It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)

Amazon.com essential video

Now perhaps the most beloved American film, It's a Wonderful Life was largely forgotten for years, due to a copyright quirk. Only in the late 1970s did it find its audience through repeated TV showings. Frank Capra's masterwork deserves its status as a feel-good communal event, but it is also one of the most fascinating films in the American cinema, a multilayered work of Dickensian density. George Bailey (played superbly by James Stewart) grows up in the small town of Bedford Falls, dreaming dreams of adventure and travel, but circumstances conspire to keep him enslaved to his home turf. Frustrated by his life, and haunted by an impending scandal, George prepares to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. A heavenly messenger (Henry Travers) arrives to show him a vision: what the world would have been like if George had never been born. The sequence is a vivid depiction of the American Dream gone bad, and probably the wildest thing Capra ever shot (the director's optimistic vision may have darkened during his experiences making military films in World War II). Capra's triumph is to acknowledge the difficulties and disappointments of life, while affirming--in the teary-eyed final reel--his cherished values of friendship and individual achievement. It's a Wonderful Life was not a big hit on its initial release, and it won no Oscars (Capra and Stewart were nominated); but it continues to weave a special magic. --Robert Horton

Description

George Bailey has so many problems he is thinking about ending it all - and it's Christmas! As the angels discuss George, we see his life in flashback. As George is about to jump from a bridge, he ends up rescuing his guardian angel, Clarence. Clarence then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn't been for all of his good deeds over the years. Will Clarence be able to convince George to return to his family and forget suicide?

Customer Reviews:

It is really wonderful........2007-09-06

I have tried to buy this DVD twice before from non-Amazon Internet vendors and failed. Finally I bought it from Amazon. It is really wonderful to watch "It's a wonderful life". I especially enjoyed the special features of the DVD with Capra Sr. and Jr. and Jimmy Stewart recapturing the making and the history of this movie. Can you imagine it wasn't a hit when it was first released? It is a very interesting story, almost as good as the movie itself.

Nothing less than 5 stars!.......2007-08-27

It's a classic movie with a thought provoking message that we all can make a positive impact on the people's lives around us.

Things to consider.......2007-08-26

This is a classic, not just for Christmas. Everyone should reflect on their lives as Jimmy Stewart's character does.

Merry Christmas.......2007-08-12

If you want a great Christmas movie, this is one of the best X-mas movies I have ever seen. The old Miracle on 34th Street and this movie (It's a Wonderful Life) are the two best Christmas movies ever made. I remember watching it as a kind (I'm 28) and loving it even then, watching it over and over again!

It's a Wonderful Life.......2007-07-30

A brilliant movie with excellent values. Very moving and encouraging. Makes a wonderful gift for Christmas or any other time. Continuously voted one of the best movies of all time. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

It is really wonderful.
Nothing less than 5 stars!
Things to consider
Merry Christmas
It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life
Starring: James Stewart , Donna Reed , Lionel Barrymore , Thomas Mitchell , and Henry Travers
Director: Frank Capra
Manufacturer: Republic Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00062J00S
Release Date: 1995-09-19

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

It is really wonderful........2007-09-06

Nothing less than 5 stars!.......2007-08-27

It's a classic movie with a thought provoking message that we all can make a positive impact on the people's lives around us.

Things to consider.......2007-08-26

This is a classic, not just for Christmas. Everyone should reflect on their lives as Jimmy Stewart's character does.

Merry Christmas.......2007-08-12

It's a Wonderful Life.......2007-07-30

Average customer rating:

It is really wonderful.
Nothing less than 5 stars!
Things to consider
Merry Christmas
It's a Wonderful Life

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ASIN: B00005QCVY
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Product Description

Excellent condition, includes the original DVD, case, and paperwork, fast shipped, ask me for my DVD List! :)

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

It is really wonderful........2007-09-06

Nothing less than 5 stars!.......2007-08-27

It's a classic movie with a thought provoking message that we all can make a positive impact on the people's lives around us.

Things to consider.......2007-08-26

This is a classic, not just for Christmas. Everyone should reflect on their lives as Jimmy Stewart's character does.

Merry Christmas.......2007-08-12

It's a Wonderful Life.......2007-07-30

It's A Wonderful Life (2-Disc Collector's Set)

Average customer rating:

Looks promising Wonderful Life.

