Synopsis

On Christmas Eve, George Bailey reaches a breaking point after years of sacrificing his dreams for family and community. Before he can end his life, an angel named Clarence shows George how Bedford Falls might have changed had he never been born. Through this alternate vision, George discovers the lasting value of his relationships and the profound difference one ordinary life can make.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film was adapted from Philip Van Doren Stern's short story "The Greatest Gift," which Stern originally wrote in 1939 and later sent as a Christmas card in 1943.

• It was the first production from Liberty Films, the independent company established by Frank Capra, William Wyler, George Stevens, and Samuel J. Briskin.

• Production took place from April 15 through July 27, 1946. The Bedford Falls exteriors were built at RKO's ranch in Encino, California.

• The elaborate snowstorm required approximately 300 tons of limestone and 50 tons of white plaster. The production also used a new combination of foamite, sugar, and water to create quieter artificial snow.

• James Stewart returned to filmmaking with this project after serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

• The movie received five Academy Award nominations but did not win. Its reputation grew substantially through later television broadcasts and became firmly established as a Christmas tradition.

• In 1990, the Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic importance.

• The American Film Institute placed it at number one on its list of the most inspiring American films, AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers.