This was a pretty good movie except for one thing. Mister Potter got away with stealing the $8000. He was a low life scumbag and he didn't even have to suffer the consequences of his actions. Bad guys shouldn't get off scott free for the evil things that they do.
On Saturday Night Live, they made a parody of It's a wonderful life. They pretended to have an alternate ending of this movie. In this alternate ending, George Bailey and several more people went after Potter and they beat the crap out of him. In this parody, Potter had to pay for being evil. I wish that they had made him pay in the real movie too. I give IAWL a 4 star rating.

Great Christmas Film, great story. One of jimmy Stewart's BEST. And Donna Reed WAS Hot.

Definitely my favorite movie. A movie that teaches gratefulness. We don't do that anymore. Is it really a Christmas movie? I guess not. Maybe in the same way that "Last Christmas I gave you my heart" is a Christmas song (hate it, by the way) I watch it several times a year, too. James Stewart was a great actor. As about the "second class angel" Clarence, how can you not like him!??

A Christmas classic no doubt. Tho its a little over played during the Holiday season for my taste.

A great family movie. Runs a bit long and it may be tough to get younger people to watch a black and white film now days. One of J. Stewart's best roles / performances.

A magical Christmas tradition.

A classic story of one man's redemption and a lesson to anyone who thinks that his or her life is without value. Jimmy Stewart gives an amazing portrayal as George Baily capturing nearly every human emotion during the course of the film. (Who the hell won the award for best actor that year?!!) He is at his best when he lets his expressions and mannerisms guide his performance. Lional Barrymore is also superb as the malevolent Mr. Potter. A film that should be witnessed by one and all. Thank you, Frank Capra for your vision and warmth.

The perfect Christmas movie. If you have really young kids, I don't think they'd enjoy it, because it is long and in depth, but I love it, and I'm 16.

A great film to watch every Christmas!

Best Christmas movie of all time, hands down. Jimmy Stewart was brilliant!

this movie stands the test of time with human emotion spanning many decades awesome

What's not to like about It's a Wonderful Life?

A good movie, but not really Great. A good standard-fare movie of the time. This is NOT a Christmas movie, despite all the hype around Christmas time. (BTW, it wasn't popular or even known until the mid-80s. That was just AFTER I myself was told about & shown the movie by my parents. Dang if w/in the year my SocialStudies teacher used it, then it started being peddled publicly as a great Xmas movie. Before then, Miracle on 34th St was the universally acknowledged non-Scrooge Christmas champion.) It has a great message and such, but again, is pretty standard regular movie. It is also mostly a biography. It is not a Christmas movie; it just happens the hero goes to his wit's end at Christmas Eve and is saved then. Clarence the angel doesn't even mention Christmas. Most of the movie doesn't have a Christmas feel, exactly because it's a biography which covers any and all aspects of life; it's not even all set in Winter. So I downgrade it maybe partly for the myth that it is a Christmas thing. Good movie, but you can watch it any time.

This is not the best film ever created but gets 5 stars for many other reasons..This movie is a tradition that has always left me with a comforting sense with its' small town goodness. I always sensed those were better times when vitues and family mattered...teaches some very good moral lessons too.

Wonderful acting, great story and a great moral message.Jimmy Stewart is unforgetable!One of my top 10 of all time!

Purely overrated. Some good elements, but the ending is so pathetic. As if everyone in the town would pitch in money for a disliked unpopular person.

Directed by Frank Capra, It's A Wonderful Life (1946) is one of the few, if not the sole dark films that is considered a Christmas movie. For the uninitiated, the story revolves around George Bailey (James Stewart) who finds himself considering suicide, notwithstanding his numerous selfless acts that has helped his family, friends and hometown. His savior is the angel Clarence (Henry Travers) who shows what his town would have been like if he had never been born. Through the process, George discovers that his seemingly inconsequential life was important after all. The core cast includes Donna Reed as George's supporting wife and Lionel Barrymore as the evil Mr. Potter who wants to control the town. Despite the film being recognized by the Academy, the movie was not a commercial success. In fact, It's A Wonderful Life did not become wildly known until the copyright was allowed to lapse, and the movie entered the public domain. After the lapse, the film was shown repeatedly during the holidays. The bottom line is that It's A Wonderful Life is an American classic that illustrates both the American dream and its challenges.

This is a true classic that I have pased on to my children. At 30, 33 and 36 they still watch this show as a tradition of their childhood. My oldest even discusses this in his Literature class he teaches to middleschool.