It's A Wonderful Life (2-Disc Collector's Set)
Starring: James Stewart , Donna Reed , Lionel Barrymore , Thomas Mitchell , and Henry Travers
Director: Frank Capra
Manufacturer: Paramount Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000VDDDVO
Release Date: 2007-11-13

Customer Reviews:

Looks promising Wonderful Life........2007-09-08

This is a wonderful story about a man who has big plans but settles for the simple quiet life as he marries and has a couple of kids. but when a big problem arises in his life and he feels there is no way out. He thinks the unthinkable to end it all, only to be saved by an angel and his friends and family. he then realizes he has a wonderful life and true happiness is with family, i just love this film. It's got a good story, the kind of story you don't find nowadays. long live Jimmy Stewart he's the man. i'm sure this will a be great edition of the film. it looks as if it contains both B&W, Color Versions of the film that are in the set to be released, i've already preordered a copy for myself and hope this is the last reissue. because there have been tons of other copies made by various companies, i say if it's not broke don't fix it that's my opinion anyway. Paramount had already released the 60th edition last year so let's hope this is a perfect edition of this classic film, that keeps on selling for years to come . I always get a tear in my eye at the end i must confess it's a tender part.

All in All Like The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade this film is one that warms my heart and soul around christmas time in the arms of love ones and friends. This Film is an American Institution to me, It's a classic, pure and simple everbody should own a copy.

Highly Recommended Film.

P.S. But if none of you can wait that long until Nov 13th. You can go and purchase one of the other versions of this film just make sure it's a Republic Or Paramount Edition either one's good.

Classic Christmas Collection (It's a Wonderful Life / White Christmas)

Average customer rating:

It's a Wonderful Life is not color
Wonderful sincere schmaltz
Movies ok, but....
Two Feel Good Holiday Classics To Be Watched ANYTIME You Need A Lift
It's a Wonderful Life

Classic Christmas Collection (It's a Wonderful Life / White Christmas)
Starring: James Stewart , Donna Reed , Lionel Barrymore , Thomas Mitchell , and Henry Travers
Director: Frank Capra , and Michael Curtiz
Manufacturer: Paramount
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Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000HWZ4KM
Release Date: 2006-10-31

Description

This 2pk includes 2 of Christmas's all-time classics - It's A Wonderful Life 60th Anniversary Edition and White Christmas

Customer Reviews:

It's a Wonderful Life is not color.......2007-06-05

Just so no one else buys this and thinks they are getting a color version of this movie. It's in Black and white. In the descripion on Amazon it says it is in color. The color version is only on VHS.

Wonderful sincere schmaltz.......2007-05-07

Yes, from all I've seen it was a pretty wonderful life, for most Americans, from 1945 to 55 when we ruled the world. Both of these movies capture some of that unquestioning nationalistic sentimentality and disingenuouness that would finally evaporate completely in the jungles of Viet Nam. For now though we had a ton of food and tent space and it was worth a try since nothing we did ended badly, yet.

Jimmy Stewart is perfectly cast as the George Bailey,kindhearted but bitterly disappointed by life so far. With techniques that borrow heavily from AA and Charles Dickens he is finally convinced that his life has been is a force for good. The sentiments are soggy but the movie has an almost noirish realism especially in the nightmare of what his quaint small-town turns into without him.
This movie ends with a rousing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "White Xmas' ends with a rousing, (What else?")"White Xmas" as the long-awaited snow falls behind them. There is no pretense of realism in this movie, and much of the enjoyment here is just the tremendous camp fun especially with Dany Kaye devouring the set in every other shot.

Movies ok, but...........2007-03-24

The movies were great and what I wanted, with one exception... In the description it states that they are in color, where in fact "White Christmas" is in color but "It's A Wonderful Life" is not. That is the only gripe that I have about this duo-set. I have been trying for several months to get a copy of the colorized version of "It's A Wonderful Life". I saw this advertized as color and ordered it. I received it and watched the movie, only to find out that it is not in color, but in fact black & white. I am very disappointed of this fact.

Two Feel Good Holiday Classics To Be Watched ANYTIME You Need A Lift.......2007-02-10

You do NOT have to wait until Christmas to open this gift. Frank Capra's wonderful film of 1946, may be enjoyed anytime of the year. "It's A Wonderful Life" is THE feel good movie of the all time.It should be watched anytime you need a lift!(Okay, Okay , you can watch it at Christmas time too!).

ASC(Angel Second Class), Clarence Oddbody needs to get his wings.George Bailey is desperately in need of an Angel. So the powers up above arrange a meeting. It's a story made in heaven.

