About this Event
Mild-mannered dreamer George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) has spent his entire life in service to others in the small town of Bedford Falls. But on Christmas eve, pushed to the brink, he contemplates ending it all… until a guardian angel named Clarence appears to show him what his life would have been like if he never existed, and how far his influence has reached. Frank Capra’s first postwar film, It’s a Wonderful Life blends fable and social realism into one of American cinema’s most enduring portraits of compassion, community, and the unsung local hero.
Adapted, and greatly expanded, from Philip Van Doren Stern’s short story The Greatest Gift, Capra’s film was only a modest success on release and nearly sunk Capra’s production company. But decades of Christmastime television broadcasts gave it new life, eventually cementing its status as a beloved holiday classic. Despite this cosy reputation, Capra’s film doesn’t shy away from the darkness facing postwar American family life, grappling with depression, disillusionment and the crushing weight of financial failure. Stewart, fresh from military service, delivers one of his most vulnerable and affecting performances, backed by a pitch-perfect ensemble. Nearly 80 years on, It’s a Wonderful Life still packs a resonant emotional punch. If you don’t feel at least a twinge of happy tears by the end, it might be time to check your pulse.
Doors/Bar 1.00pm Film 2.00pm
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Backlot Perth, 21 Simpson Street, West Perth, Australia
AUD 15.00