It's
A Wonderful Life (1946) Two-disc Collector's set
Paramount
Cast:
James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers.
Rating:
G
Run
time: 130 mins.
Genre:
Christmas
Verdict:
Brilliant
(see rating
system)
It's
No. 2 on my list of the Best Christmas Movies and the great
news is that for Christmas 2007 there's this new edition featuring
the recently colorized version of this classic movie PLUS
the original black and white - both in pristine condition.
This
heartwarming Christmas favourite is worth watching in any
season of the year.
Virtually
ignored when it was released, Frank Capra's classic story
of everyman George Bailey discovering his dull, small-town
life really does have meaning slowly grew into a legendary
film that is now an indelible part of the Christmas season
Just
back from four years as a decorated pilot leading bombing
missions against the Nazis during the Second World War, James
Stewart slipped right back into the acting groove as Bailey.
The son of a building loan company owner who is a poor businessman,
but a friend to the poor and oppressed people of Bedford Falls,
George dreams of going to college and travelling the world.
But
when his father suddenly dies, George puts off his college
plans to nurse the company along until his brother Harry gets
back from college and can take over. But the more George yearns
to leave "this crummy town", the bigger the obstacles
seem to get. The one bright spot in his frustrated life is
marriage to the lovely Mary (Donna Reed)
The
Building & Loan is a thorn in the side of miser Henry
Potter (Lionel Barrymore in full Scrooge mode), who owns just
about everything else in town. Unable to legally shut it down,
Potter seizes his chance to destroy it when fate presents
the opportunity one Christmas Eve.
Facing
ruin, George contemplates killing himself so Mary can cash
in on his insurance. It's at this point that an angel called
Clarence (the marvellous Henry Travers) intervenes.
Capra
does a masterful job of laying out how life in Bedford Falls
could have turned out if George Bailey had never lived - a
thought-provoking message for anyone looking for meaning in
their life.
Amusing,
sad, moving and ultimately life-affirming, It's A Wonderful
Life features a great cast, fine script and terrific sets.
The amazing winter scenes look totally realistic, despite
being filmed during a California heatwave.
This
magical movie, shot in vintage black and white, has been given
a great digital restoration by Paramount. The newly colorized
version is also included here and it is fantastic! The colours
are natural and it looks picture perfect. The set also includes
a "making-of" documentary plus an interview with
Frank Capra Jnr.