Clarence gets to view George Bailey's life from the time he was a young boy until the present, when George is having so many problems he thinks he would be better off if he'd never been born (it may be safe to say we have all had days like that!). We watch as George touches the lives of so many from boyhood to adulthood. He saves his brother's life,he stops his boss(a druggist) from making a fatal mistake, he saves the family business, "The Building and Loan Assoc" from the hands of the Scroogelike Mr. Potter, is friend and mentor to so many, and although never gets to follow his dreams of travel, settles down with the girl next door in his town, "Bedford Falls".

But things start going amiss for poor George,an accidental misplacement of a large sum of money, and the auditor showing up just at the wrong time, causes George to face loosing everything he THINKS is important. He's on the bridge, ready to pack it all in when his guardian angel Clarence shows up in the nick of time.Clarence shows George what life would REALLY be like if he was never born. It's not good! George must realize that "It's A Wonderful Life" before he can exist again.

Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey. He is just tremendous in this role. We see the full range of his talents as he runs the course of going from carefree, to distraught, to bitter and finally elated with life as he discovers Zuzu's petals have reappeared in his pocket.The petals that disappeared from his pocket when he disappeared from existence. Henry Travers is Clarence and there has never been a more cherubic angel than he. Donna Reed as Mary(George's wife) is exceptional at making a wonderful life for George and looking great doing it. And Lionel Barrymore is the mean Mr. Potter who we love to hate. There are so many other famous faces to look for that do such a superb job, here are a few...the great character actor Thomas Mitchell is the forgetful "Uncle Billy", Lillian Randolph is "Annie", the housekeeper, Beulah Bondi as Mrs. Bailey, Ellen Corby, the lady who only wants $17.50, Gloria Grahame is Violet and don't miss Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, mischievous as ever at the pool scene.

So it's clear as a bell(oh..I think an Angel just got his wings!)if you're feeling a little down, watch this movie and like Zuzu's petals, your smile will reappear.

"White Christmas"...The film is a treasure. Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye,Rosemary Clooney,and Vera-Ellen are the stars of this 1954 musical with songs by Irving Berlin that you'll want to sing along with and keep humming long after the film has ended. Directed by Michael Curtiz it's a feel good film that although takes place during the Christmas season, is another one that you can pull out and watch anytime of the year.

Bing and Danny were Army buddies, now a successful song and dance team and are out to help their favorite old retired General(Dean Jagger),who is having trouble coping with retirement. The General is now running a country inn in Vermont, but the big problem is there is no snow to bring up the tourists. Bing and Danny to the rescue, as they turn the inn into a showcase of talent, and fall for the Haines sisters along the way. Can these wonderful voices also bring the snow out of the sky?...well..you know.

This film is filled with Berlin's wonderful tunes. When Bing takes Rosemary's little hand in his and croons "Count Your Blessings" to her..well it's movie heaven. Rosemary also treats us to several numbers, Vera-Ellen does some fabulous hoofing, and Danny clowns and keeps us smiling like only Danny can. And how much fun is it watching Bing and Danny do the "Sisters" number together?...alot! Then there's the goose bump evoking, wonderfully nostalgic scene of the four of them singing "White Christmas" together with the Winter Wonderland of Vermont as a backdrop.I would be remiss if I didn't mention the wonderful character actress Mary Wicks, she's a great busy-body who causes misunderstandings, and also keep an eye out for George Chakiris and Barrie Chase.

Thanks Paramount for bringing us this great old classic holiday films on in one package.

Happy Year-long Viewing, ...Laurie

It's a Wonderful Life.......2007-02-03

A Christmas classic. All these years later, life can still be the same as in this movie. Lot's of us are always striving, longing for a "better" more exciting life and many times if we stepped back and looked at ours it couldn't get any better, we just need to appreciate what we have and make the best of our life.

Average customer rating:

It is really wonderful.
Nothing less than 5 stars!
Things to consider
Merry Christmas
It's a Wonderful Life

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ASIN: 6305064490
Release Date: 2001-09-18

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

It is really wonderful........2007-09-06

Nothing less than 5 stars!.......2007-08-27

It's a classic movie with a thought provoking message that we all can make a positive impact on the people's lives around us.

Things to consider.......2007-08-26

This is a classic, not just for Christmas. Everyone should reflect on their lives as Jimmy Stewart's character does.

