It's a Wonderful Life

(1946)

★ 8.6 IMDb · 5,048 votes

Genres: Drama, Family, Fantasy

Year: 1946

Runtime: 130 min

Country: United States of America

Director: Фрэнк Капра

Cast: Джеймс Стюарт, Donna Reed, Лайонел Бэрримор, Томас Митчелл, Henry Travers

Plot

George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.

George Bailey has spent his entire life giving of himself to the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity in order to prevent rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town. All that prevents him from doing so is George's modest building and loan company, which was founded by his generous father. But on Christmas Eve, his Uncle Billy loses the business' $8,000 while intending to deposit it in the bank. Mr. Potter finds and hides it from him. When the bank examiner discovers the shortage later that night, George realizes that he will be held responsible and sent to jail and the company will collapse, finally allowing Mr. Potter to take over the town. Thinking of his wife, Mary, their four children, and others he loves will be better off with him dead, he contemplates suicide. But the prayers of his loved ones result in his guardian angel, Clarence Odbody, coming to Earth to help him, with the promise of earning his wings. He shows him what things would have been like if he had never been born.