It's A Wonderful Life (1946) - #40

Empire top 301: #40
IMDb top 250: #27

Rating 10/10

Director: Frank Capra
Writers: Frank Capra, Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich, Jo Swerling & Philip Van Doren Stern
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers & Thomas Mitchell

"Every time you hear a bell ring, it means that some angel's just got his wings."

In Bedford Falls one Christmas Eve George Bailey (Stewart) has hit rock bottom and contemplating suicide. His family and friends who he has helped all his life, leaving his own dreams behind to do so, pray for him to be ok and for God to look after him. These prayers reach Heaven and George's guardian angel Clarence (Travers) is sent to Earth to save George and in the process earn his wings. Before Clarence is able to help George he must first know his life and head angels Franklin and Joseph show Clarence how George has become the man he has. 

It's a Wonderful Life is the ultimate Christmas movie. It'll make you laugh and cry and just make you feel really happy. It's a story we can all relate to when we're feeling down and don't think our life is what it should be and by the end you start to think how lucky you are, to have what you have! It's a beautifully written movie with great characters you'll love and hate. 

James Stewart gives a superb performance as George, it's probably my favourite performance of his closely followed by Rear Window. The character of George is seen as unlikeable by some people but I don't think that, at times he can be a bit brattish but ultimately Stewart's performance keeps him as our hero and has you rooting for him. Donna Reed is absolutely stunning and I love her in this movie. Lionel Barrymore is excellent as the evil Mr Potter, who'll stop at nothing to destroy George Bailey and even though it's a lovely Christmas movie it's great that he stays completely wicked throughout. 

I watched the black and white Blu Ray version of the movie and it looks gorgeous, it's so well filmed and the transfer is great. If you can, definitely watch it on this format. It's a Wonderful Life is just a wonderful movie and one I try to watch every Christmas. Highly recommend.