It's a Wonderful Life Movie Review 1946

American classic about a man saved from suicide by a considerate angel, who then shows the hero how important he's been to the lives of loved ones. Corny but inspirational and heartwarming, with an endearing performance by Travers as angel Clarence. Stewart and Reed are typically wholesome. Perfect film for people who want to feel good, joyfully teetering on the border between Hollywood schmaltz and genuine heartbreak. Available colorized. Also available in a 160-minute Collector's Edition with original preview trailer, "The Making of `It's a Wonderful Life,'" and a new digital transfer from the original negative.

Distribution

Home Vision Cinema, c/o Image Entertainment, 20525 Nordhoff St., Ste. 200, Chatsworth, CA 91311, URL: http://www.homevision.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 125 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Comedy Drama, Fantasy, Christmas, Death & the Afterlife, Suicide, Family Ties, Heaven Sent, Libraries and Librarians, Angels, Director/Star Teams: Capra & Stewart, Bridges, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Jo Swerling

Cast

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, James Stewart, Donna Reed, Henry Travers, Thomas Mitchell, Lionel Barrymore, Samuel S. Hinds, Frank Faylen, Gloria Grahame, H.B. Warner, Ellen Corby, Sheldon Leonard, Beulah Bondi, Ward Bond, Frank Albertson, Todd Karns, Mary Treen, Charles Halton

Cinematography

Joseph Biroc, Joseph Walker

Director

Frank Capra

Music

Dimitri Tiomkin

Producer

Liberty Films, RKO

Awards

AFI 1998: Top 100; Golden Globes 1947: Director (Capra), Natl. Film Reg. 1990.