Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Graham J

  
  I could watch this movie a million times and still get chills when he won't yield. The only film I really feel like deserves a standing ovation when the credits roll.

• Jameson W

  
  A classic film, among the all-time best. Perfect and timeless. The ending is one of my all-time favorite movie scenes. Powerful, almost depressing...you forget it's a movie. Jimmy Stewart gives an astounding performance, also one of my favorite performances in a movie.… More
  A classic film, among the all-time best. Perfect and timeless. The ending is one of my all-time favorite movie scenes. Powerful, almost depressing...you forget it's a movie. Jimmy Stewart gives an astounding performance, also one of my favorite performances in a movie. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director Frank Capra, and Best Actor James Stewart.

• Jay H

  
  Still today we have problems with the lies rampant throughout our political system, but this film gives us hope. We can create a more perfect union by nominating and electing those who actually understand what this nation is all about. People like the eponymous Mr. Smith are who we… More
  Still today we have problems with the lies rampant throughout our political system, but this film gives us hope. We can create a more perfect union by nominating and electing those who actually understand what this nation is all about. People like the eponymous Mr. Smith are who we need to look to elect. He epitomizes what this nation should be all about--democracy, freedom from corruption, and freedom of the press. A fabulous film.

• Thomas J

  
  The night before elections.... everyone should watch this movie and ask....am I voting for a Mr. Smith or Senator Paine. I was naive before watching this movie. I taught that a corrupt Washington D.C. was a recent event happening only during my life time, not realizing Congress was… More
  The night before elections.... everyone should watch this movie and ask....am I voting for a Mr. Smith or Senator Paine. I was naive before watching this movie. I taught that a corrupt Washington D.C. was a recent event happening only during my life time, not realizing Congress was almost as corrupt in 1939 as I see it now. EXCELLENT movie and still relevant 71 years later.

• Daniel P

  
  A classic, as expected, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington tells of a relative simpleton who becomes a Senator. The Senate expects to be able to prey upon his naivete, caught up in his high-flown ideals as he is, but what they don't count on is his determination to stand up for what he… More
  A classic, as expected, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington tells of a relative simpleton who becomes a Senator. The Senate expects to be able to prey upon his naivete, caught up in his high-flown ideals as he is, but what they don't count on is his determination to stand up for what he believes until he can (literallly) stand no more. Jimmy Stewart shines in what's commonly thought to be his defining role, and he does his best work in the famous scene the film spends its duration building up to: the filibuster. In this film, Frank Capra may have taught future filmakers how to tell a sweeping, populist epic. Fast cuts and montages carry much of the action, and as opposed to today's films, in which these are jarring or provide opportunities to slip out for more popcorn, when used correctly these devices can actually keep the story moving, and build intensity and emotional support for the protagonist. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is not a perfect film, however. It's important to keep in mind that Jean Arthur (who played Saunders) was billed ahead of Stewart on the marquee. This is the only way I can explain away the sequence in which she gets drunk with fellow staffer Diz (Thomas Moore) - Capra had to give the people (the men in the audience) what they wanted, a perfect floozie moment for an otherwise strong - too strong for the time? - female lead. My second complaint about the film is that the ending is all too tidy. Without spoiling it completely, suffice to say that someone's conscience eventually gets the better of him, which makes him give in. As I make this complaint, though, I'm reminded of how I came to even know of this film (as a child): via the provocatively titled Simpsons episode Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington, in which she wins an essay contest and, upon arriving in the capital, stumbles on and exposes her senator's corrupt dealings. Story of my generation, though: we are, compared to movie audiences in 1939, incredibly cynical by comparison. We have witnessed the rise of patently evil tycoons and politicians, and we don't anticipate that they will ever go down quietly, lying and cheating and hiding till the bitter end. In 1939, I think this was a plausible ending - Mr. Smith appealed to a commonly understood sense of decency in pleading his case. The very fact that I make this complaint, 70 years later, may prove precisely what Mr. Smith argued: "How am I to go back home and tell these boys liberty and equality are all a load of hooey?" he asks. Unfortunately, even before my generation was raised on the Simpsons, the average citizen, due to repeat scandal and breech of trust in public office, has walked away believing exactly that. For this reason, Mr. Smith is a film relevant to its moment, and one that is certainly not without import to our own.

• AJ V

  
  Great actors, great director, and a great movie. Unfortunately there haven't been any men in the government like Mr. Smith since this movie. This is a must see movie for people who like political stories.

• Spencer S

  
  The basis for any film about the guy who stood up to corruption, James Stewart proves his iconic status, memorable voice, and sheer presence and strength.

• Conner R

  
  Just a great movie, there's no way you can't appreciate the bravery this had in showing a corrupt US government. James Stewart always seems to find himself at home with Frank Capra, using the strengths he carried as an actor. No one else plays an earnest nice guy like him.… More
  Just a great movie, there's no way you can't appreciate the bravery this had in showing a corrupt US government. James Stewart always seems to find himself at home with Frank Capra, using the strengths he carried as an actor. No one else plays an earnest nice guy like him. Claude Rains, Thomas Mitchell, etc. Supporting casts don't get any stronger than that. It's beautifully shot and has great direction from Frank Capra, it's a near perfect movie.

• Jennifer D

  
  Heartbreaking and inspiring. I think Jimmy Stewart was excellently cast for this because he portrayed it just so well from a starry-eyed kid to a pushed-to-insanity man. The story was shrewd and flowed really well as I expected it to. It's a harsh and unfortunately, a fairly… More
  Heartbreaking and inspiring. I think Jimmy Stewart was excellently cast for this because he portrayed it just so well from a starry-eyed kid to a pushed-to-insanity man. The story was shrewd and flowed really well as I expected it to. It's a harsh and unfortunately, a fairly honest look at US politics and it's very clear why it's such an amazing classic.

