For many people Frank Capra‘s It’s A Wonderful Life is one of the top-notch Christmas DVDs, a holiday classic to come back to year after year. No wonder that I found three wonderful reviews to commemorate this timeless piece of art from 1946.

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.

It’s a Wonderful Life takes place in the fictional small town of Bedford Falls. The movie concerns the life of George Bailey, an extremely kind, good, hard-working man who always puts the welfare of his friends ahead of his own, despite his strong drive and desire to make it big and travel around the world.
One Christmas Eve, tragedy strikes when George’s uncle Billy accidentally misplaces $8000 of his company’s money. The bank inspectors come and it looks certain that George will go to jail for misappropriation of funds.
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. He may have lacked the sex appeal of Clark Gable or the cowboy virility of John Wayne, but he fit perfectly in the mold of best friend and lovable 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.… George Bailey and his friends are likable 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 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 best Christmas DVDs.

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