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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
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
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 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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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 Full Review 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 Read all reviews
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

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Cast & Crew

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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

Movie Clips

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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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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Trailer 1 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: Trailer 1 1:45 View more videos
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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) View more photos

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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