If there was a rating higher than 5, I would give it. People need to look past the mistaken idea that this is a Christmas movie and see that it is a movie that can be viewed all through the year...and with every viewing you get something new. It just grabs your heart. James Stewart, as far as I am concerned, was the greatest actor Hollywood has produced. He is sheer brilliance in this movie. To watch him fall apart is to see what happens to many people in dire straits. You live it with him. When he realizes just how blessed he is, you share that joy with him too. I think, of all the movies Mr. Stewart did, this is the one that he will be remembered for 100 years from now. And they will still be remarking on the brilliance of the film and the performances. While he is by far the best thing about the movie, that is not to say that the others were less than wonderful. The whole cast was astoundingly fabulous. As you can see, this IS my favorite movie. Mr. Stewart made this film just after he returned from service in WWII. With everything he lived through during the war, it is a mature Jimmy we see. As loved as George Bailey was, Jimmy is even more loved. I just wish the people of that time realized the quality of the film. I am glad they do now.

Maudlin crap. Capra's worst film.

True holiday classic. It does seem a little old fashioned compared to today's films, but that's also part of its charm.

This movie didn't hit me till well into my 30s. It really got to me this last Xmas. When George is ready to off himself, and when he sees life without him, that always brings a tear. Stewart did a hell of a job in this one. Even the love story rang true. I love his transformation from optimist to cynic to optimist again. It really speaks to all of us. Very American, but also a true cinema classic.

BEST HOLIDAY MOVIE EVER!! one of the few movies that gets me choked up at the end!!

Definitely an all-time classic. One of the best of the 40's, and Frank Capra's masterpiece.

Great lines:"Pox upon me for the oaf that I am","Hee-Haw, Hee-Haw" Great theme: An opportunity to examine the impact one's life makes on others. Great cast: Quintessential Jimmy Stewart (made me a life-long fan). Demure and tantalizing (naked in the bushes scene) Donna Reed. Great introspection: When young George has the loving maturity to understand Mr. Gower's grief over the loss of his son. Withstanding his verbal and physical barrage to prevent what could have been a fatally errant prescription. And Mr. Gower's belated awareness and subsequent thankfulness to George. Great scenes: The rush on the bank and Mary sacrificing their honeymoon nestegg to save it. Clarnece ordering that long past due drink at Martini's. And on and on and on. Great impact: Bert and Ernie...alive and well in the hearts of our children on Sesame Street... well of course you get it This is easily an all-time top 5 of my favorite movies that never ceases to choke me up and always makes me long a little for yesteryear.

It's a WONDERFUL movie!

Sappy and very dated. I love Jimmy Stewart, but in this I can barely watch him. Give me "Rear Window" or "Vertigo" any day.

THE COOLEST MOVIE EVER!!! For christmas anyways

A film that consistently brings tears to my eyes. Frank Capra's masterpiece of ethics, the American Dream, and George Bailey's search for fame and discovery that a man doesn't have to be wealthy to be the "richest man in town" is an American classic that has become such a part of our lives that Christmas without this film is like bacon without eggs. Includes the performance that defines Jimmy Stewart's unparalleled movie career, some of the most memorable scenes in history, and Lionel Barrymore as Mr. "that man has been a boil on my neck for 20 years" Potter. See it every year.

Anyone who isn't touched by this movie would have made a great Mr. Potter, without even acting.

When small-town denizen George Bailey (James Stewart) wishes out loud that he'd never been born, his guardian angel Clarence (Henry Travers) shows him how his idyllic home town of Bedford Falls would have been without him. This perennial Christman classic works so well because it plumbs the very depths of despair before pulling out all the emotional stops for the desperately happy ending ("I never knew I had so many friends" wails George). This is a beautiful and heartwarming tale that is an absolute must-see. Summary: A BRILLIANT AND BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS CLASSIC.

This is my all time favorite movie. It is about priorities and what really matters in life. It may seem to start off a little slow, but all of the things at the beginning are leading up to something worthwhile. It is the movie that made James Stewart my favorite actor and Frank Capra my favorite director. It is warm, funny and has a good moral. A true classic and the closest thing to a perfect movie there is.

