One of the best loved films of all time, Frank Capra's eternal masterpiece It's a Wonderful Life gives us a peek into the life of George Bailey, a man who has spent his entire life helping others in his small town, often at his own expense, only to begin to feel like it was all for nothing. As Christmas draws near, his despair only seems to grow as the miserly millionaire Mr Potter, Bailey's former employer, beats him down at every turn. On the verge of suicide, George's guardian angel is sent down to show him what ife would have been like for all around him had he not been born.
Based on the short story The Greatest Gift by Phillip Van Doren Stern, It's A Wonderful Life was considered a major flop upon it's initial release, despite being nominated for five Oscars. It has since been recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 Best American Films Ever Made, and placed Number 1 on their list of Most Inspirational Films of All Time.
