Amazon Prime fans were in a frenzy after the streaming service cut a crucial scene from the beloved Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life.

A shortened version of the 1946 film was released just in time for the holidays, but it was edited to omit a scene that many would consider to be the most important part of the Hollywood classic.

The black and white favorite follows the character of businessman George Bailey as he struggles to take his own life.

In the scene in question, known as the “Pottersville scene,” George wishes he had never been born before his guardian angel reminds him that he must earn “his angel wings.”

In the original film, George tells the angel that he believes he is worth more dead than alive. The angel then tells George that he does not know everything he has done in his life, before showing him a version of a dark world in which he never existed.

This is when George realizes that he has a wonderful life and is a positive influence on his loved ones, to whom he desperately wants to return at the end of the film.

But in the abridged version on Prime, the moment the angel tells George he needs to earn his wings abruptly cuts to George running happily through the streets, having come to terms with his life – without mentioning which caused him to have a change of heart.

It didn’t take long before fans of the film flocked to social media outraged at the updated version of the film, arguing that it omitted the entire plot of the film.

On , in which George sees life was not born. That’s all that’s shortened. The best and most important part of the film. Only. Wow.”

Another fumed: “Be prepared for the abridged version of It’s a Wonderful Life that leaves out the ENTIRE Pottersville part about what it would be like if he had never been born and goes straight to him being completely fine again.” goes without any obvious reason. This exists and is available on Prime.”

A third echoed: “I can’t believe how much Amazon butchered It’s a Wonderful Life in the abridged edition!” They literally competed: George asked Clarence if he had $8,000, and George ran home cheering down the street.”

Meanwhile, another added: “Unless you know the movie by heart, this leaves no other interpretation than that Clarence gave George $8,000 to solve the problem!”

Amazon Prime has since clarified that the full version of the popular film is still available on their platform. It also appears that the version of the film was released after a copyright dispute regarding the important scene, which was based on a short story.

However, this wasn’t enough for many fans of the film, as they claimed that the shortened version was the easiest to find on the platform.

One disappointed viewer wrote: “Why do you need a ‘shortened’ version of this? The original is fine. It’s streaming. You can pause, fast forward or stop playback if you get bored. Who makes this exist?” Another repeated: “Okay, let’s do the Polar Express, but without the train parts. And Die Hard, but without Hans Gruber.”

Daily Express has contacted an Amazon spokesperson for comment.