Before watching this I had the same mis-conceptions as everyone else about films from this golden age and especially this festive flick. The film fortunately put such doubts to rest. Many will argue it is too sentimental, while partly true, such scenes are handled with the utmost care and NEVER feel corny. Being from this current generation of cynical drones, this film to me, was a revelation. Capra fills each scene with such aplomb that one cannot help but feel slightly moved. The film has the perfect cast especially the immortal Jimmy Stewart and the ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS Donna Reed (underrated, underrated). While labelled as a feel good christmas movie, such a label is disrespectful. The film encompasses a variety of values and emotions, from family, faith, hope, love, aspirations, despair to many others. Although it is a universal film and there are some lighthearted scenes, there are also long periods of darkness and depression (exploiting the talent of Stewart perfectly). If this is a happy, festive film, then it is the most depressing one I have ever seen. Every scene is excellently realised by a director at the pinacle of his craft and furnished with layers of detail and feeling. The film is also complemented by the best cast ever assembled (yep beating all others I think in my opinion). Every performance is refreshing and unlike 99% of all other golden age films (where acting is wooden and dated), the acting and dialogue is wonderfully accomplished and refreshing and has not dated in the least. Many polls do not consider this to be the greatest film ever after all it has to be something 'cool' something for the 'twenty something generation', something like the Godfather or Pulp Fiction. It effortless surpasses my previous favourites: Shawshank Redemption, Magnolia, Truman Show, Se7en and Memento. These films while excellent do not touch me personally in the same way as It's a Wonderful Life. They do not ignite that sense of joy and 'magic'. This is cinematic utopia, a film which breaks free from the boundaries of motion entertainment and into the realms of that little red beating muscle in your chest. And it feels nice.

A timeless classic

BORING!!!

I watched this movie at a time in my life when I was feeling very down. I moved to Michigan away from my family in New York and was feeling very lonely because I couldn't be with them a Christmas. I felt so good after watching it that I called my mom to discuss it.

this is not just a christmas story, it's message is universal: that persistence and FAITH can overcome despair. it is a thoroughly heartwarming movie, and go back to it again and again...

A magnificent picture!

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Our family watches this every year at Christmas.A tradition for us.I love the story of a man who has always given up his dreams to help others. He goes through a crisis and thinks about ending his life . and down comes Clarence the angel.He shows George what life would have been like for others if he had never been born.George finds how important he is to those around him and decides he wants to live. the very last scene where the town rallies around for George is still a tearjerker. I love feel good movies and this is a good one. James Stewart is perfect as George Bailey.the other actors are fine too.

In my opinion, this is about the tenth greatest movie eleven months out of the year. But during December, it is number one!

Corny, but well done christmas movie that can be considered a classic. The plot is kind of goofy, but well worth watching. ACting is over-the-top but, decently played out, and they don't waste their time singing carols like in other attempts to create a holiday feature.

"It's a Wonderful Life" Is a real classic, and it is a good lesson for anyone to learn who feels useless, and that his or her life has little or no meaning. People who feel discouraged with life can take a look at their life and think back at all the good that has come , and there most likely are people who could not have done without you. It is a good look at how one person's life can affect the lives of those around him in a positive way, and as far as Mr.Potter goes,in a negative way. So you can really appreciate a movie like this to help one find meaning in life.

One of the very best. I watch it almost every year and never seem to get tired of its hopeful message.

A true classic! One of the best x-mas stories ever. Very interesting and eye-opening. I think its about time they make a new one though, just to bring it into the present more.

I enjoy seeing this movie with my grandma. We always loved to watch it during the holidays. Now that she is gone, I remember the best whenever I put on that movie. It shows what a difference each life makes. I think that is a good thing to learn.

For the millions who remembered the crushing despair caused by the Great Depression, this movie reminded them of what let them make it through it. Whether it was friends, family or a kind employer, this movie had it all. This movie makes you think about all the good things that have ever happened to you, showing you that these are what should be focused on. Even now, more than half a century later, this movie still has a message to broadcast. Although many pass it off as a corny Christmas movie, if you watch it for what it is, a movie about never losing hope and the inherent goodness of humanity, you will see that this movie has a strong message in this era of cynicism.

This is a great classic movie with Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart. Jimmy Stewart is a classic in this movie.

It has a good moral to the story. It also shows that you can get what you want and nothing is too bad in life.

Any of the Capra movies are great. I am a fan of "Capra-Corn." I love the positive messages his movies give. They are as relevant today as during the dark days of the Great Depression.

Christmas classic. The feel-good movie of the millenium. I dare you not to cry!