If you’ve yet to experience the festive classic It’s a Wonderful Life, now is the perfect moment to rectify that. Frank Capra’s 1946 gem is considered by many as the epitome of Christmas cinema: brimming with nostalgia and hope, it’s an essential viewing during the holiday season.

The narrative centres on George Bailey (portrayed brilliantly by James Stewart), a selfless man who has consistently set aside his personal aspirations to support his fellow townsfolk in Bedford Falls. On Christmas Eve 1945, George’s world seems to be crumbling. His family business teeters on the brink of disaster, and the ruthless banker Mr Potter (Lionel Barrymore) eagerly anticipates its downfall. In such dire straits, George contemplates ending his life on a bridge, reports the Mirror.

Enter Clarence, a clumsy guardian angel (Henry Travers) still waiting for his wings.

In a bid to rescue George, Clarence presents a grim vision of a world without him: Bedford Falls transforms into the bleak, neon-lit Pottersville, his brother is revealed to have perished as a child, and his wife Mary leads a lonely life as a librarian. Essentially, all the good George has done is erased.

While this might sound rather sombre, rest assured that the film concludes on a far more uplifting note – though I won’t divulge any more to avoid spoilers.

Remarkably, the picture bombed upon its initial release, haemorrhaging money and garnering lukewarm critical reception, yet when its copyright expired in the 1970s, American television networks began broadcasting it relentlessly each Christmas simply because it cost them nothing.

Before long, US viewers had embraced the film wholeheartedly, and it’s remained a festive television mainstay ever since. It’s now officially recognised as one of cinema’s finest achievements.

The American Film Institute crowned it their top inspirational picture, it’s safeguarded in the US National Film Registry, and maintains an impressive 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Over on Reddit, first-time viewers have confessed to being emotionally devastated:.

One shared: “I watched It’s a Wonderful Life for the first time on Christmas morning at 28 years old. My god. What a movie. This movie made me tear up, then it made me sob… I had to have a few White Russians to get through it.”

Another admitted: “The scene where George grabs his kids when he gets home like he’s drowning and they’re the only thing keeping him afloat… my man is acting his a** off!”.

Someone else revealed: “Every time Harry toasts ‘To my big brother George – the richest man in town!’ I’m gone.”

Whilst another simply declared: “If you don’t cry at ‘Remember, no man is a failure who has friends’… check your pulse.”

It’s A Wonderful Life is available to stream free on ITVX now.