It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Directed by Frank Capra. Starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers, Beulah Bondi, Ward Bond, Frank Faylen, and Gloria Grahame.
Based on Philip Van Doren Stern’s short story The Greatest Gift the film follows the life of George Bailey. George has always dreamed of travelling the world, but something always stands in his way, usually George putting his dreams to one side to help the people around him.
After experiencing some serious bad luck at a crucial moment George contemplates suicide, believing everyone would be better off without him…and that’s when Angel in training Clarence shows up and shows George the what the world would look like if he’d never been born.
Initially a financial failure It’s a Wonderful Life has become one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time, and a Christmas must. It was also nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, but missed out to The Best Years of Our Lives (anyone?)
It was also remade for television in 1977 under the title It Happened One Christmas, but with a gender reversal. Mary Bailey instead of George Bailey and Clara instead of Clarence?
Are you a fan of It’s a Wonderful Life? Does it make your Christmas watchlist each year? And have you seen either The Best Years of Our Lives or It Happened One Christmas?