It's a Wonderful Life DVD
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Product Details Actors: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Henry Travers |
Product Description
A good but slightly ineffectual man tries to off himself after an error that really wasn't his fault. In A CHRISTMAS CAROL fashion, his crusty-but-lovable guardian angel shows up to give him a tour of what the world would be like without him in it, and it isn't a pretty place. Moral courage, small-town American life, civic cooperation, and family love are glorified; corporate greed and self-involvement are vilified. And at the end, a blanket of snow like spun sugar makes everything pure and clean--like redemption itself.
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It's A Wonderful Life (DVD) Review
The quintessential Christmas classic, It's A Wonderful Life has dominated the holiday TV landscape with its timeless story of love, friendship, and a kind man's exceedingly relevant life. Filmed in 1947, this Frank Capra masterpiece debuted in theaters to what could best be described as a lukewarm reception. Yet it quickly rose in stature following repeated annual television airings in the 1960s, a Christmas tradition that continues to this day. Centered around the life of George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart), a likeable, ambitious resident of Bedford Falls who harbors dreams of grandeur, the film sets out to portray a viewpoint of a world in which the divine's ultimate plan may be far different from our own. Yet the result of that plan is far better than we could ever imagine...
As the film begins, we gain a glimpse into the life and times of a young George Bailey, an upstanding and studious fellow who manages to avert two potential disasters by the age of ten. Under the employ of neighborhood druggist Mr. Gower, Bailey prevents the delivery of a poison prescription, and while enjoying the boyhood wonders of the local ice pond, he rescues his younger brother from certain death by pulling him from a patch of broken ice.
From these early years, the story jumps several years into the future, where a grown up and infectiously optimistic George harbors wild dreams of world travel, exploration, and the construction of large buildings. But inevitably, he stays in Bedford Falls in order to carry on the family business, the small yet popular Bailey Savings & Loan (the only financial institution in Bedford Falls not owned by the unmerciful tycoon Mr. Potter). As the years pass, Bailey must deal with his own family problems, his unfulfilled dreams, and the burdens of the Great Depression. Along the way, he's tempted with offers of vast wealth and travel opportunities by the conniving Potter, but he always turns him down, opting to work for the benefit of the community instead.
However when a seemingly innocent snafu threatens to bring down Bailey Savings & Loan, George ponders the unthinkable. He questions his very existence and the true worth of his life. Disillusioned by feelings of failure and a pessimistic outlook for the future, he fails to see the true value of his life. In the end, only divine intervention and the warm hearts of the people of Bedford Falls can transform George's outlook and force to him to recognize the extraordinary life he's lived...
The innate power of It's A Wonderful Life stems from the strength of numerous performances, most notably that of Jimmy Stewart. Much like Tom Hanks today, Stewart played the role of the everyman during his long tenure in Hollywood. He may have lacked the sex appeal of Clark Gabel or the cowboy virility of John Wayne, but he fit perfectly in the mold of best friend and loveable guy. In a feel-good, fairy tale film like this one, Stewart is cast perfectly, and he's well complemented by a host of others... Who else could play the role of the grumpy miser any better than Lionel Barrymore? All in all, it's a recipe for silver screen excellence.
It's A Wonderful Life illuminates an almost magical setting with its idyllic portrayal of Depression-era, small-town America. Each character (with the exception of Mr. Potter), harkens back to a simpler time when public attitudes toward morality prevailed, where neighbors knew each other by name, and where communities helped each other out. Further strengthening the allure of the film, George Bailey and his friends are likeable characters who develop a strong rapport with the audience, forcing the viewer to actively root for the desired outcome. It's this personal connection with the audience (and an audience ability to relate to the overriding themes) which is the key to the enduring success of this film. Having spent over five decades as America's most popular Christmas movie, It's A Wonderful Life deserves mention among the ranks of the all-time classics of cinema.
About the Author
Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a movie review site [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com] where you can find more reviews like this one of the It's A Wonderful Life (DVD) Review [http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2006/03/its-wonderful-life-dvd.html].
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It's a Wonderful Life - Movie Review
I didn't see this movie until after I was married. I don't even remember hearing of it. So my wife insisted that I watch it. When it first started with that scene of twinkling stars talking to each other, I have to say that I didn't really want to watch it. But I hung in there and of course the story hooked me for life. I don't watch the whole thing every year now, but usually see at least a portion of it.
There are a few interesting back story facts about this movie. It was Frank Capra's first post war movie. It was based on a short story written by Philip Van Doren Stern - which he wrote on a Christmas card. (That must have been a really short story!) Jimmy Stewart who plays the leading role almost turned down the part. It did turn out to be a favorite of both James Stewart and Frank Capra and they weren't so pleased when it was colorized. When the movie first came out in 1946 it got mixed reviews. It did get 5 nominations for Academy Awards but didn't win any.
I can understand why the movie eventually caught on. It seems that the pros are often out of touch with what really works when it comes to the viewers. This movie while fanciful is wholesome and reflects the kind of values that people yearn for. It tells of qualities of character that people admire and wish they could exhibit more frequently in their own lives.
What are those qualities? Self-sacrifice for one. George Bailey who dreams of traveling the world over more than once forfeits those dreams to give preference to the needs of others. When his father dies and the bank he ran needs someone to take the helm or be sold, George steps up to the plate. After he marries and is ready to go on his honeymoon, and the stock market crashes and goes crazy, once again he stays behind and even offers up his honeymoon money to tied people over until the banks stabilized. And when his brother comes home after the war, but George learns has married and his father-in-law has offered him a job of a life-time, he again steps back to allows his brother the chance to pursue his opportunities.
What does George get for his self-sacrifice? Disaster. When uncle Billy loses a sizeable amount of money, George takes responsibility and the risk of going to jail. This leads him to consider taking his own life and the story line turns as the angel Clarence enters to convince him that his has been a wonderful life. How? By learning that he has made many friends along the way, making him the richest man in town!
W. Green enjoys writing about a variety of topics. He also develops websites that help people find the information they are looking for. Visit his most recent website at http://www.moviepostersforsale.org/. He also writes reviews on movie posters like the Princess and the Frog movie poster.
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