Rating summary
| Movie |  | 5.0 |
| Video |  | 4.5 |
| Audio |  | 4.0 |
| Extras |  | 2.0 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
It's a Wonderful Life Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 20, 2021
Paramount has once again re-released the timeless 1946 film 'It's a Wonderful Life,' starring Jimmy Stewart and directed by Frank Capra, to
Blu-ray. This two-disc set is identical to the two-disc set the studio released on October 29, 2019, featuring new extras and a remastered 1080p
transfer (there was also a companion 4K release of the film, which is also available in SteelBook packaging). This set is distinguished by its DigiBook style packaging
and the inclusion of ten recipe cards from the Bailey Family cookbook. See the 'Special Features and Extras' section of the review below for more on
the packaging and the recipe cards.
For a full film review, please click
here; note that this link points to the 2009 Blu-ray
release.
It's a Wonderful Life Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
For a full video review, please click here.
It's a Wonderful Life Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
For a full audio review, please click here.
It's a Wonderful Life Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
For this release of It's a Wonderful Life, Paramount ships the two-disc set in DigiBook-style packaging which slides into an outer slip box which
features identical artwork to the DigiBook proper. On both sides a gray border wraps around a dominantly blue center area; on the front is the classic
image depicting George and Mary embracing, looking lovingly into one another's eyes, with the moon prominent top center and the film's title within.
The rear side includes Clarence's note to George. Clarence sits bottom left on a snowy step looking up at the moon top right. The two discs are
staggered-stacked on the right hand side interior above a classic black-and-white still from the film's end. On the left is a reinforced pocket to hold the
ten Bailey Family Holiday Recipe cards.
The cards are very attractive. They're printed on glossy stock; there are two cards in each of five categories: Appetizers ("He's Bats" Minestrone and
Pastry Snails), Cocktails and Drinks (Homemade Eggnog and Mama and Papa Dollar, the latter of which is an alcoholic drink), Dessert (Clarence's Angel
Food Cake and Vanilla Moonbeam Pies), Entrees (Classic Holiday Roast Turkey and Glazed Holiday Ham), and Sides (Corn Muffins and Home Blessing
Salad). The front of the card gives the name of the dish at the top and the category at the bottom. Delicious-looking color photos of the food fill the rest
of the front space. On the rear are very detailed descriptions of the food, ingredients lists, preparation instructions, and a couple of additional small
color photos.
Everything looks delicious!
For full coverage of the on-disc supplemental content, please click here. A digital copy code is included with purchase.
It's a Wonderful Life Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
For those who have a passion for cooking and don't yet own the film on Blu-ray, this is the way to go. For all others, it's probably a pass with no new on
disc content.
