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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Play trailer 1:45 Poster for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington Released Oct 19, 1939 2h 5m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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97% Tomatometer 100 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

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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 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. Nov 9, 2022 Full Review Elaine Klepper Orlando Sentinel Get set, folks, for a "rave" notice, for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington deserves no less than a bushel of raves. Nov 9, 2022 Full Review Frank S. Nugent New York Times Mr. Smith is one of the best shows of the year. More fun, even, than the Senate itself. Nov 9, 2022 Full Review Sarah Cortinaz InSession Film 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. Rated: A Apr 23, 2024 Full Review Sean Burns WBUR’s Arts & Culture Capra’s most astute use of Jean Arthur’s sly, sophisticated charms to temper a movie that would otherwise be a bit much. Feb 4, 2024 Full Review Jay Carmody Washington Star The Capra genius for creating unforgettable incident manifests itself in a dozen sequences in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Nov 9, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C Failed in 2 hours and 5 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 06/07/25 Full Review Douglas G It has great actors and cinematography. It is also Frank Capra at his most optimistic best. It should be mandatory for all new congressional members to view it every six years. Of course, today, it is not “local/state bosses” but lobbyists. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/11/25 Full Review Rare T Mr. Smith takes Washington back to school. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/03/24 Full Review Jeffrey B Jimmy Stewart doing what he does best: playing the "everyman" who just wants to do the right thing in the face of a bunch of corrupt politicians. Only in a movie such as this is idealism rewarded. Is it realistic? Probably not; but it is a feelgood movie about how our government should remember who it represents. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review harwee h Yes it passed the time. That's what this movie is. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/22/23 Full Review Greg H The greatest American politics based movie of all time. It's a movie so shockingly relevant that you realize the fight against the corrupt political machine had been and will be fought endlessly. Jimmy Stewart is the honest everyman we all need and root for while seeing all too familiar political tactics used against him. If you want an example of a classic movie that is relevant today then Mr. Smith goes to Washington is a great start. People forget what their Country means just reading history books. Getting older you forget even more. Liberty's too precious so please watch this important film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/18/23 Full Review 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
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