Editorial Review:

Amazon.co.uk ReviewNow 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

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Rating: - It's a wonderful film
A great classic - one that I'm sure we have all seen in our childhood. A really lovely family tear-jerker.

The film seems to have been remastered and is better for it.

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Rating: - Grossly overpriced
This is an excellent film but why are we being charged almost £12 for a DVD of a B/W film made in 1944. This is a disgrace and a rip off!

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Rating: - Overpriced
This product is overpriced as it is in the public domain, due to a copyright mixup!!!!!!

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Rating: - Subtitles?
Can you confirm me that the 60th anniversary edition has subtitles in english? thankyou!! and happy holydays!

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Rating: - A beautiful, wonderful Christmas film!
I must have watched this film every Christmas for the past twenty years. It's most definitely in my top ten - perhaps my fave film ever.

Jimmy Stewart is just perfect for the role as George Bailey, whose world looks like its falling apart when he loses the money of his company and decides he would do everyone a favour by committing suicide. Along comes his rather bumbling guardian angel - Clarence - to show him what life would have been like if he had never been born. George eventually ... Read More

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