Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
A naive man is appointed to fill a vacancy in the US Senate. His plans promptly collide with political corruption, but he doesn't back down.
Cast and Information
Directed By: Frank Capra
Written By: Lewis R. Foster, Sidney Buchman
Starring: Eugene Pallette, James Stewart, Guy Kibbee, Charles Lane, Jack Carson, Harry Carey, Edward Arnold, Thomas Mitchell, Claude Rains, Beulah Bondi, Jean Arthur, Anne Cornwall
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Where to Stream
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| Stars | User | Rating | |
| 4 |  |
cagedwisdom | 100 90th |
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Ridiculously cliched, corny and patriotic even for Frank Capra. It's a testament to his fantastic direction and Jimmy Stewart's performance then that the film still manages to be pretty incredible. The beginning is the most corny and it really redeems itself further into the film, fantastic towards the end. Classic.
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| 4 |  |
jstry | 85 75th |
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Not as captivating as something like 12 Angry Men, but Stewart is impeccable. When he was acting nervous, I FELT nervous, when he was irate, I FELT irate. Jean Arthur was pretty great too. Definitely enjoyable.
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| 3 |  |
hellsditch | 85 85th |
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Amazingly, my first exposure to the work of Frank Capra (I've never seen "Wonderful Life"). It's funny. A year ago, I would have viewed this movie as overwrought, American self-mythicizing (I say this as an American, by the way). Instead, I watched this a day after the 2008 election, which might have been the most perfect time EVER to watch this movie, and I was left feeling hopeful and uplifted.
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| 3 |  |
BillyShears | 95 96th |
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The man says "Holy mackerel" and means it; you can't break that kind of spirit.
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| 3 |  |
Bmunise | 95 80th |
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It starts off as a cheesy comic piece, but it soon becomes everything you wish American politics actually was. Easy as it is to see as hopelessly idealistic, it is just as easy to suspend your disbelief and hang on Jimmy Stewart's every last filibustering word.
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| 2 |  |
Magb | 80 61st |
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Stewart's character's sudden change from blue-eyed country bumpkin to shrewd political demagogue is nearly impossible to believe, but James Stewart makes it seem possible. The calculated political power struggles are presented in a surprisingly realistic way.
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| 2 |  |
chemical404 | 90 99th |
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Probably most idealistic film ever made, unsurprisingly directed by Capra, whose films always have very strong moral values. Stewart is stellar as a naive, passionate man, who goes on a fight against political corruption. It's a very touching film. I don't believe anything like this could be made nowadays, when choosing between two wrongs is considered common sense, mediocrity is like a new religion, and any idealism is considered childish. Well, fuck that. I'm with you, Jimmy!
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| 2 |  |
naikou | 40 25th |
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The beginning was unnecessarily drawn out, the depiction of group mentality was laughable, the idealistic themes were overblown and made little sense. Worst of all, the plot is driven by inexplicable leaps in logic (for instance: Taylor tries to frame Smith for stealing dimes from boy scouts instead of just using the fact that at one point in the movie he actually runs around Washington assaulting news reporters). Luckily Stewart is a wonderful actor or this movie would be absolute bunk.
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| 1 |  |
howellchuck | 95 81st |
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Yes, it's "Capra-corn," but don't you wish innocence and idealism like Jefferson Smith's actually had a place in government?
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| 1 |  |
Moribunny | 65 65th |
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Cheesy, old-fashioned and dated, but still, undeniably, pretty good, especially the last half-hour.
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| 1 |  |
CloseFriend | 81 77th |
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I've never in my life seen a movie that with such alacrity and single-minded dedication forced the viewer's jaws open and mashed patriotism down his/her throat. The ending turn wasn't really firmly supported by the plot. Still, James Stewart is so unrelentingly lovableespecially in this role which so enhances his lovabilityand the villain so powerful and pervasive and the odds so insurmountable that by the end one can't help but feel thrilled for Jefferson Smith and his triumph.
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| 1 |  |
Nathan S | 1 6th |
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Sickeningly idealistic, void of actual insight or cinematic value.
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| 1 |  |
caiman | 85 79th |
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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.
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| 1 |  |
frankswild | 85 86th |
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It doesn't make sense to criticize this movie or the character of Jeff Smith for being naive. Sometimes the best way to combat the cynical wisdom that government corruption should just be accepted as the way things work is through asserting the simple naive expectation that it should not be that way.
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| 1 |  |
Stain | 90 86th |
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Corny as hell, but it still works. Acted with mucho conviction by Jimmy Stewart
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| 1 |  |
Anomaly | 80 75th |
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Occasionally naive in execution, but still so pointed in its criticisms of corruption, bureaucracy, corporate influence, etc. Stewart's performance carries the film, what an incredible actor.
