Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
"The best hollywood picture of the year." - Nation
A small town idealist, Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) answers the call to duty when he's unexpectedly named to fill a vacant seat in the U.S. Senate. Determined to do some good, he sponsors a bill to create a national boy's camp, unaware it threatens to undermine a graft scheme sponsored by his home state's crooked political machine. Framed and threatened with expulsion, Jefferson takes to the Senate floor, where he attempts to prove his innocence in one of the most rousing climactic scenes in screen history. Nominated for eleven 1939 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington is Frank Capra's masterpiece, a "great and wonderful film" (The Motion Picture Guide) that's as timely and relevant as ever.
Member Reviews
charming - SadDadDancing
Naive and exaggerated? Sure, but it's charmingly naive and appropriately exaggerated. Capra makes movies that look at morality and integrity in black and white terms. It's not the kind of world view I want from every film I see, but it works wonderfully here. I like a lack of cynicism every now and then. But aside from all that, the movie was quite entertaining and interesting. Stewart was born to play this role. It's not a movie I'm going to watch a million times, but I'm very glad I saw it.Very relevant - Poet
This movie is still very relevant many decades later, in a time where people feel more and more cynical toward the political system.
Here we have the story of the little man standing up to the big guns for what he believes in deep down in his heart. He will do all he has to do to uncover the truth.
James Stewart was brilliant in this. I found the ending kind of abrupt and unrealistic, but I think that is more a sign of the time in which the movie was made. This one is definitely a classic.Must see for families! - Pete_Huge
In a world where morality is seen as having no absolutes this film delivers a powerfull message.
Mr.Smith is seen as a dope that the big wheels can use to get what they want, but little do they know how deep this man's convictions run.
Faced with either compromising and living in comfort or doing what is right and just and suffering for it, Mr.Smith finds himself alone in his fight for justice.
This movie adresses peer pressure, justice, perseverence, truth, honour and heroism. Watch this movie with your kids and talk about it. It is a great teaching tool for parents.
An amazingly powerful movie that pulls no punches in it's attack on the political system and it's corruption.
Member Reviews
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charming - SadDadDancing
Naive and exaggerated? Sure, but it's charmingly naive and appropriately exaggerated. Capra makes movies that look at morality and integrity in black and white terms. It's not the kind of world view I want from every film I see, but it works wonderfully here. ...Very relevant - Poet
This movie is still very relevant many decades later, in a time where people feel more and more cynical toward the political system.
Here we have the story of the little man standing up to the big guns for what he believes in deep down in his heart. ...Must see for families! - Pete_Huge
In a world where morality is seen as having no absolutes this film delivers a powerfull message.
Mr.Smith is seen as a dope that the big wheels can use to get what they want, but little do they know how deep this man's convictions run.
Faced with either ...