| Overall: | A |
|---|---|
| Violence: | B+ |
| Sexual Content: | A- |
| Language: | A |
| Drugs/Alcohol: | B |
| Run Time: | 130 |
| Theater Release: | |
| Video Release: | 01 Nov 2011 |
| MPAA Rating: | |
| See Canadian Ratings | |
| How We Determine Our Grades | |
For other great holiday movies to share with your family, check out our Christmas Cinema suggestions.
Home Video Extra Features
Home Video Notes: It’s a Wonderful Life: Collector’s Edition Gift Set (Blu-ray)
Release Date: 1 November 2011
It’s a Wonderful Life releases in a gift set on November 1, 2011. This Collector’s Edition includes:
- It’s a Wonderful Life: Restored Black and White Version in high definition (Blu-ray)
- It’s a Wonderful Life: Colorized Version in high definition (Blu-ray)
- Shadow box packaging
- Featurette: The Making Of It’s A Wonderful Life (hosted by Tom Bosley)
- Theatrical trailer
- Collector’s bell ornament
- Commemorative booklet.
DVD Notes: It’s A Wonderful Life
DVD Release Date: 13 November 2007
If you’ve enjoyed watching this movie for years on television, than you owe it to yourself to have a look at its DVD rebirth. While the studio claims the print comes from the original negatives, it appears to me that the film was transferred from a positive print—but it is a very good transfer and looks far better than any previous release of the movie.
Technical nitpicking aside, the DVD also offers the original theatrical trailer as well as a short “making of” movie featuring Tom Bosley. Both of these were on the 50th Anniversary release VHS that was available a few years ago. However a third short feature produced in 1991 and hosted by Frank Capra Jr. is also available, and includes short interviews with Frank Capra and James Stewart shortly before both of their deaths.
You will also find Spanish and French dubbed versions as well as subtitles in these languages along with English. The DVD is double sided, so you do have to flip it over and handle it carefully, however we hate to complain… it’s great to finally have this historic film available on DVD.
Join the Conversation
About the Reviewer: Rod Gustafson
Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. He currently serves as the President of the Alberta Association for Media Awareness, a provincial non-profit society. He also authors a regular column for The Parent's Television Council in Los Angeles. He and his wife Donna have four children.
