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It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Rate:
10
Viewed:
4/09
4/09:
I remember during the Christmas seasons of the 80's and 90's that It's a Wonderful Life played on television
almost every night, sometimes on five different channels at the same time.
While listening to Frank Capra's presentation, I didn't realize the movie wasn't in copyright after 1974 and thus was transferred
to the public domain. What makes this interesting is the movie was subsequently forgotten after release as it was a box-office
failure, which is hard to believe, before being rediscovered on television. As a result, it increasingly caught the attention of
many and therefore was labeled as a timeless classic, becoming a permanent staple of Christmas.
As for the film, well...what can I say? It's a Wonderful Life is really the Christmas picture of them all. It also
captures the human spirit. The last twenty minutes is what transcends the film as a whole, hence the
repeated viewings. Any time you are confronted by a person who wants to commit suicide, the best answer is to tell him to watch
It's a Wonderful Life. This piece of advice will probably save his life by offering him a new perspective.
James Stewart gives the performance of his career. He made a lot of films, and many of them have been enduring classics.
But It's a Wonderful Life is what makes him stand out among the greatest actors in the history of motion pictures.
The supporting cast is perfect as well. Donna Reed can't be more magnificent. Lionel Barrymore is Mr. Potter. Ironically,
when the tide of the story changes, I don't get to see his reaction which is to say he's not important in the grand scheme of things.
Frank Capra said something else important that the positive feeling associated with It's a Wonderful Life is almost
nonexistent in movies today, and I wholeheartedly agree with him.
All in all, it's impossible not to be moved by It's a Wonderful Life.