town would have turned out were he never to have been born.
Both Stewart and Capra stated this to be their favourite movie, to the extent that both were involved in the court case against having it colorized. Today, an obscene coloured-in version does exist, but it's the film in its' marvellous original black and white state that continues to capture the hearts of viewers. And who am I to pick faults with a film that's not only one of the most popular ever made, but that continues to stand the test of time after more than half a century?
DVD Extras: An interview with Frank Capra Jnr, and a 'Making Of' featurette hosted, inexplicably, by Tom "Happy Days" Bosley.
It's Got: A blink-and-you-miss-her appearance from Ellen "Grandma Walton" Corby, as the woman asking for $17.50.
It Needs: To be watched, as God himself probably intended, in black and white.
Alternatives: Mr Smith Goes to Washington, Mr Deeds Goes To Town, It Happened One Night, You Can't Take It With You
Summary: The best Christmas film ever made. That's right - it's even better than 'The Santa Clause 2'.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 28th November 2003
External Links
It's A Wonderful Life at the IMDB
Comments5 Comments |
| where can I get a script of It's a wonderful life, I am playing the part of mary hatch in our school play and need to have the script, I would appreciate it very much if you could please email one to me or direct me. Thank you Cassie |
| Comment by:- Cassie Orcholski | | 12 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| You might try the book, _The It's a Wonderful Life Book_ by JEANINE BASINGER. Amazon carries it. or a text version is available online at http://geocities.com/classicmoviescripts/script/itsawonderfullife.txt |
| Comment by:- Joe Andrieu | | 17 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| I love It's a Wonderful Life Definatly one of my faveorite movies of all time & i watch in annually around Christmas, In the middle of watching in now on DVD !!! |
| Comment by:- Tim O'Brien | | 21 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| Stumbled across It's a Wonderful Life after references to it in a sci-fi book! Now totally hooked - When work, family and daily life seem to be dragging me down, I watch this lovely film and it lifts me right back up again! A true gem |
| Comment by:- Dave Roberts | | 01 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| It's A Wonderful failed to open to widespread critical acclaim when it was first released, but it's legend has grown in the decades since. Now an annual holiday classic, it's hometown themes of family and kindness are timeless and inspiring. Definitely see this at least once before you die... |
| Comment by:- gilletbd1977 | www.thedvdreport.com/dvd_revie... | 19 January 2005 | ip: logged |
