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It's A Wonderful Life
1946
The legendary James Stewart (HARVEY, VERTIGO) stars as George Bailey. George is a noble man who has spent much of his life on a crusade to stop shady local businessman Henry Potter (Lionel Barrymore - TREASURE ISLAND, DUEL IN THE SUN) from taking over the picturesque town of Bedford Falls. However, on a typically snow-covered .. Read more
| Starring | James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell |
|---|---|
| Director | Frank Capra |
| Genres | Drama, Family, Romance |
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It's A Wonderful Life
The legendary James Stewart (HARVEY, VERTIGO) stars as George Bailey. George is a noble man who has spent much of his life on a crusade to stop shady local businessman Henry Potter (Lionel Barrymore - TREASURE ISLAND, DUEL IN THE SUN) from taking over the picturesque town of Bedford Falls. However, on a typically snow-covered Christmas Eve, George plays right into Potter's hands when his uncle manages to lose a considerable amount of their family business' money on the way to the bank. Ironically, Potter discovers the missing money and hides it, knowing that its disappearance will tarnish the Baileys' white-than-white reputation. Taking responsibility for the shortage and realising that he faces prison, George attempts to kill himself but in a bizarre twist of fate is visited by a guardian angel. In true Dickensian style, George's newfound friend gives him the opportunity to glimpse a world without him in it and the repercussions his absence has on his nearest and dearest.
Nominated for numerous Academy Awards (including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director) and ranking at number 11 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 greatest movies, Director Frank Capra (MR. DEED'S GOES TO TOWN, LOST HORIZON) managed to create a poignant and feel-good film that has stood the test of time and is rightly considered to be the quintessential Christmas classic.
| Starring | James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi, Ward Bond, Gloria Grahame, Frank Faylen, Charles Lane, Charles Williams, Bob Scott, H.B. Warner |
|---|---|
| Director | Frank Capra |
| Studio | UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 10 mins Blu-ray: 2 hrs 10 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 must-see movies |
| Genres | Drama, Family, Romance |
| Language | English |
| Subtitles | English |
| Released | DVD: 02 Dec 2002 Blu-ray: unknown Production year: 1946 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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'This story is the lousiest cheese...' Capra admitted to his star after making a rotten pitch. Stewart stuck by his... read more on Time Out
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Superbly assembled small-town comedy drama in a fantasy framework; arguably Capra's best and most typical work.
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Most helpful member's review
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45 out of 62 people found this review helpful
Happy fun
I generally don't like old films. I've got nothing particularly against them, I just don't find them very interesting. I was vaugely disappointed, then, when a friend brought this round to watch one Christmas.
I was really suprised to find that it was a great film and, regardless of it's age, still great to watch and with a lot to say.
If you're like me with old films, you should still try this out. I really doubt you'll be disappointed. -
Most recent members' review
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Classic Xmas movie
One of the all time classic feel good moral movies, wonderfully directed and acted. Interested to see the documentary about the movie on the dvd where it is regarded as the director's favourite.
James Stewart and the supporting cast play their characters superbly. Stewart especially, for example the scene in the bar where he contemplates suicide and thinks his community would be better off without him. The build up to this point and the concluding scenes are a testament to the acting quality in this movie. -
News and features
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New in Town
- 23 Feb 2009
There’s nothing new about New in Town, unless you consider it a new low for Renée Zellweger. As in Leatherheads, she’s shooting for a golden oldie screwball romantic comedy vibe – and missing. She’s Lucy Hill, a corporate executive on the fast track to success in Florida, the Sunshine State. Her sexist colleagues pack her off to retool a Minnesota factory the corporation has taken over. That means lay-offs, union unpleasantness and at least a couple of long months in... Read more
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