A 30-minute documentary filmed in Seneca Falls entitled “The Real Bedford Falls: It’s a Wonderful Life” was released on Amazon Prime Video, DVD and online video platforms this week. The documentary, produced by produced by Central New York filmmakers Francis DiClemente (Syracuse) and Stu Lisson (Skaneateles), makes the case that Seneca Falls, NY was indeed the inspiration for Frank Capra’s holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life”.
The film was produced by Honest Engine Films and distributed by Virgil Films and Entertainment. It recently won a New York Emmy Award in the category of Nostalgia-Long Form Content.
The documentary’s release comes at the 75th anniversary of the release of It’s a Wonderful Life which will be celebrated at the annual It’s A Wonderful Life Festival in Seneca Falls that will run from December 8th – December 12th. The film will be screened at the It’s a Wonderful Life Festival at the Trinity Church in downtown Seneca Falls on Saturday, December 11th at 1:30 pm.
Here is the movie’s trailer:
DiClemente’s synopsis of the film is below:
Was one of the world’s most beloved motion pictures influenced by a small upstate New York town? The Real Bedford Falls: It’s a Wonderful Life is an Emmy Award-winning, half-hour documentary that explores the connections between Seneca Falls, New York, and Bedford Falls, the setting of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life.
The documentary examines small-town life in Seneca Falls, captures the excitement of the annual It’s a Wonderful Life Festival, and celebrates the enduring themes of the Frank Capra classic. The film features interviews with Karolyn Grimes (who played Zuzu Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life), Jimmy Hawkins (who played Tommy Bailey), Monica Capra Hodges, granddaughter of Frank Capra, and film critic Leonard Maltin. Former NBC Today show correspondent Bob Dotson provides the narration.
FingerLakes1.com, Inc. provided some of the video footage that was used in the documentary. Drone footage captured by Zack Kelly during the It’s A Wonderful Run 5K and additional video footage we captured at DiClemente’s request late in production appear throughout.
How you can watch The Real Bedford Falls: It’s a Wonderful Life:
- Amazon Prime Video – $19.99
- Vimeo – $2.99
- Google Play Store – $4.99
- Apple TV – $2.99
- VUDU – $2.99
- Amazon (DVD) – $7.99
- Target (DVD) – $7.99
- Walmart (DVD) – $9.98
- Screening at Trinity Church in Seneca Falls on 12/11 at 1:30 pm
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