Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

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1:45

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Released Oct 19, 1939

2h 5m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

100 Reviews

94%

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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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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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Mason M

I really didn't know what to expect when I watched it, but Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is truly one of the greater films of the golden age. I always love a good movie with my main man Jimmy Stewart, and he really does give one of his best performances here. And Frank Capra's directing and image composition was stellar and contained a lot more personality and life than most other directors of this era. But where this film really shines through is its writing and plot. Jeff Smith and Saunders were both amazingly written and enjoyable to watch characters, it has one of the more effective political commentaries I've seen, the dialogue was well thought out yet still felt real, and the final act was one of the best 30-40 minute spans of a movie I've seen in a while. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a riveting film with great characters that fully earns its place as a classic and one of the best films of its time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

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Jonathan C

This is my favorite movie of all time!!! It hits the feels with the great characters, the compelling story, the political drama, and the patriotism it inspires! LOVE this story!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

Full Review

Christian K

Man, does this movie worship Abe Lincoln and his monument. The sightseeing and media punching montages were pretty funny. Movies used to be so simple, the corrupt politician bad guys openly declare they are corrupt politician bad guys within the first few minutes of this movie.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/08/25

Full Review

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

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Frank Capra

Director

James Stewart

Jefferson Smith

Jean Arthur

Clarissa Saunders

Claude Rains

Sen. Joseph Harrison Paine

Edward Arnold

Jim Taylor

Guy Kibbee

Gov. Hubert "Happy" Hopper

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - I Will Not Yield!

2:13

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?

2:10

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

2:11

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?

2:13

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Official Clip - No Place in a Man's World

2:12

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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Trailer 1

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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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