It’s a Wonderful Life

1946, Frank Capra, USA

Content Note: Suicidal themes

“I’m like a parent whose kid grows up to be President. I’m proud… but it’s the kid who did the work.” – Frank Capra, on the belated success of It’s a Wonderful Life

Although he directed 36 features over the course of his career, including It Happened One Night and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Frank Capra’s favourite of his own films was It’s a Wonderful Life. This assessment was shared by the film’s star, James Stewart. Stewart plays the disillusioned George Bailey, whose life has been derailed by a series of broken promises and failed ambitions. On Christmas Eve, Bailey is at the end of his rope, and his plight comes to the attention of a low-ranked guardian angel, Clarence.

The sentimentality of It’s a Wonderful Life overwhelmed audiences at the time, and resulted in a mediocre reception, but the film gained prominence in the 1980s when, after falling into the public domain, it played every Christmas on television. Since its reappraisal, it’s become one of those rare films that is impossible to dislike – and possibly the only film to ever receive praise from both David Lynch and the Vatican! Screenings in the Antipodes are far less common, but it seemed like the perfect opportunity to both celebrate another successful year at the Film Society and lead into a stunning 80th birthday celebration in 2026.