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It’s a Wonderful Life Streaming.
Movie Title: It’s a Wonderful Life It’s a Wonderful Life is available for streaming or downloading. |
Rather than review the assure of this almost universally beloved film, I’m honest going to comment about the quality of the 2006 60th Anniversary Edition DVD itself. I’ve since written an updated review about a original edition of this title, now available in a “Two-Disc Collector’s State.” Please accept that review — which was posted on December 13, 2008. (Amazon has posted my 2006 review in both places — even though the “60th Anniversary Edition” DVD is DIFFERENT from the “Two-Disc Collector’s Situation”. Read my write-up for the “Two-Disc Collector’s State” — again, it’s DATED 2008 and too early to unpleasant among the “most favorable” reviews — to better choose which product you take.)
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I’ve owned nearly every version of this title in almost every format available on home video during the past 25 years. It’s right that the Inform of this Viacom/Paramount DVD — including its special features — is identical to the Republic Pictures Home Video release more than 10 years ago.
However, this 60th Anniversary edition is spectacular for several different and extremely vital reasons. (I’ll address the criticisms some people have leveled about the sound on this 2006 DVD in a runt bit, so stick with me.)
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You don’t have to be a technical expert to immediately recognize the striking improvement of the recount AND sound in this 2006 edition. The print is crystal-clear and in my belief, has more vividness and sharpness than ALL other previous releases of this title on home video.
Proof? I do my “passe” THX-version DVD issued by Republic Pictures / Artisan Home Video (the aged DVD gold standard for this title) — into my Sony multi-changer DVD player — and watched and listened to every frame of this film AND its special features. I stopped and started this “older” DVD in several spots — and stopped and started the unusual 2006 Paramount edition repeatedly — so I could compare quality almost “side-by-side.”
Hands down — this 2006 version is wonderful. The spots and dirt have been wiped spruce, the sharpness and disagreement are arguably better than what film audiences saw 60 years ago. There are no conventional spots, no jumped frames and no lint, fiber or hair fragments along the edges or jumping across the cover. I absorb the technicians at Paramount (which acquired Republic Pictures Home Video) — digitally cleaned EVERY frame of the last DVD release — so that the film now looks like a million dollars. It’s almost too pristine, if there is such a thing. No jump cuts, no “jump ahead” sound breaks, no fogged-out scenes, nothing stale — with the result being the cleanest and purest version of “It’s A Fantastic Life” ever issued in home video history.
It gets better. English subtitles were available on older DVD versions of this title, but the 2006 version has a cleaner typeface, wiping out some of the confusing and unnecessary attributions of “who’s saying what” that were disruptive to some hearing-impaired viewers. In this 2006 version, you’ll secure a mostly straight, line-by-line reading of what’s being said — as it’s being said.
Meanwhile, the DVD’s special features — which include the same pair of documentaries produced in 1990 and 1991 — are identical in that they were shot on video tape hence there isn’t powerful improvement in characterize quality. However, subtitles that WERE NOT available for these special features — are NOW available in this 2006 edition. The only “extra” to the previous “gold standard” that remains unchanged — is the current 1946 trailer. Subtitles are not available and it has the same raggedness and dirt commonly seen with vintage trailers stored separately from the films they venerable to advertise.
I’m highly significant of re-issued DVDs that seem nothing more than an excuse to squeeze more dollars out of buyers for the same material with fresh packaging. But this 2006 Paramount DVD version of “It’s A Fantastic Life” is the best to date. It is NOT in color. (I occupy a colorized version for younger people who can’t stand black-and-white. Despite controversy surrounding colorization, know that the 2007 “Two-Disc Collector’s Area” has the same 2006 60th Anniversary black-and-white edition you notice here — plus a current “colorized” version. This version uses the same pristine print — but has the added bonus of boasting the best “color” hues ever seen for this film, using the latest image technology available. Despite my preference for black-and-white, the quality of this recent colorized version is impressive.)
Meanwhile, let’s address the criticisms about the sound on this current DVD. Go encourage a dinky bit. Mighty was made when Republic Pictures Home Video got the THX LucasFilm sound system seal of approval for “It’s A Amazing Life” during the 1990s. But it was smooth two-channel mono with negligible equalization of sound effects. In this 2006 DVD, you’ll collect consistent two-channel mono and decent sound equalization to minimize “booming” and over-modulated portions in the film. In the ancient versions, you had to turn down the volume a notch during the musical portions — and turn it assist up when the dialogue came succor. It’s a nit-pick, but you really explore the contrast if you’re crazy enough to do a side-by-side comparison like I did.
