The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland Collection: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

What has made It’s a Wonderful Life so iconic? This classic film from beloved filmmaker Frank Capra has become synonymous with Christmas due to NBC’s 24-hour marathon that has been running for years. It certainly captures that Christmas spirit and has elements that take place on the holiday but It’s a Wonderful Life is so much more than just a “Christmas Movie”. You have a faith-based film that speaks to mainstream and broad audiences. You have a film that explores business in a fascinating way (from both a positive and negative perspective). It’s a Wonderful Life has creative storytelling elements that make it feel fresh and dynamic back in 1946. This is a beloved classic film for a reason (or two).

What makes it such a holiday film classic? First, the climax of the film does take place on the doorstep of Christmas. It is Christmas Eve when the hapless Uncle Billy misplaces $8,000 which will destroy the life of his nephew George. The harrowing headspace that George is, with plenty of anger and frustration boiling over, is in stark contrast to the yuletide joy being experienced by his wife and children. That makes his outburst so much more poignant. Bedford Falls is decked out for the holiday, and the film truly captures that holiday feeling. The fact that the final shot of the film is the Bailey family embracing in front of a Christmas Tree and the whole town is singing carols in their home just really sets the mood. But the themes match the holiday as well, with George finally realizing how much of a community he has around him as a train of individuals arrives to lend him money to save his family and prevent him from going to jail. There is just a wonderful vibe of that cheer and joy that makes the final act of Capra’s film so magical.

How does Capra offer up a unique and impactful faith-based message in this classic film? Faith-based films are so heavy-handed and clunky in modern cinema. You will be lucky to find a faith-based film that has nuance as well as an actual narrative that reinforces the message. So many films have a lecturing tone, and the faith-based elements are every aspect of the film (which is so overbearing). But Capra’s film is a film that has angels and prayer, but it never feels like it is there for its main mission…to tell a good story. Film is storytelling. It is not lecturing or pontificating. Once it crosses that line, you lose the ability to connect in a meaningful way. It’s a Wonderful Life opens with angels conversing about George Bailey and comes back to them (as the framed narrative for much of the film) to tell the story. This film is an exploration of a man’s life and the impact it has had. A wonderfully creative narrative vehicle is used to help this character realize it as well. But having the film’s big shift in narrative approach arriving post prayer is something that just feels organic and authentic. You never feel like Capra is there to tell you how to live or beat you over with the same stale messaging. Incorporating a significant supporting character who is an angel is so deeply religious, but it just feels natural in the story that Capra delivers. Few faith-based films channel the nuance that Capra does with It’s a Wonderful Life.

What makes this film such a unique and interesting bit of storytelling? Capra’s film has quite a creative storytelling structure. Capra co-written screenplay works with a framed narrative for the first two acts while incorporating a multiversal “What-If” scenario into the story. This probably doesn’t sound groundbreaking in 2026 when multiverses are so popular in film and other media, but this must have been a surprising and intriguing twist for audiences in post-war America. For a harrowing time in human history after millions died over the course of WWII, a “What-If” is probably something that so many were yearning for in their own lives. Seeing this scenario for George Bailey and realizing that the grass is not always greener is quite a realization. This narrative twist is something quite intriguing as we see this “dark world” version of Bedford Falls and so many of the great characters we met along the way. The framed narrative itself makes for great storytelling as these angels commentate on the life of George Bailey as they realize how much sacrifice this man has made and the impact rippled from that. It is important that George does not see this truth as he must go on this dramatic journey in the third act (discussed above). Clarence is an audience stand-in (in a way) that is there to show and convince George how meaningful he is to his family and Bedford Falls. This is such a classic film, and many will take for granted just how clever and creative this narrative is.

You might not realize just how impactful It’s a Wonderful Life is, right? Many see this as great Christmas classic but not a truly great film. But they should. What Capra did was craft a beautiful and poignant character study of a good man. Not perfect…but a good man. James Stewart delivers a moving, charismatic, and empathetic performance as George Bailey, every man who becomes a hero for his community. Great supporting performances from Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, and Henry Travers give this even more depth. For 80 years, this film has stood the test of time and still shines on as a film that has touched the heart of so many people…that is a true classic.