It's A Wonderful Life - 80th Anniversary

It's A Wonderful Life is coming to the Main Auditorium at Weymouth Pavilion on Friday 18 December, a matinee screening that marks the 80th anniversary of the film's release. Frank Capra's heart-warming masterpiece first came out in 1946, and since then it's become a holiday tradition for families all over the world. If you've never seen it, it's one of those rare films that actually earns its reputation.

James Stewart plays George Bailey, a man who sets aside his own dreams of world travel to run his father's small community bank. He spends his life protecting the people of Bedford Falls from the greedy businessman Mr Potter, played by Lionel Barrymore. When a costly mistake pushes George to the brink of despair, a visit from a kindly angel shows him how the life of one good man can change the world forever. It's a gentle story that hits hard where it counts, and it's just as effective now as it was eighty years ago.

Because it's a matinee, it's an easy one to bring the whole family along to. The film runs 2 hours and 10 minutes and is certified U, so it's suitable for all ages. It's a long one, but it's the kind of thing that feels right to settle into on a winter afternoon.

The screening is on Friday 18 December at 1pm in the Main Auditorium, and tickets are £5. With the 80th anniversary as the occasion, it's a good excuse to see it on the big screen rather than at home.