Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

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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

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

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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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Stephen C

Failed in 2 hours and 5 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/07/25

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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

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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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