• xGary X

  
  A fresh faced and idealistic young man is elected to the US senate, but when he finds that he is meant to be nothing more than a puppet of big business interests he tries to buck the system from within. The part Jimmy Stewart was born to play, he is perfect as the optimistic everyman… More
  A fresh faced and idealistic young man is elected to the US senate, but when he finds that he is meant to be nothing more than a puppet of big business interests he tries to buck the system from within. The part Jimmy Stewart was born to play, he is perfect as the optimistic everyman who is shocked by the reality of the political system. In this day and age of political spin, Frank Capra's trademark rose-tinting looks terribly naive, but characters such as Claude Rains' ex-idealist who learned to "play ball" and the cold hearted fatcat Edward Arnold, manipulating democracy for his own selfish ends still feel extremely familiar. This is one of those rooting for the little guy stories that makes you switch off your world weary cynicism and believe that the good guys can win, for a couple of hours anyway. Add some fantastic support from Jean Arthur and Thomas Mitchell (one of the many faces you will recognise from It's A Wonderful Life) as the wise-cracking, seen-it-all-before duo that are won over by Stewart's unshakable belief in the decency of the common man and you have one of the few films about the American political system that doesn't act as instant anaesthesia.

• Jon L

  
  James Stewart. This guy is great! I loved every minute of this film. The acting was awesome and the message even better. It goes to show you that you don?t need a lot of effects and ?spectacle? to produce a fine film. Watching James Stewart is a thrill. He always brings a… More
  James Stewart. This guy is great! I loved every minute of this film. The acting was awesome and the message even better. It goes to show you that you don?t need a lot of effects and ?spectacle? to produce a fine film. Watching James Stewart is a thrill. He always brings a certain personality to his characters that you can?t help rooting for. If you are interested in politics, this is an interesting film to watch. If you are a fan of great films, this one is a must to see.

• Stella D

  
  when it was first released, mr. smith goes to washington was attacked by the washington press, and politicians in the u.s. congress, as anti-american and pro-communist for its portrayal of corruption in the american government...when a ban on american films was imposed in… More
  when it was first released, mr. smith goes to washington was attacked by the washington press, and politicians in the u.s. congress, as anti-american and pro-communist for its portrayal of corruption in the american government...when a ban on american films was imposed in german-occupied france in 1942, some theaters chose to show mr. smith goes to washington as the last movie before the ban went into effect. one theater owner in paris reportedly screened the film nonstop for 30 days after the ban was announced. ~ via wiki........ jimmy + jean + capra = marvellous

• Jennifer X

  
  Jimmy Stewart is an absolutely brilliant actor. You don't think about it at first but he can display depths of emotions far surpassing his aw-shucks country boy nice guy persona. Kind of like this movie.

• Greg S

  
  An honest rube of a boy scout leader is appointed senator and sent to Washington where he uncovers political corruption, which he defeats using "Robert's Rules of Order." Some great moments, both subtle and crowd-pleasing, although in the end this sappy civics lesson… More
  An honest rube of a boy scout leader is appointed senator and sent to Washington where he uncovers political corruption, which he defeats using "Robert's Rules of Order." Some great moments, both subtle and crowd-pleasing, although in the end this sappy civics lesson is too blatantly manipulative to rank as a real classic.

• Red L

  
  I've always known about this movie. 50 years after it is filmed, I finally saw it for the first time. It is fine - honest hill billy takes on corrupt politicians and wins. But I prefer modern movies. The old ones seem too simplistic.

• Mark H

  
  Frank Capra is one of the most gifted directors that ever lived and here is the proof.

• Drew S

  
  My lack of unconditional reverence for the classics may make me sound ignorant, but the aging process has to be taken into consideration. Fuck all the AFI douches who haven't watched a new movie in 50 years. Anyway, I thought this movie was interesting in concept, but… More
  My lack of unconditional reverence for the classics may make me sound ignorant, but the aging process has to be taken into consideration. Fuck all the AFI douches who haven't watched a new movie in 50 years. Anyway, I thought this movie was interesting in concept, but didn't quite flourish on the screen. I'm sure an appreciation for politics, which life in America has bitterly stolen from me, would have made Mr. Smith more enjoyable, but I didn't care much for it either way.

• Rachel F

  
  It was slightly boring but it did have it's funny moments. It was ok.

• Michael G

  
  I cry at the end every time I see it.

• Lanning :

  
  Corruption in politics and the filibuster. Gee, how topical. I wonder how many aspiring politicians have seen this movie, told themselves that they wanted to be just like Jeff Smith, then finally made it to the hallowed halls of congress only to find that they could not be the next… More
  Corruption in politics and the filibuster. Gee, how topical. I wonder how many aspiring politicians have seen this movie, told themselves that they wanted to be just like Jeff Smith, then finally made it to the hallowed halls of congress only to find that they could not be the next Jeff Smith. Still, everyone who would become a politican should see this movie and take it to heart. <p> To give Capra his due--once again--this really is a wonderful film. Everyone who recalls this undoubtedly thinks of Jimmy Stewart. He is great. But it's the way these actors work together that makes this one, replete with admittedly gooey, even schlokey, moments, a great success. <p> Jean Arthur, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, and Thomas Mitchell all do excellent jobs in their greater and lesser roles. And I believe that's mostly due to a master director, Frank Capra.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings