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It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
7 January 1947 (USA)
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Tagline:
They're making memories tonight! more
Plot:
An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 5 Oscars.
Another 4 wins
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NewsDesk:
(67 articles)
Cinematical Seven: Dramas with Inappropriate Christmas Settings
(From Cinematical. 13 December 2009, 5:02 PM, PST)
What I Watched, What You Watched: Installment #21
(From Rope Of Silicon. 13 December 2009, 2:19 AM, PST)
(From Cinematical. 13 December 2009, 5:02 PM, PST)
What I Watched, What You Watched: Installment #21
(From Rope Of Silicon. 13 December 2009, 2:19 AM, PST)
User Comments:
A Wonderful Film and Timeless Classic
more (505 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| James Stewart | ... | George Bailey | |
| Donna Reed | ... | Mary Hatch | |
| Lionel Barrymore | ... | Mr. Potter | |
| Thomas Mitchell | ... | Uncle Billy | |
| Henry Travers | ... | Clarence | |
| Beulah Bondi | ... | Mrs. Bailey | |
| Frank Faylen | ... | Ernie | |
| Ward Bond | ... | Bert | |
| Gloria Grahame | ... | Violet | |
| H.B. Warner | ... | Mr. Gower | |
| Frank Albertson | ... | Sam Wainwright | |
| Todd Karns | ... | Harry Bailey | |
| Samuel S. Hinds | ... | Pa Bailey | |
| Mary Treen | ... | Cousin Tilly | |
| Virginia Patton | ... | Ruth Dakin |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (USA) (complete title)
The Greatest Gift (USA) (working title)
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The Greatest Gift (USA) (working title)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
130 min | Spain:118 min (25 fps) (DVD edition)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)
Certification:
Canada:F (Ontario) |
Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) |
South Korea:12 |
Brazil:Livre |
Sweden:15 |
Argentina:Atp |
Australia:PG |
Finland:K-16 |
Germany:6 |
Spain:T |
UK:U |
USA:Approved (PCA #11656)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Ranked #3 on the American Film Institute's list of the 10 greatest films in the genre "Fantasy" in June 2008.
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Goofs:
Continuity: A hat being held by someone donating money in the Bailey house first has a little snow then a lot of snow then no snow.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in "Married with Children: It's a Bundyful Life: Part 2 (#4.12)" (1989)
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Soundtrack:
Charleston
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FAQ
What are the names of George and Mary's four children?Are Bert and Ernie from "Sesame Street" named after Bert, the cop, and Ernie, the taxi driver, from "It's a Wonderful Life"?
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This film has become a Christmas tradition in my family. We watch it every year and never tire of it. Frank Capra is a master of creating films with a message that reinforce strong values. This is probably his greatest film in that regard. Both he and Stewart have publicly stated that this is their favorite film.
The message in this film is one of courage and sacrifice for the greater good as George Bailey, a man with big ideas about seeing the world, continually forsakes his own desires to do what is right for the town. The second message is that each life important. No matter how insignificant we feel we are, we are all inextricably linked to each other and play an important part in the fabric of one another's lives.
Capra's direction is brilliant. His genius is bringing human stories to life in a ways that not only make a point, but that totally involve the audience in the lives of the characters. He is always extremely optimistic about the human condition. He is known for testing his characters with overwhelming adversity to make them struggle to triumph in a way that causes the world to change and the character to grow. For this reason his films were always crowd pleasers and this film was the best of all in that regard.
Led by Capra's understanding hand, the actors all did a magnificent job. Stewart's wide-eyed enthusiasm and boyish charm, coupled with an unbending strength of character made him the perfect folk hero. Donna Reed was lovely and charming and attained the right balance between being supportive and inspirational. The romantic chemistry between her and Stewart was subtle and charming. Lionel Barrymore was towering as the greedy old skinflint who was trying to take over the town. Thomas Mitchell plays one of my favorite characters, as the bumbling Uncle Billy in probably his most memorable role.
This film is number eleven on AFI's list of best films of the century. It was nominated for five academy awards and won none. It was swept in 1947 by `The Best Years of Our Lives', a great film that won seven Oscars that year but in my opinion was the lesser film. History has corrected that minor injustice by rendering `It's a Wonderful Life' an enduring classic that is viewed and loved by generation after generation. Of course, I rated it a 10/10. I can't wait to see it again this Christmas.