It's a Wonderful Life

Frank Capra (1946)

130min

U Certificate

Review

Our Score

by David Parkinson

This masterpiece from Frank Capra is a film with much more to it than festive feel-good sentimentality and still has a lot to say about community spirit. As the suicidal man who is shown the value of his life by his guardian angel, central character George Bailey is Mr Deeds, John Doe and Mr Smith rolled into one and only James Stewart could have so successfully lent him the self-doubt that gnaws away at his essential decency. As with all good morality tales, the villain has to be exceptional, too, and Lionel Barrymore is at the peak of his powers as the evil Potter. The term Capra-esque is too often misapplied: forget the imitations and revel in the genuine article.

Summary

A hard-working, small-town businessman comes to think his life has been a complete waste of time and tries to commit suicide. At the last minute, his guardian angel pays him a visit and makes him realise his true worth by showing him what would have happened to those around him had he never been born. Fantasy drama, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi, Thomas Mitchell and Frank Faylen.

Cast & Crew

George Bailey James Stewart

Mary Hatch Donna Reed

Mr Potter Lionel Barrymore

Uncle Billy Thomas Mitchell

Clarence Oddbody Henry Travers

Mrs Bailey Beulah Bondi

Ernie Frank Faylen

Bert Ward Bond

Violet Bick Gloria Grahame

Mr Gower H B Warner

Harry Bailey Todd Karns

Pa Bailey Samuel S Hinds

Cousin Tilly Mary Teen

Sam Wainwright Frank Albertson

Little George Bailey Robert J Anderson

Director Frank Capra

Other Information

Language: EnglishBlack and whiteTheatrical distributor: Park CircusAvailable on: video, DVD and Blu-rayReleased on: 14 Dec 2018

Drama

Full Episode Guide