IMDb > It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
It's a Wonderful Life
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It's a Wonderful Life (1946) More at IMDbPro »

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It's a Wonderful Life (1946) -- An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would had been like if he never existed.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) -- Clip: You want the moon?
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) -- MyMovies.Net - Exclusive interview with Karolyn Grimes

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Overview

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Up 45% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

Frances Goodrich (screenplay) and
Albert Hackett (screenplay) ...
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Contact:

View company contact information for It's a Wonderful Life on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

7 January 1947 (USA) more

Tagline:

They're making memories tonight! more

Plot:

An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would had been like if he never existed. full summary | full synopsis

Plot Keywords:

more

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 4 wins more

User Comments:

Atop my Top Ten more (503 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:

Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (USA) (complete title)
The Greatest Gift (USA) (working title)
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Runtime:

130 min | Spain:118 min (25 fps) (DVD edition)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Canada:F (Ontario) | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) | South Korea:12 | Brazil:Livre | Sweden:15 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Germany:6 | Spain:T | UK:U | USA:Approved (PCA #11656)


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

Ranked as the #1 Most Powerful Movie of All Time by the American Film Institute (2006). more

Goofs:

Continuity: A hat being held by someone donating money in the Bailey house first has a little snow then a lot of snow then no snow. more

Quotes:

[first lines]
Mr. Emil Gower: I owe everything to George Bailey. Help him, dear Father.
more

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Home Alone (1990) more

Soundtrack:

My Wild Irish Rose more


FAQ

What are the names of George and Mary's four children?
Are Bert and Ernie from "Sesame Street" named after Bert, the cop, and Ernie, the taxi driver, from "It's a Wonderful Life"?
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155 out of 172 people found the following comment useful.
Atop my Top Ten, 9 December 1998
Author: dweck from Philadelphia, PA, USA

I am a film lover from 'way back, having even served a stint as a newspaper movie critic. Entries in my personal list of Greatest Films of All Time include "Fantasia," "To Kill A Mockingbird," "Casablanca," "Singin' in the Rain," "North by Northwest," and "The Sound of Music. But sitting atop all of them, as undisputed champ, is "It's a Wonderful Life."

I have seen it hundreds of times (dating back to, oh, when I was a teenager I suppose, and our local PBS station ran it as part of a pledge drive). I drive my wife and family to distraction when we watch it together because I quote all the dialogue along with the actors.

I cry every time--and this is after viewing upon viewing--when Harry Bailey toasts his big brother George as "...the richest man in town." The emotions in that scene are so true and pure that I can't help but be affected by them.

The performances are unparalleled. Stewart is brilliant as a small-town dreamer who loses and finds his way. His superlative acting abilities cause us to identify strongly with him (how many of us have lamented--even to ourselves--that no one seems to notice the sacrifices we've made?), which is, I think, why the movie bears up under so many repeat viewings. Reed is just lovely here, the epitome of sunny girlfriend, caring lover, devoted wife, dedicated mother.

Capra's talent as a screenwriter are all over this script. He knows just how hard to tug the heartstrings without becoming overblown or phony. And his technical wizardry is evident too. I've never seen--before or since--more natural-looking onscreen snow.

Watching IAWL has become a tonic, a pick-me-up when I really need one--whether it's the Christmas season or not. Its message--that each one of us is important and has *something* to contribute to the greater good--is one about which the world could use some reminding from time to time.

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Favorite Scene aclements27-1
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I just watched this movie for the first time... althea-15
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It's A Wonderful Life circa 2009 DairyQueen
Jimmy Stewart discusses Frank Capra/IAWL in excellent article... offmynut
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