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It's a Wonderful Life

  • 19461946
  • PGPG
  • 2h 10m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
445K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,589
49
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
James Stewart and Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Home Video Trailer from Artisan
Play trailer1:00
13 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Family
  • Fantasy

An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

IMDb RATING
8.6/10
445K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,589
49
  • Director
    • Frank Capra
  • Writers
    • Frances Goodrich(screenplay by)
    • Albert Hackett(screenplay by)
    • Frank Capra(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • James Stewart
    • Donna Reed
    • Lionel Barrymore
Top credits
  • Director
    • Frank Capra
  • Writers
    • Frances Goodrich(screenplay by)
    • Albert Hackett(screenplay by)
    • Frank Capra(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • James Stewart
    • Donna Reed
    • Lionel Barrymore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.1KUser reviews
    • 194Critic reviews
    • 89Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #21
    • Nominated for 5 Oscars
      • 6 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos13

    It's a Wonderful Life
    Trailer 1:00
    It's a Wonderful Life
    Holiday Movie or Not?
    Clip 3:12
    Holiday Movie or Not?
    Guillermo del Toro and Neil Gaiman Find Hope in Powerful, Eclectic Films
    Clip 8:43
    Guillermo del Toro and Neil Gaiman Find Hope in Powerful, Eclectic Films
    What to Watch: Holiday Movies on Prime Video for the Whole Family
    Clip 2:09
    What to Watch: Holiday Movies on Prime Video for the Whole Family
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    Clip 2:06
    Holiday Movies and TV Specials That Get You in the Spirit
    It's a Wonderful Life
    Clip 0:37
    It's a Wonderful Life
    It's a Wonderful Life
    Clip 0:46
    It's a Wonderful Life
    It's a Wonderful Life
    Clip 1:07
    It's a Wonderful Life
    It's a Wonderful Life
    Clip 0:55
    It's a Wonderful Life
    What to Watch: "The Expanse" and Expensive Explosions
    Full Episode 3:39
    What to Watch: "The Expanse" and Expensive Explosions
    What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    Full Episode 3:11
    What Are These Stars Watching This Holiday Season?
    What's Your Favorite Scene From a Holiday Movie?
    Video 3:33
    What's Your Favorite Scene From a Holiday Movie?

    Photos201

    James Stewart, Donna Reed, Carol Coombs, Karolyn Grimes, Jimmy Hawkins, and Larry Simms in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Donna Reed, Carol Coombs, Jimmy Hawkins, and Larry Simms in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Thomas Mitchell, Mary Treen, and Charles Williams in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Ernie Adams, Ellen Corby, and Jimmy the Crow in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart and Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart and Henry Travers in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Donna Reed, Carol Coombs, Karolyn Grimes, and Jimmy Hawkins in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Ward Bond, Donna Reed, Gloria Grahame, Beulah Bondi, Frank Faylen, Todd Karns, Thomas Mitchell, Lillian Randolph, H.B. Warner, and Charles Williams in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart and Karolyn Grimes in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart and Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart, Donna Reed, Carol Coombs, Karolyn Grimes, Jimmy Hawkins, and Larry Simms in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
    James Stewart and Donna Reed in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Stewart
    James Stewart
    • George Baileyas George Bailey
    Donna Reed
    Donna Reed
    • Mary Hatchas Mary Hatch
    Lionel Barrymore
    Lionel Barrymore
    • Mr. Potteras Mr. Potter
    Thomas Mitchell
    Thomas Mitchell
    • Uncle Billyas Uncle Billy
    Henry Travers
    Henry Travers
    • Clarenceas Clarence
    Beulah Bondi
    Beulah Bondi
    • Mrs. Baileyas Mrs. Bailey
    Frank Faylen
    Frank Faylen
    • Ernieas Ernie
    Ward Bond
    Ward Bond
    • Bertas Bert
    Gloria Grahame
    Gloria Grahame
    • Violet Beckas Violet Beck
    H.B. Warner
    H.B. Warner
    • Mr. Goweras Mr. Gower
    Frank Albertson
    Frank Albertson
    • Sam Wainwrightas Sam Wainwright
    Todd Karns
    Todd Karns
    • Harry Baileyas Harry Bailey
    Samuel S. Hinds
    Samuel S. Hinds
    • Pa Baileyas Pa Bailey
    Mary Treen
    Mary Treen
    • Cousin Tillyas Cousin Tilly
    Virginia Patton
    Virginia Patton
    • Ruth Dakinas Ruth Dakin
    Charles Williams
    • Cousin Eustaceas Cousin Eustace
    Sarah Edwards
    Sarah Edwards
    • Mrs. Hatchas Mrs. Hatch
    • (as Sara Edwards)
    William Edmunds
    • Mr. Martinias Mr. Martini
    • (as Bill Edmunds)
    • Director
      • Frank Capra
    • Writers
      • Frances Goodrich(screenplay by)
      • Albert Hackett(screenplay by)
      • Frank Capra(screenplay by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —alfiehitchie
    • alternate history
    • small town life
    • christmas
    • angel on earth
    • guardian angel
    • 266 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Frank Capra's..."It's a Wonderful Life".
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Family
      • Fantasy
      • Romance
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG for thematic elements, smoking and some violence
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      For the scene that required Donna Reed to throw a rock through the window of the Granville house, director Frank Capra hired a marksman to shoot it out on cue. To everyone's amazement, Reed broke the window by herself. She had played baseball in high school and had a strong throwing arm.
    • Goofs
      At one point George (James Stewart) calls Violet (Gloria Grahame), Gloria.
    • Quotes

      Clarence: Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?

    • Crazy credits
      A ringing facsimile of the Liberty Bell (without the crack) forms the backdrop for the studio logo, which is Liberty Films, and the opening credits are in a scrapbook with Christmas decorations. The bell reappears before the end credits, and the end credits have a Christmas card picture as a backdrop.
    • Alternate versions
      The film was colorized three times. The first colorized version of the film was produced by Hal Roach Studios (now Sonar Entertainment), the second by Republic Pictures. A third colorization of the film was produced by Legend Films for Paramount, the film's current copyright holder, in 2007.
    • Connections
      Edited into Have Rocket -- Will Travel (1959)
    • Soundtracks
      Buffalo Gal (Won't You Come Out Tonight)
      (uncredited)

      Written by William Cool White

    User reviews1.1K

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A Wonderful Film and Timeless Classic
    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.
    helpful•259
    43
    • FlickJunkie-2
    • Dec 6, 2000

    FAQ15

    • Assuming Harry followed George to the hill. If George was never born, then why would Harry be sledding on that hill?
    • Why would the board members side with Potter if George refused to take over the Building & Loan?
    • What is "It's a Wonderful Life" about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 7, 1947 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life
    • Filming locations
      • RKO Encino Ranch - Balboa Boulevard & Burbank Boulevard, Encino, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Liberty Films (II)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $3,180,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $44,000
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $44,000
      • Dec 20, 2020
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,184,298
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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