Merry Christmas.......2007-08-12

It's a Wonderful Life.......2007-07-30

Average customer rating:

Kafka - the way you've never seen him before!
a note on absurdity
in defense

Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life
Starring: Elaine Collins , Julie Cox , Jessie Doyle , Richard E. Grant , and Samantha Howarth
Manufacturer: Vanguard Cinema
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005ASP8
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Description

Stumbling over how to complete the first sentence of what was to be his masterpiece "Metamorphosis," Kafka writes: ...Gregor Samsa woke up one morning and found he had been transformed into a giant..." A giant what? A banana perhaps? A powerful sustained joke on both the perceived image of Franz Kafka and the powerful sentiment of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life." Also includes "Seven Gates" - Brothers David and Daryl travel home to their family farm for Christmas; "The Deal" - A clandestine meeting between the world's two most powerful businessmen who negotiate a deal so immense, so awe-inspiring, so "BIG." The meeting progresses from the enlightening to the bizarre; "Mr. McAllister's Cigarette Holder" - In 1961 Georgia, Mr. McAllister lives alone. His reality leaves little room for pride, except for a unique cigarette holder he has. On a trip to town with his albino girlfriend, a sacrificial gift saves his pride and allows him to retain his dignity.

Customer Reviews:

Kafka - the way you've never seen him before!.......2003-09-15

As most people will surmise, the very title of this DVD is a sardonic inside-joke. The term "wonderful life" goes along with Kafka about as well as tropical vacations in Antartica. When I first saw the title I knew I would not be able to resist buying this DVD - even if only out of curiousity.

The DVD is four short-stories set to film; only the 1st one relates to Kafka. In the title story there is an attempt to comically discern the nature of Kafka's inspiration for his famous short story, THE METAMORPHOSIS. It's kind of like what they did with Shakespeare in SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, only this time it's in a twisted Kafkaesque sort of way.

Of the rest of the production, stories 2 and 4 are so-so. Story 3, however, called THE DEAL, is absolutely hilarious. It pokes fun at 2 pompous CEOs who get together and make asinine decisions while untold thousands of jobs hang in the balance. Anyone who has followed the scandals of ENRON, WORLDCOM, etc. will find this a refreshing satire.

I would recommend this DVD for all fans of Franz Kafka as well as people who like "different" sorts of short-stories. Be forewarned, however, it's not altogether done in good taste. If that does not bother you, then by all means put this one on your wish-list!

a note on absurdity.......2003-07-30

Kafka is well known for the achievement of absurdity in his work. It must be remembered, however, that Kafka's absurdity was not absurdity for its own sake, and though often comical, was nightmarish and profound. The absurdity seen here, though clever and very funny, isn't what Kafka was about. That doesn't at all discredit this short film, but it is important to make a distinction.

in defense.......2002-02-20

I have to speak in defense of "Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life." Yes, the idea of mixing Kafka and Capre is entirely absurd, but isn't that what makes it so incredibly Kafka? Kafka always used absurdity to depict the modern world, and I think he would have appreciated the short immensely for that (though the end was a bit shakey, but I guess that's what we have to give to Capre.) I loved this short, as well as the others on the DVD.

Average customer rating:

Great Documentary
Haunting and tragic
It Was a Wonderful Life
Unsettling, if you're a twentysomething suburbanite
Unsettling, if you're a middle-aged woman without security

It Was a Wonderful Life
Starring: Alice (XII) , Marjorie Bard , Dennis Cohen , Wayne Doss , and Jodie Foster
Manufacturer: New Video Group
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00016XNI4
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Amazon.com

The 1992 documentary It Was a Wonderful Life won several awards for its depiction of homeless women--the "hidden homeless" who don't sit on the streets and beg for change, but who live in motels and cars, often with children, while they desperately try to set their lives right. Several of the movie's subjects were left helpless from a bad divorce; one woman, a former singer, was abandoned by her affluent husband while pregnant with his sixth child. He now avoids paying child support, trusting in an over-loaded bureaucracy with limited power to enforce the law. It Was a Wonderful Life isn't the most artfully made documentary, but after listening to the revealing stories of these women--all struggling but determined to survive--you'll find yourself sizing up your own life, wondering if a brief illness or a lost job could steal your own life away. Narrated by Jodie Foster with music by Melissa Etheridge. --Bret Fetzer

Description

In this award-winning festival standout, Academy Award nominee Michèle Ohayon (Colors Straight Up) presents a riveting and powerful account of six women who are members of America's growing "hidden homeless" population. Narrated by Jodie Foster, and with

Customer Reviews:

