It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas supernatural drama film produced and directed by Frank Capra. The film is based on the short story and booklet "The Greatest Gift" self-published by Philip Van Doren Stern in 1943, which itself is loosely based on the 1843 Charles Dickens novella "A Christmas Carol". The film stars James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, and Thomas Mitchell.
The story follows George Bailey, a small-town man whose life seems so desperate he contemplates suicide. An angel named Clarence is sent from Heaven to help George by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. The film is well-structured, effectively utilizing its long set-up to make its audience care about its protagonist and his life.
Today, It's a Wonderful Life is considered to be one of the greatest films of all time and among the best Christmas films. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and has been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made. It was No. 11 on the American Film Institute's 1998 greatest movie list, No. 20 on its 2007 greatest movie list, and No. 1 on its list of the most inspirational American films of all time.
Some interesting facts about the film include:
- When It's a Wonderful Life was released in 1946, it was a box office flop for RKO Studios. It didn't become a Christmas classic until its copyright lapsed, and broadcasters were able to show it royalty-free.
- In 1977, just a year after It's a Wonderful Life became available to television audiences, it was adapted into a made-for-TV movie called "It Happened One Christmas" starring Cloris Leachman and Orson Welles.
- The film's director, Frank Capra, didn't think of it as a holiday film at all. He saw the movie as an examination of "the individual's belief in itself".
Trailer
Cast
- James Stewart as George Bailey
- Donna Reed as Mary Hatch Bailey
- Lionel Barrymore as Mr. Potter
- Thomas Mitchell as Uncle Billy
- Henry Travers as Clarence
- Beulah Bondi as Ma Bailey
- Frank Faylen as Ernie Bishop
- Ward Bond as Bert the cop
- Gloria Grahame as Violet Bick
Other notable cast members include H.B. Warner as Mr. Gower, Todd Karns as Harry Bailey, Samuel S. Hinds as Pa Bailey, and Mary Treen as Cousin Tilly.
Director: Frank Capra
Writer: Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra, Philip Van Doren Stern, Jo Swerling
Box Office (Gross USA): $8,574,081
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 7, 1946
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Dec 18, 2018
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016