
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)★ 8.0/10
- Comedy
- Drama
Directed by: Frank Capra
Written by: Sidney Buchman, Lewis R. Foster, Myles Connolly
A naive youth leader is appointed to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate. His idealistic plans promptly collide with corruption at home and subterfuge from his hero in Washington, but he tries to forge ahead despite attacks on his character.
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Cast & crew
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James StewartJefferson Smith
Jean ArthurSaunders
Claude RainsSenator Joseph Harrison Paine
Edward ArnoldJim Taylor
Guy KibbeeGovernor Hubert 'Happy' Hopper
Thomas MitchellDiz Moore
Eugene PalletteChick McGann
Beulah BondiMa Smith
H.B. WarnerSenator Agnew - Majority Leader
Harry CareyPresident of the Senate
Astrid AllwynSusan Paine
Ruth DonnellyMrs. HopperVideos
See all ›Awards · 1 wins, 10 nominations
See all ›- WinnerAcademy Awards, USA 1940Oscar · Best Writing, Original Story
- NomineeAcademy Awards, USA 1940Oscar · Best Writing, Screenplay
- NomineeAcademy Awards, USA 1940Oscar · Best Film Editing
- NomineeAcademy Awards, USA 1940Oscar · Best Sound, Recording
- NomineeAcademy Awards, USA 1940Oscar · Best Art Direction
Reviews
C
Clyde_FryeFebruary 17, 2025
Clyde_FryeFebruary 17, 2025The film’s biggest criticism often lies in its overly idealistic conclusion. Smith collapses from exhaustion, and Senator Paine, overcome with guilt, dramatically confesses his corruption in front of the entire chamber. This resolution is frequently dismissed as naïve, yet it also exemplifies Capra’s signature brand of idealism—an almost dreamlike vision that defines his narrative style.
C
Christa_WrightFebruary 14, 2025
Christa_WrightFebruary 14, 2025Though the film is drenched in ideology and virtue signals, its storytelling and performances do remain compelling. The detailed expressions and nuanced gestures of the characters make it easy to momentarily forget the political backdrop and instead become fully immersed in its stirring romance and the protagonist’s unwavering resolve.
D
Dan_NorrisFebruary 27, 2025
Dan_NorrisFebruary 27, 2025A maior crítica do filme geralmente está em sua conclusão excessivamente idealista. Smith desmaia de exaustão e o senador Paine, tomado pela culpa, confessa dramaticamente sua corrupção na frente de toda a câmara. Essa resolução é frequentemente descartada como ingênua, mas também exemplifica o idealismo característico de Capra — uma visão quase onírica que define seu estilo narrativo.
A
Andres_GayFebruary 25, 2025
Andres_GayFebruary 25, 2025La crítica más grande de la película suele estar en su conclusión excesivamente idealista. Smith colapsa de agotamiento, y el senador Paine, abrumado por la culpa, confiesa dramáticamente su corrupción frente a toda la cámara. Esta resolución es frecuentemente descartada como ingenua, sin embargo, también ejemplifica la marca característica de idealismo de Capra—una visión casi onírica que define su estilo narrativo.
C
Carolina_LewisFebruary 24, 2025
Carolina_LewisFebruary 24, 2025Embora o filme esteja encharcado de ideologia e sinais de virtude, sua narrativa e suas atuações permanecem atraentes. As expressões detalhadas e os gestos cheios de nuances dos personagens fazem com que seja fácil esquecer momentaneamente o pano de fundo político e, em vez disso, mergulhar em seu romance emocionante e na determinação inabalável do protagonista.
A
Austin_PerezFebruary 24, 2025
Austin_PerezFebruary 24, 2025Aunque la película está empapada en ideología y señales de virtud, su narración y actuaciones siguen siendo cautivadoras. Las expresiones detalladas y los gestos matizados de los personajes hacen fácil olvidar momentáneamente el trasfondo político y sumergirse completamente en su conmovedor romance y en la resolución inquebrantable del protagonista.






















