Rating summary
| Movie |  | 5.0 |
| Video |  | 4.5 |
| Audio |  | 3.5 |
| Extras |  | 2.0 |
| Overall | | 3.5 |
It's a Wonderful Life Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 8, 2021
Paramount has re-released the classic 1946 Frank Capra film 'It's a Wonderful Life' to Blu-ray. This particular edition, hailing from 2016, appears to
be identical to the original 2009 issue: it includes both the black-and-white and colorized versions of
the film in addition to two extras: a trailer and a making-of. Also of note are these releases through the years: a remastered Blu-ray and a concurrently released UHD (along with a SteelBook packaging variant) from 2019. Paramount is also set to once again release the film to Blu-ray in celebration of its 75th anniversary,
bundled with film-themed recipe cards.
Family man George Bailey (James Stewart) is on the verge of suicide. Hearing a chorus of prayers lifted
up to
the Heavens in his name, the wingless Angel Clarence (Henry Travers) is sent to save George
and, if he succeeds, earn his wings. Before Clarence can embark on his mission, he must learn of
the events in George's past that led him to the bridge high above the icy waters of Bedford Falls
on that fateful Christmas Eve. George is depicted as an upstanding citizen; he once saved his
brother's life from the clutches of an icy grave; he saved the life of a
citizen from a wrongly mixed prescription on account of a distraught pharmacist mourning the
loss of his son; and he reluctantly takes over his father's loan business, granting many of Bedford
Falls'
citizens the chance to own a home, particularly when George begins construction of affordable
housing. Always on his case is rival businessman Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) who tempts
George with a cushy high-dollar job if he only goes against his morals and sells out his business.
On top of that, George has married the lovely Mary (Reed) and with her begins a family. George
seems to live the perfect life, but as events lead him to the brink of disaster, his fate will be in the
hands of an Angel that can show him what life would be like in Bedford Falls without his
surprisingly positive influence.
For a full film review, please click
here.
It's a Wonderful Life Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
For a full Blu-ray video review, please click here.
It's a Wonderful Life Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
For a full Blu-ray audio review, please click here.
It's a Wonderful Life Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
Other than a change in the outward packaging presentation, this appears to be identical to the 2009 issue in all ways, which includes the on-disc
supplements. The carryover content is listed below; please click here for full coverage. This release does not ship with DVD
or digital copies. Note that the version I received does not include a slipcover or six collectible art cards which may have been exclusive to the original
pressing.
- The Making of It's a Wonderful Life
- Original Theatrical Trailer
It's a Wonderful Life Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
Paramount sent this version over instead of the above-linked version with the recipe cards so...why not throw together a quick review? In 2021, there's
really no need to pick this version up unless completists who bought the remastered Blu-ray want the extras on this disc which are not included in that
package. For those who simply own the original 2009 disc, there's certainly no reason to buy unless one just wants all things It's a Wonderful
Life in their collectible library.
