It's a Wonderful Life

– A holiday favourite for generations... George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people..

Type:
Movie
Rating:
8.60 / 10
Duration:
2 Hours and 10 Minutes
Release Year:
1946
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

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.

Story Timeline:
Producing Country:
USA
Filming Locations:
Genre:
Editor's Pick for:

It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - Trailer

Release Date:

07 Jan 1947

Language:

English, French

MPAA Content-Rating:
PG – Parental Guidance Suggested

Some material may not be suitable for children. Parents urged to give "parental guidance". May contain some material parents might not like for their young children.

Director:

Frank Capra

Writer:

Frances Goodrich (screenplay), Albert Hackett (screenplay), Frank Capra (screenplay), Jo Swerling (additional scenes), Philip Van Doren Stern (story)

Main Actors:

James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell

Plot:

George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George's Uncle Billy loses the business's $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, their young children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in a gentle angel named Clarence coming to earth to help George, with the promise of earning his wings. He shows George what things would have been like if he had never been born. In a nightmarish vision in which the Potter-controlled town is sunk in sex and sin, those George loves are either dead, ruined, or miserable. He realizes that he has touched many people in a positive way and that his life has truly been a wonderful one.

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 1 nomination.

Production:

Liberty Films

Ratings:
Internet Movie Database:
8.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes:
93%
Metacritic:
89%