Great Documentary.......2007-05-10

Although this documentary was done fifteen years ago, I rented it because of the title. I find it interesting to know how women do end up homeless. I remember Sixty Minutes doing a segment on homeless women when I was in high school. I have to say that these women are more resourceful than a woman who has a job and a home.
It's a shame that our legal system can barely do anything to help these women to get back on their feet. Yet, they can respond quickly to high-profile cases that are sometimes too outrageous or frivilous. These were women who had good, if not great lives. They were married with children. Some of them were working to make ends meets and not having to worry about tomorrow. Then something happened.
Marital discord, medical injury, loss of employment turned their world upside down. I felt sorry for these women because they were struggling to stay afloat when things took a turn for the worse. Some of them wouldn't turn to their families or friends for assistance; and one didn't have anyone to turn to for assistance.
The thought of what these women are going through is a reflection of what can happen to me and several other women. As much as I whined and complained about not having a place of my own and having to struggle financially, there is always a ray of sunshine.
The only thing we as women need to do is to acknowledge our presence and look out for our well-being. And help each other.
I wonder if there was ever any thought to follow-up on this documentary. One committed suicide and the other was never heard from again. It would be interesting to know what they have been doing since this documentary was made.

Haunting and tragic.......2006-07-05

I'll always remember that in the early 1990's, at the time this documentary was first released, "The Oprah Winfrey Show" did an entire episode about it. On the Oprah show, they showed many lengthy clips from the movie, and then, near the end of the show, Oprah revealed the dark fate that ended the life of one of the six ladies that were featured in the film. The audience GASPED at the awful news, and for days I was haunted by it.

Immediately after the Oprah episode ended, all those years ago, I tried to look for the movie on video, but it was never released on the VHS format.

All of these years later, when I learned that they were putting this movie onto DVD, I bought it right away. After watching it, for days I was once again haunted by this sad story.

The documentary as a whole isn't the best documentary ever made, but after the movie is over and you read the tragic follow-up, then you will see what makes this movie so sad and important.

I only wish they'd included the Oprah episode on the dvd as a special feature.

It Was a Wonderful Life.......2005-04-12

I like Jodie Foster and I happened to find this movie. It turned out to be so good. This movie is a documentary about hidden homeless women. Those could be any one of us. I want to have the strength of holding myself tight enough that it won't affect by any changes around me.

Unsettling, if you're a twentysomething suburbanite.......2004-04-10

This is the type of film that haunts me, that reminds me to figure out what the heck I'm doing with my life to promote fair policies and foster cooperation in my community. Unlike more recent and flashier "social issue" documentaries, this film, and the stories of these working homeless women, play gently and firmly on your conscience. I remember these characters -- I'll remember them for a long time. Foster's narration is note-perfect.

I'm thankful for films like these. The trick, then, is for me, for us, to turn it into to some form of support.

Unsettling, if you're a middle-aged woman without security.......2002-12-23

I'm in my late 40s, and this film portrayed the situation that I fear most - losing my job and not being able to find another one, then losing my apartment, and then being at the mercy of the elements. I have very little family to fall back on, and I could only count on them for very short-term assistance. I suffer from mental illness that can only be controlled with medication, so losing access to medical insurance would plunge me back into depression and emotional instability.

I found the six women who were portrayed in this film to be a lot more resourceful and optimistic than I feel my potential to be.

The film was shot in the early 1990s, so watching it a decade later is a bit strange, since I wonder how much LA has changed in the interim. I suspect that the huge amount of illegal immigration into that area makes it even more difficult to find cheap housing than was the case 10 years ago.

In the late 80s and early 90s there was also a lot more sympathy for homeless people than there appears to be now, and there are probably less municipal/state/federal resources available now than there were back then. Now that the states are all running large deficits in their budgets, and the cost of housing has skyrocketed, it's probably a dreary prospect to be tossed out of the "safe" world.

Jodie Foster's narration was a bit underwhelming, but then that may have been appropriate, since the focus should remain on the subjects of the documentary.

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Customer Reviews:

It is really wonderful........2007-09-06

Nothing less than 5 stars!.......2007-08-27

It's a classic movie with a thought provoking message that we all can make a positive impact on the people's lives around us.

Things to consider.......2007-08-26

This is a classic, not just for Christmas. Everyone should reflect on their lives as Jimmy Stewart's character does.

Merry Christmas.......2007-08-12

It's a Wonderful Life.......2007-07-30

Average customer rating:

Meet John Doe

Manufacturer: Digiview
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)

ASIN: B0009JIHD4

Product Description

A reporter concocts a story of a fiction character and makes him the subject of a column telling of his intensions to commit suicide over the sorry state of mankind.

DVD:

DVD

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