On Christmas eve, all of the citizens of the small town of Bedford Falls pray to the heavens to help George Bailey. It’s then decided that Clarence, an angel who hasn’t earned his wings, is to help George. Before he does, he should know who George Bailey was. George Bailey grew up in Bedford Falls, a small town where he dreams of leaving it and making his mark on the world. His family’s business is the only thing stands between the good citizens and Mr. Potter, a rich miser who takes sick pleasure in taking from everybody, without even caring how it affects them. George was all set to leave when his father died and had to take care of the business. George would forever be hindered by his plans to leave and thinks that he is nothing but a failure, he decides to kill himself. That’s when Clarence comes in and tries to convince him that he has made something with his life, and that he had a “Wonderful Life”.

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
  • Rating: (135,955 votes)
  • Taglines:They're making memories tonight! » Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! How could it be anything else? »
  • Runtime:130 minutes
  • Director: Frank Capra
  • Country:USA
  • Actors:
    George Bailey
    James Stewart
    Mary Hatch
    Donna Reed
    Henry F. Potter
    Lionel Barrymore
    Uncle Billy Bailey
    Thomas Mitchell
    Clarence
    Henry Travers
    Ma Bailey
    Beulah Bondi
    Ernie Bishop
    Frank Faylen
    Bert
    Ward Bond
    Violet Bick
    Gloria Grahame
    Mr. Gower
    H.B. Warner
  • Genres:Drama, Family, Fantasy
  • Producer:
    Frank Capra
    producer  
  • Plots: George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, George's Uncle Billy loses the business's $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Potter finds the misplaced money and hides it from Billy. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, their young children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in a gentle angel named Clarence coming to earth to help George, with the promise of earning his wings. He shows George what things would have been like if he had never been born. In a nightmarish vision in which the Potter-controlled town is sunk in sex and sin, those George loves are either dead, ruined, or miserable. He realizes that he has touched many people in a positive way and that his life has truly been a wonderful one. Written by alfiehitchie
It's a Wonderful Life
  • User's comment:IT'S NOT OFFICIALLY CHRISTMAS SEASON UNTIL I WATCH THIS MOVIE by brianlion

    I am so glad Frank Capra had a vision to make "It's A Wonderful Life". I'm glad he chose Jimmy Stewart to play George Bailey. There are some little gems in life that help make life pleasant. It is not officially the Christmas season without watching this little gem. The supporting cast is perfectly matched. Donna Reed is wonderful as well as all the characters of the town. This would be a great movie, even if it were not in a Christmas setting. The holiday flavor makes it even more charming and memorable. A angel trying to get his wings is a little far-fetched, but Capra pulls it off. The impact of living a good life cannot be underestimated. What would life be like for your family if you had never been born? Our actions do speak loudly. In an age of 9-11, we need this movie more than ever. The values of "It's A Wonderful Life" still hold true today. Yes, I'll say it, it's a wonderful movie.


  • Quotes: George Bailey: Just a minute... just a minute. Now, hold on, Mr. Potter. You're right when you say my father was no businessman. I know that. Why he ever started this cheap, penny-ante Building and Loan, I'll never know. But neither you nor anyone else can say anything against his character, because his whole life was... why, in the 25 years since he and his brother, Uncle Billy, started this thing, he never once thought of himself. Isn't that right, Uncle Billy? He didn't save enough money to send Harry away to college, let alone me. But he did help a few people get out of your slums, Mr. Potter, and what's wrong with that? Why... here, you're all businessmen here. Doesn't it make them better citizens? Doesn't it make them better customers? You... you said... what'd you say a minute ago? They had to wait and save their money before they even ought to think of a decent home. Wait? Wait for what? Until their children grow up and leave them? Until they're so old and broken down that they... Do you know how long it takes a working man to save $5,000? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you're talking about... they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him. But to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they're cattle. Well in my book, my father died a much richer man than you'll ever be! George Bailey: [yelling at Uncle Billy] Where's that money, you silly stupid old fool? Where's that money? Do you realize what this means? It means bankruptcy and scandal and prison! That's what it means! One of us is going to jail... well, it's not gonna be me! Nick: [ringing the cash register repeatedly] Get me. I'm givin' out wings!
  • Also known as: La vie est belle (Belgium - French title), La vie est belle (Canada - French title), La vie est belle (France), ¡Qué bello es vivir! (Peru - imdb display title), ¡Qué bello es vivir! (Spain), Divan zivot (Serbia - imdb display title), Divan zivot (Yugoslavia - imdb display title, Croatian title), Ist das Leben nicht schön? (Austria - TV title), Ist das Leben nicht schön? (West Germany - TV title), ¡Que bello es vivir! (Uruguay), A Felicidade Não Se Compra (Brazil), Az élet csodaszép (Hungary), Det er herligt at leve (Denmark), Do Céu Caiu Uma Estrela (Portugal), Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (USA - complete title), Ihmeellinen on elämä (Finland), La vita è meravigliosa (Italy), Livet är underbart (Sweden), Livet er vidunderlig (Norway - imdb display title), Mens, durf te leven (Netherlands - informal literal title), Mia yperohi zoi (Greece - transliterated ISO-LATIN-1 title), O viata minunata (Romania - imdb display title), Qué bello es vivir (Argentina), Que bonic és viure! (Spain - Catalan title), Que la vie est belle (Belgium - French title), Sahane hayat (Turkey - DVD title, Turkish title), Subarashiki kana, jinsei! (Japan), The Greatest Gift (USA - working title), To wspaniale zycie (Poland), Wat een mooi leven (Belgium - Flemish title), Zycie jest cudowne (Poland),

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