An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.
- Nominated for 5 Oscars
- 7 wins & 6 nominations total
Sarah Edwards
- Mrs. Hatch
- (as Sara Edwards)
William Edmunds
- Mr. Martini
- (as Bill Edmunds)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFor the scene that required Donna Reed to throw a rock through the window of the Granville house, director Frank Capra hired a marksman to shoot it out on cue. To everyone's amazement, Reed broke the window by herself. She had played baseball in high school and had a strong throwing arm.
- GoofsAt one point George (James Stewart) calls Violet (Gloria Grahame), Gloria.
- Crazy creditsA ringing facsimile of the Liberty Bell (without the crack) forms the backdrop for the studio logo, which is Liberty Films, and the opening credits are in a scrapbook with Christmas decorations. The bell reappears before the end credits, and the end credits have a Christmas card picture as a backdrop.
- Alternate versionsPre-2006 home entertainment releases and NBC broadcasts had the 1994 version of Republic Pictures logo (in color) at the start.
- ConnectionsEdited into Have Rocket -- Will Travel (1959)
Featured review
Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like It's A Wonderful Life.
Does it take me back to that place in my heart, that makes me long for everything that once was great and it could be again? Does it remind me of my childhood, Christmas in my home? No. Maybe it's just simply what I always wanted from life and every man I want to be.
Everything about this film is well for lack of better words, perfect. No question to it any longer, the best performance by an actor I have ever seen. It's more than just beautiful, timeless or fair. All of Stewart is revealed. Everything coming together for Capra. Lionel Barrymore at his best, which seems to be his worst.
Sometimes I think there is a reason why somethings happen. And I'm pretty sure there is some magical reason why this film was made. I'm 27 years old and saw it for the first time Christmas Eve of this year. I've watched it 3 times since. The only movie to ever make me cry. I probably wouldn't have all the answers for you, if you asked me why. I'm still trying to figure Stewart out and just how beautiful was Reed.
What can I say? This movie is a life changing experience.
Makes me feel good to be alive. What a wonderful little world it is. And if I waited my entire life, it would not be a waste of time.
Does it take me back to that place in my heart, that makes me long for everything that once was great and it could be again? Does it remind me of my childhood, Christmas in my home? No. Maybe it's just simply what I always wanted from life and every man I want to be.
Everything about this film is well for lack of better words, perfect. No question to it any longer, the best performance by an actor I have ever seen. It's more than just beautiful, timeless or fair. All of Stewart is revealed. Everything coming together for Capra. Lionel Barrymore at his best, which seems to be his worst.
Sometimes I think there is a reason why somethings happen. And I'm pretty sure there is some magical reason why this film was made. I'm 27 years old and saw it for the first time Christmas Eve of this year. I've watched it 3 times since. The only movie to ever make me cry. I probably wouldn't have all the answers for you, if you asked me why. I'm still trying to figure Stewart out and just how beautiful was Reed.
What can I say? This movie is a life changing experience.
Makes me feel good to be alive. What a wonderful little world it is. And if I waited my entire life, it would not be a waste of time.
- How long is It's a Wonderful Life?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- ¡Qué bello es vivir!
- Filming locations
- 4587 Viro Road, La Cañada Flintridge, California, USA(exterior of Martini's house)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $3,180,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,483,643
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $44,000
- Dec 20, 2020
- Gross worldwide
- $9,767,242
- Runtime2 hours 10 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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