Customer Reviews

It's a Wonderful Life

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The American Film Institute calls this movie the 11th greatest movie ever made. This movie will completely change your perspective on life. I strongly suggest watching this movie, for it will have a meaningful impact at the way you understand things.

Truly a great and inspirational film, "Wonderful Life" will remain one of my favorites and a classic. The colorized version? Skip it. See this one.

But, oh, Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy. He is the best actor in history and in this film, this one being his first one after WW2, he delivers in his usual style.

He plays everyday schmuck George Bailey, a modern day Bob Cratchit with an urge to get out on his own.

Unfortunately, he is forced to watch his dreams get smashed repeatedly by business and family obligations. It is on Christmas Eve that his last shred of hope is diminished and he is forced to take the only way out; suicide.

Then we have Clarence, George's guardian angel who hasn't earned any wings. He gives proof to my theory (convieniently called the Frank Capra/Jimmy Stewart theory) that everyone has an effect on everyone else.

He shows George that he should stop feeling sorry for himself by creating an alternate reality; one that shows what Georges hometown of Bedford Falls would have been like without George.

It is here that Capra shows a darker, spookier side as he takes us into what is now called Pottersville, named after the rich villain of the story Henry F. Potter. It has been transformed from an innocent Mom and Pop town to a Las Vegas-ish pit.

The most powerful scene is that where George meets up with Mary, a woman who (in the real world) was his wife. Here, we see that she has turned into a lonely old maid.

Frank Capra was the Spielberg of his time, and the way that he tells the story of one man who doesn't know his own goodness, is truly amazing.

The colorized version of this timeless holoday classic is a complete desecration of the original black and white presentation. The garish washed out colors (done in 1988 by Colorization Inc.), destroys the shadow and picture contrasts and kills the entire mood and tone of the film.
Go with the original black and white version. You will enjoy the pathos of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), who attempts to commit suicide after a financial breakdown but is stopped by his guardian angel who shows him the importance of his life...This is a true holiday classic that is strictly meant to be seen in B&W!!!!!!!

i think that this film is an all time classic,my wife and 4 kids and all our immediate family really enjoy sitting down to this film at xmas. it is a lighter way to enjoy xmas day and appreciate what you have, than to watch the usual garbage that is on tv at xmas time, i must add that it was my wife that got me into this film as she is a classic film fanatic and i must strongly agree that this is definetly a classic. happy viewing

Many of the reviews of It's a Wonderful Life focus on its "corniness" or "schmaltz" or on scenes which are less than believable ("No one would ever pour cash on a table!" "Cops aren't supposed to shoot into a crowd!" "Who can believe Mary would have been a spinster librarian!" etc.). I think these reviews miss the point entirely. The central theme of the movie--that the individual's life is significant and touches many other lives--is a universal one. We all have dreams for our lives, and the realization that some of them may not be fulfilled can often bring great despair. George Bailey reaches this point in his life and, through a sequence of events that is both humorous and touching, comes to realize that his life has meaning and value, even though he has not achieved his original aspirations.

Sure, there are lots of corny moments, and the end is definitely schmaltzy--yet there is also genuine emotion. I consider the moment when Harry raises his glass to "my big brother George, the richest man in town" the highlight of the film.

Don't listen to the naysayers and cynics! Watch this film and enjoy it, and then take a moment to ponder the significance of your own life. And if you can't see any, then go out and GET ONE (a life).

As a lover of classic films, this one tops them all.
I remember watching this as a child every Christmas and the tradition continued into my adulthood that I now share with my husband.
A movie to really make you think and appreciate all that surrounds you - a fantastic "glad to be alive" message that is as powerful today as it was in 1947.
I believe everyone should at least see it once....yes, it's an older movie and not quite up to par with what is produced today (with all the special effects and fast paced story lines, etc..), but it is worth the time in everyone's busy schedule to watch.

This is a mini review of one of my all time top 10 favorite films

Since this film is set at Christmas time many view it as a must see film for the holiday season. While this is well and good, it may obscure the true greatness of this picture. Simply put: This is the best film of all time. It is definitely worth watching anytime of the year.

It's a wonderful life reunites director Capra and actor Stewart at the height of their powers. Lionel Barrymore is perfect as the miserly Mr. Potter. The film is an excellent fusion of wry comedy and tender sentiment.

This uplifting film directed by Frank Capra was released in 1947; still being watched years later, It's a Wonderful Life is a true classic. Starring James Stewart and Donna Reed it was nominated for five Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. The message this story portrays is timeless; not only that no one is poor who has friends, but also that you reap what you sow. When George Bailey (Stewart) was a young man he was driven by his dreams and desires to explore the world and build great things. Unfortunately, George's dreams were repeatedly put on hold by his sense of obligation to his deceased father, the struggling family business, and his friends in Bedford Falls. After years of living in the small town that he always longed to escape and doing a job he never really wanted, impending bankruptcy causes George to hit an all time low. Contemplating suicide, it takes a guardian angel to make him see all the good things that he accomplished in his life and how many lives around him that he touched beginning when he was just a boy. James Stewart gives an emotional performance; whether he is praising his father's morals and decency as a human being, praying to God for guidance, or celebrating his new outlook on life the viewer can relate to his passion, desperation, or joy. Throughout his life George Bailey sowed and nurtured many friendships and in the end he reaped the rewards of each and every one. I give it five stars.

Miracle on 34th Street is a wonderful movie but on the DVD that I bought the sound isn't in sync with the actors lips but is a little bit ahead of them. However, It's a Wonderful Life gets five stars; there are no problems with that DVD.

Back in the 70's I went to see "It's a Wonderful Life" at a theatre that specialized in old movies. I hadn't heard much about this one but I thought I'd take a chance since it boasted both Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra. What a major surprize that screening turned out to be. It was as though someone had dug up a previously forgotten movie on par with "The Wizard of Oz". I don't know how this movie drifted into obscurity for so many years but it has really busted out of it now, hasn't it!

What this movie offers is a solid family experience with a lesson for all. At first it seems like just another "good" movie as we see the life of a young man (Gearge Baily) being recounted by some angels up in heaven. All seems well but it also appears that the weight of the world keeps getting added to George Baily's back one pound at a time. In time this happy life reaches a breaking point and then we start to see the real beauty of the story. George Baily's guardian angel, Clarence, grants him his wish to see what life would be like if he (George Baily) had never been born. Now all those minor and major incidents in George's life that we saw in the first two thirds of the movie suddenly take on a very special meaning. We see how those things affected the lives of so many people and (this IS a Capra movie afterall) always for the better. In case you haven't seen this movie, I'll leave the plot hanging there. The ending is truly heart-warming.

This movie has a lot going for it besides the plot. The directing is terrific as is usually the case in a Frank Capra movie. The acting is terrific with Stewart taking the lead as George Baily. Henry Travers may have been a lesser known character actor in his other roles but he achieved immortality (forgive the pun) as Clarence ASC. Donna Reed is well-cast as the girl-next-door who grew up to be Mrs. George Baily. Lionel Barrymore is terrifically sinister in the role of Old Man Potter. There are plenty of others who make this movie great. Indeed, the nature of the plot has a seemingly record number of role-players who are essential to the story.

If you haven't yet seen this movie, then you have been missing a real treat. When you do get around to seeing it, I recommend that you see it from the start. It's really impressive the way everything eventually fits together so neatly. This movie is like a warm hug on a sad day. It will really pick you up!