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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Play trailer 1:45 Poster for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 1939 2h 5m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 98 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
When the idealistic young Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) winds up appointed to the United States Senate, he gains the mentorship of Senator Joseph Paine (Claude Rains). However, Paine isn't as noble as his reputation would indicate, and he becomes involved in a scheme to discredit Smith, who wants to build a boys' campsite where a more lucrative project could go. Determined to stand up against Paine and his corrupt peers, Smith takes his case to the Senate floor.
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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

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Critics Consensus

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington -- and returns with an uplifting ode to idealism that distills the strengths of its director and leading man.

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Critics Reviews

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Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer 11/09/2022
This contender for Academy honors has warmth as well as wit, beguiling charm as well as pointed satire, and it rekindles a few patriotic ideals that have long slept un der the smothering blanket of political scandals and governmental misdeeds. Go to Full Review
Elaine Klepper Orlando Sentinel 11/09/2022
Get set, folks, for a "rave" notice, for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington deserves no less than a bushel of raves. Go to Full Review
Frank S. Nugent New York Times 11/09/2022
Mr. Smith is one of the best shows of the year. More fun, even, than the Senate itself. Go to Full Review
Sarah Cortinaz InSession Film 04/23/2024
A
Through Capra’s eyes, we imagine the hopes that our forefathers had one day dreamt for us. Using our voices to stand up for those that need our help. Go to Full Review
Sean Burns WBUR’s Arts & Culture 02/04/2024
Capra’s most astute use of Jean Arthur’s sly, sophisticated charms to temper a movie that would otherwise be a bit much. Go to Full Review
Jay Carmody Washington Star 11/09/2022
The Capra genius for creating unforgettable incident manifests itself in a dozen sequences in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Ben N @Bneffer 22h The level of patriotism in this film is appropriate for kids and adults with overzealous national flag waving. The ideals the country were founded on are aspirational, and I love the core message to keep those ideals in mind. Corruption is ever present and certainly a problem today, so this is clearly relevant, and likely always will be. The characterizations are over simplified and the male/female balance is off, despite trying hard of the day it was produced in. The acting is good, but theatrical. See more thiago S @Thiagostone Apr 19 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Phil H. @PapercutsAndJumpcuts Feb 8 Capra’s cornball sincerity should collapse under its own weight….. & somehow it doesn’t. My favorite one of a kind everyman - Jimmy Stewart - turns naivety into moral courage, so the famous filibuster lands less as speechmaking than slow emotional exhaustion. The villains aren’t cartoons; they’re systems, which is why the movie still rings true, and stings hard. You don’t watch it for realism… you watch it to remember what the country claims it wants to be. Recommended viewing for those against autocrats. See more Breathe J @SilverScreenSweetheart Feb 2 From the golden age of Hollywood, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington is a phenomenal classic film that follows Jefferson Smith (James Stewart), a young political outsider who becomes a U.S. Senator against all odds. Laced with masterful direction (from Frank Capra), emotional scenes, deep patriotism, and breathtaking performances, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington is indeed a must-see. While there was not a dull performance in the film, James Stewart and Jean Arthur truly stole the show. Stewart’s passion, conviction and transformation from a naive citizen to an artful politician is stellar, and Jean Arthur’s portrayal of the intelligent Clarissa Saunders is truly a diamond. This movie is so inspiring, emotional, and patriotic, and not only will it make you want to run for the Senate tomorrow, but it will convince you that you can! Every American should watch this powerful masterpiece at least once in their laugh. It will make you laugh, cry, and thank your lucky stars that you are an American. See more Tad T @Tad19 Dec 9 Overlong and overrated. The film could happily be cut by 30 minutes as it begins to repeat the same basic ideas after having reached mid point. There are some amusing scenes, but it doesnt really have much emotional force: the idea of the boys camp is too cutesy, and the American nationalism comes over as disingeneuous and improbable. See more Grant H @RT95929188 Dec 2 One of the best from Hollywood’s golden year with every lead at the top of their craft! James Stewart was born to play this role that is the essence of American idealism, courage and optimism. In spite of its glowing principles, it also provides an insight into the chicanery of politics and how the US of 2025 came to be. See more Read all reviews
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - I Will Not Yield! Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - I Will Not Yield! 2:13 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - Lost Causes Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - Lost Causes 2:07 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - Don't You Think I Better Hold This For You? Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - Don't You Think I Better Hold This For You? 2:10 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - The Truth, For a Change Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - The Truth, For a Change 2:14 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - Liberty is Too Precious a Thing Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - Liberty is Too Precious a Thing 2:11 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - A Fine Young Patriot Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - A Fine Young Patriot 1:59 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - What Are You Going to Believe In? Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - What Are You Going to Believe In? 2:13 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - No Place in a Man's World Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - No Place in a Man's World 2:12 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis When the idealistic young Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) winds up appointed to the United States Senate, he gains the mentorship of Senator Joseph Paine (Claude Rains). However, Paine isn't as noble as his reputation would indicate, and he becomes involved in a scheme to discredit Smith, who wants to build a boys' campsite where a more lucrative project could go. Determined to stand up against Paine and his corrupt peers, Smith takes his case to the Senate floor.
Director
Frank Capra
Producer
Frank Capra
Screenwriter
Lewis R. Foster, Sidney Buchman
Distributor
Columbia Pictures, Columbia TriStar Home Video, Columbia Tristar
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 19, 1939, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Runtime
2h 5m