As for the digital sound “pops” that perfectionists hold bringing up — they’re apt. They’re even in the spots famed by another sparkling reviewer who listed time codes where you can regain them. But in my belief, unless you brace yourselves for them to near like a booming roar — unless you purposely crank up your speakers to carry sound throughout your house — yeah, you “might” be annoyed if you question the same perfection for a film made in 1946 as you would for a film made in 2006. Honestly, the disproportionate attention given to these digital “pops” is, in my thought, giving fence-sitters the impression that they’re supersonic cracks of lightning that will compose people jump out of their seats. I didn’t twitch at all. They almost “blended” into the 60-year-old soundtrack. Yes, I know they’re digital defects, but do you remember the zillion “pops” scattered throughout dirty prints of “It’s A Astounding Life” with filthy optical soundtracks? The audio on this 2006 DVD peaceful wins. You have EVERY Factual to seek information from perfection for your dollars. But as a person who’s more fastidious than average — I don’t fill most buyers will care about a few “pops” in a film that’s this venerable. Combine the overall improvements with the relatively extreme cost of this DVD — and I tranquil say this is the BEST experience of “It’s A Improbable Life” I’ve ever SEEN and HEARD on home video.
Finally, another reason to grasp this DVD. It’s frail news to some, but it’s not widely known that this version of “It’s A Fabulous Life” can only be broadcast by NBC. It customary to air a zillion times during the holidays on every TV position on earth. It was a swiftly draw to fetch tired of even a trim film you consider you know by heart. But Viacom/Paramount now owns this version of “It’s A Amazing Life” outright and NBC has unusual licensing rights to air it fair once or twice after Thanksgiving. This is a proper thing for future generations to indulge in.
So junk the ancient, assume this version and be glad. It may feel painful, but it’s worth it. And no, I DON’T work for Amazon OR for Paramount Home Video.
A beautifully crafted film that proved to be the apex of triple Oscar-winner (1934, 1936, 1938) Frank Capra’s renowned career, and the epitome of his cycle of works celebrating the “current man”. Mr. Deeds found himself suddenly wealthy, Mr. Smith went to Washington as a Senator, and John Doe became the focus of a socio-political movement; but “Life”‘s George Bailey never distinguishes himself outside of his runt hometown of Bedford Falls — his brother Harry is the one who becomes a war hero, and his friend Sam Wainwright is the one who achieves financial success. George’s triumph is simply his personal integrity, his code of ethics, and his strength of character — his goodness, if you will — during the unexciting course of his ordinary, mundane existence. In this respect, George is more an Everyman than any other Capra protagonist, bewitching strong audience identification and response.
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In one of the most handsome performances ever given in an American film, James Stewart is proper as George. It’s not an easy role to play because so mighty camouflage time is spent focusing on George’s subtle reactions to the world around him. One improbable moment comes at the bid space when George slowly begins to acquire the news of his brother’s original marriage and unusual career opportunity, and how his brother’s fortune will ruin his maintain hopes of leaving Bedford Falls and the family business. Stewart’s face is astonishing in this scene, as surprised realization fades into aloof disappointment and finally, gentle graciousness and acceptance. Stewart’s tour de force is given strong help by a satisfactory cast of Capra stalwarts, including Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, H. B. Warner, and the phenomenal Beulah Bondi (as George’s mother) . And Donna Reed, in one of her first romantic leading roles after a number of years playing supporting ingenues and bits, is profitable in the warm but unglamorous role of George’s loving wife, Mary.
The Republic Home Video DVD is definitely the edition of this classic to have. Like the LaserDisc before it, the DVD offers a crystal distinct, beautifully restored film-to-video transfer which will amaze and delight anyone who is familiar only with the unfriendly multi-generational VHS cassettes, or the dreadful colorized version, that were commonly screened support in the tedious 1970′s and 1980′s. There are some nice bonus features on the DVD, including a “making of” documentary and the theatrical trailer. This is one DVD that you’ll never regret adding to your home theatre collection!
Trivia note: If you’re a fan of this movie, try finding a copy of film historian David Thomson’s 1985 original “Suspects” which continues George’s record and relates the characters from this movie to many others (did you know that Donna Reed’s “Mary Bailey” is actually the sister of Gene Tierney’s “Laura”?!, etc.) … gigantic fun!
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