It's a Wonderful Life

A closer look at the story

George Bailey has lived in the small town of Bedford Falls since the day he was born and has devoted his entire life to its people. Through the humble building and loan company he took over from his father, he has helped most of the townsfolk become homeowners, constantly putting off his own dreams of becoming an architect and travelling the world in the process. The only obstacle standing between the wealthy, miserly banker Henry F. Potter and control of the whole town is George's little company. But one Christmas Eve, a mistake by the absent-minded Uncle Billy causes a large sum of the company's money to go missing. Facing bankruptcy and the threat of arrest, George is about to live through his darkest night. Directed by Frank Capra, the 131-minute 1946 film stars James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore and Thomas Mitchell in a moving Christmas drama.