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| 1 |  |
frederic_g54 | 9 90th |
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Another classic from Capra, but filled with an unflattering look at corrupt politicians and even a pessmistic tone (compared to his previous and later uplifting films). It's doesn't diminish its strength, in fact the 3rd act is nothing short of uplifting and Stewart delivers another great performance. Recommended!
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| 1 |  |
westknife | 70 47th |
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Must be seen for its historical importance, but it isn't the masterpiece I expected. James Stewart is, as always, very likable and this is one of his most famous roles. The first half is a goofy account of him adjusting from his country ways to his new Washington life, and the second half is his adventure upholding true American ideals in the face of Senate corruption. Very hokey but it was fun.
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| 1 |  |
Mentaculus | 92 92nd |
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The least racist thing the filibuster was ever used for. Stranger things have happened in Congress. I’m not about to get all misty-eyed and jingoed but a part of me feels like every American should see this movie and know what’s at stake - we should all feel uplifted by Senator Smith’s doey reverence at the marbled halls and shitty seating. My recent cynicism doesn’t buy the ending but a lifelong commitment to common morality should have people in awe that an 80 year old movie still speaks to us
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| 1 |  |
tonydal | 95 97th |
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Thomas Mitchell is great. And Jimmy Stewart painting his vocal chords with mercurichrome (or however that went) for the filibuster scene. The picture of the press is as cynically relevant today as then; and yet another reason why you could look upon Capra as a card-carrying commie (did he get into trouble with HUAC?--you'd think he must've). And then there was him bemoaning his fate--and missed Oscars: "Making the best picture of my life the year they release Gone With the Wind."
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| 1 |  |
bellamyr | 89 92nd |
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Dated certainly, but none the more relevant for that. In fact so little has changed the plot is even more poinient. Great role and writing with a quaint but honest performance by James Stewart. Originally a comedy drama but now it has an unintentional cynical twist given modern politics which it foretold
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| 1 |  |
Quicky | 89 94th |
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I'm really starting to like James Stewart. Great intense script with an excellent performance by Stewart. This movie gave us a great deal of fun, so much in fact that I had to forgive Capra the corny and clich%uFFFD moments at times.
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| 1 |  |
Jeb | 96 89th |
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Another of Capra's classics that assails politics, corruption and common economics. Stewart is always an elation to watch, and here he is just as uplifting as he has been in the rest of his filmography.
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| 1 |  |
ewp805 | 88 91st |
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Classic Capra. Stewart's charisma makes the filibuster scenes some of the best to ever grace the screen.
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| 1 |  |
SirStuckey | 95 97th |
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An amazing film with an amazing performance. It's only problem is that it's a tad dated in the 'we get information seconds after it happens' era. Regardless, it's an excellent movie that illustrates the type of passion and beliefs we should want from our congressman.
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| 1 |  |
billkerwin | 86 71st |
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This classic is showing its age, but Stewart and Arthur are both wonderful.
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| 1 | waddayanuts | 82 91st |
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You gotta love the idealistic Jimmy Stewart battling the evil forces of Washington politics. Hell, you gotta love Jimmy Stewart doing anything.
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| 1 |  |
Ununnilium | 97 98th |
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This was actually even better than I expected - more honest about power and corruption and its consequences. "More relevant than ever" is a phrase that's trotted out until its entire meaning is erased by cliche, but *this* is absolutely something whose relevance to our time and our sad, broken system can't be overstated.
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| 1 |  |
Insan3 | 90 89th |
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The film takes a rather unflattering look at politics and the men who practice them, which is a plus in my books. Having Stewart play the likable, naive lead character helps as well. Having one of the greatest climaxes I've seen in the form of the "filibustering" scene, earns another set of points. Great stuff, and highly recommended. Even though, the movie can be rather contrived in certain situations, I just didn't care.
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| 1 |  |
MontyCircus | 60 68th |
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a.k.a "It's a Wonderful Government". Not bad, except for the WTF bit where he goes on a rampage punching out reporters. I was convinced "...it must be a dream sequence...?" But no. WTF. Also, a state-wide campaign of murdering children? WTF again. And it would have been better, and more realistic, with a cynical ending.
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| 1 |  |
ThereminJam | 93 97th |
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Jimmy Stewart gives a flawless performance. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen.
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| 1 |  |
comepelicula | 85 93rd |
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Sure, Jimmy's character seems too silly in this movie, but all this American and sentimental stuff is really fun, also the times where is located is really fun to watch, so naïve, I was very entertained by this movie and I think the storytelling is fantastic, a true classic.
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| 1 |  |
talonmalon | 93 88th |
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A great old movie with a great performance by Jimmy Stewart. His monologue at the end is absolutely phenomenal and is probably one of his best performances in film.
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| Average Percentile 71.44% from 2487 Ratings |  |