It's A Wonderful Life

Year of Release: January 7 1946

Director(s): Frank Capra

Writer(s): Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett

Cinematographer(s): Joseph Walker

Producer(s): Frank Carpa

Distributor(s): RKO Radio Pictures

Actor(s)/Actress(es): James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Henry Travers

Why I chose this film: To me this is the classic traditional Christmas movie. The film begins on Christmas Eve with a very depressed man, George Bailey (James Stewart). Near suicidal, he begins to pray. Suddenly an angel, Clarence (Henry Travers), hears his prayers, and comes down to Earth in hopes of saving him. His duty is to help George realize all the good he has brought to his community. Clarence takes him back through time in flashbacks. George see's the troubles such as rescuing his brother from the ice pond leading him to going deaf in one ear, as well as the good times like meeting his wife Mary (Donna Reed). George needs to obey to Clarence if he wants to be with his family again. It's A Wonderful Life was nominated for five Oscars. It has been since recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 best American films ever made, and placed number one on their list of inspirational films of all time. That is why I chose it, because it reveals so much inspiration to anyone who watches it. It teaches one to reflect on life when times are bad, and realize all the good times. Everyone around the world can easily connect to it because it portrays the same moral.