Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1019 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-11-26
• Rating: Universal, suitable for all
• Formats: Black & White, PAL, Subtitled
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 130 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Now perhaps the most beloved American film, It's a Wonderful Life was largely forgotten for years, due to a copyright quirk. Only in the late 1970s did it find its audience through repeated TV showings. Frank Capra's masterwork deserves its status as a feel-good communal event, but it is also one of the most fascinating films in the American cinema, a multilayered work of Dickensian density. George Bailey (played superbly by James Stewart) grows up in the small town of Bedford Falls, dreaming dreams of adventure and travel, but circumstances conspire to keep him enslaved to his home turf. Frustrated by his life, and haunted by an impending scandal, George prepares to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. A heavenly messenger (Henry Travers) arrives to show him a vision: what the world would have been like if George had never been born. The sequence is a vivid depiction of the American Dream gone bad, and probably the wildest thing Capra ever shot (the director's optimistic vision may have darkened during his experiences making military films in World War II). Capra's triumph is to acknowledge the difficulties and disappointments of life, while affirming--in the teary-eyed final reel--his cherished values of friendship and individual achievement. It's a Wonderful Life was not a big hit on its initial release, and it won no Oscars (Capra and Stewart were nominated); but it continues to weave a special magic. --Robert Horton

Synopsis
A good but slightly ineffectual man tries to off himself after an error that really wasn't his fault. In Christmas carol fashion, his crusty-but-lovable guardian angel shows up to give him a tour of the world without his presence, and it isn't a pretty place. Moral courage, small-town American life, civic cooperation, and family love are glorified; corporate greed and self-involvement are vilified; at the climax, a blanket of snow like spun sugar makes everything pure and clean like redemption itself.

Customer Reviews

Magical; changed my life
Good films have the power to inspire, amaze and leave audiences captivated.
Legendary films have the power to change lives and the way we as humans look at the world forever.
This is an unforgettable film. All Christians (who are devout and religious) ought to watch this film.
I am not Christian, nontheless this film had not only left me crying by the end, completely moved, but ultimately like George (the lead character)it prompted and encourgaed me to understand that all our lives no matter who we are or what we do are truly worth living. Maybe like George (and I know I may be spoiling it here), we should ask ourselves how many peoples' lives have 'I 'changed or influenced for the better. Maybe like George, we would only truly begin to appreciate life and see it as a miracle after our 'guardian angels' have descended from heaven and showed us what the world would be like if we hadn't been born.
A fundamentally simple, yet phenomenal film. It's power and beauty lies in utterly convincing us that life is worth living no matter what; as well as the potential, innate kindness, compassion laying deep within all our hearts as humans, and I can think of no higher praise for any film.

I would give this film a million stars if I could; I would 'lasso the moon' and give it not just stars but the whole moon if I could. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

A Timeless Classic Feel Good Film for All the Family a gem
George Bailey played by James Stewart is an ordinary guy who wants to rid himself of his home town of Bedford Falls and see the World......Fate however has it that he stays in Bedford Falls and gets married to Mary aka the beautiful Donna Mills and has kids taking on his fathers Building and Loan small business struggling to make ends meet he comes up against a ruthless business shark in Mr Potter played with perfection by Lionel Barrymore....what transpires from here is a desperate man at his wits end looking for an answer only to find it in an angel named Clarence.....will George survive and see the light? It's a Wonderful Life is undoubtedly the best film ever to hit celluloid and probably James Stewart's greatest ever role...This film inspires you to a higher level when watching it ...taking you on an emotional roller coaster ride of life which there is a lot of identification.....The cast is exemplary the storyline oozes class and this film will still be popular in another 100 years it's a gem...

My favourite film of all time
It's traditional in my house to watch this movie at Christmas time. As December draws near, I have to restrain myself from running upstairs and getting the DVD out.

Fantastic performances from the cast, but in particular the incredible James Stewart - a genius and pure master of his craft.

If you've never seen it, you've missed a rare treat. Don't deprive yourselves any longer......