Movie · 1946
It’s a Wonderful Life
George Bailey learns what his ordinary goodness has been worth.
- PG
- 2h 10m
Frank Capra’s Christmas perennial is really a film about vocation: a man who wanted the world and was given a town. Clarence the angel is comic, the bank run is frightening, and the last ten minutes still undo people. PureRated keeps it on the Sunday rail all year, not only in December.
Cast James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers
Directed by Frank Capra
National Film Registry
Content notes
- Integrity
- 5/5
- Sex
- 0/5
- Language
- 1/5
- Violence
- 2/5
- Substances
- 2/5
From the desk
Reviews
4 notes
The American film about being needed. A little dark in the middle — that is the point.
It’s a Wonderful Life holds a 8.6 / 10 from 510,000 IMDb ratings — families keep coming back to the craft, not just the message.
It’s a Wonderful Life is 94% on the Tomatometer — certified-fresh territory. Critics praise the sincerity and the lack of cynicism.
Common Sense suggests age 10+ for It’s a Wonderful Life. Parents say the conversations after the credits are the real value.