loading loading...

Mr Smith Goes To Washington Details

1939 DVD Certificate U.gif
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 4878 members

Two slimy fat-cat legislators recruit Jefferson Smith, an innocent and staunchly principled Montana scout leader, as the state's new Senator, hoping to exploit his naviete and community pride to bring home pork-barrel funds. Once he ascends to Capitol Hill, however, Mr. Smith finds nothing but deep-rooted corruption in .. Read more

Starring Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold
Director Frank Capra
Genres Drama

Sign up Mr Smith Goes To Washington DVD

Buy From: £3.93

loading loading...

Mr Smith Goes To Washington cover art

Mr Smith Goes To Washington

Two slimy fat-cat legislators recruit Jefferson Smith, an innocent and staunchly principled Montana scout leader, as the state's new Senator, hoping to exploit his naviete and community pride to bring home pork-barrel funds. Once he ascends to Capitol Hill, however, Mr. Smith finds nothing but deep-rooted corruption in Washington, D.C., and, absolutely refusing to submit to cynicism, he tirelessly takes the message of the American people right to their out-of-touch representatives. Based on Lewis R. Foster's novel "The Gentleman From Montana." Academy Award Nominations: 11, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (James Stewart), Best Supporting Actor (Harry Carey). Academy Awards: Best Original Story (Lewis R. Foster).

Starring Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Beulah Bondi, Thomas Mitchell, Guy Kibbee
Director Frank Capra
Studio SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 2 hrs 5 mins
Certificate DVD Certificate U.gif
Genres Drama
Language English
Dubbed French, German, Italian, Spanish
Subtitles Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
Released DVD: 26 Feb 2001
Production year: 1939
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of Mr Smith Goes To Washington

    View all
  • 5 stars out of 5

    This superb discourse on corruption in American politics is one of Hollywood's finest achievements. Director Frank Capra resolutely (and remarkably, for him) keeps sentimentality at bay in this film of Lewis R Foster's Oscar-winning original story (adapted by Sidney Buchman) about an idealistic young senator who finally realises that he is not his own man. Washington hated this movie, but the public flocked to see James Stewart in, arguably, his finest hour. Stewart lost out as best actor to Robert Donat in Goodbye, Mr Chips, but was rewarded with an Oscar the following year, ostensibly for The Philadelphia Story. Few movies are as well cast — the bell-voiced Jean Arthur is wonderful as a super-cynical secretary, and veteran western star Harry Carey provides one of the greatest supporting roles in all cinema as the vice president, his magnificent performance alone a reason for viewing.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 4 stars out of 4

    Archetypal high-flying Capra vehicle, with the little man coming out top as he seldom does in life. Supreme gloss hides the corn, helter-skelter direction keeps one watching, and all concerned give memorable performances. A cinema classic.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Mr Smith Goes To Washington

    View all
  • 10 out of 11 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    brilliant!

    I've just gotten home from seeing the premiere of a new print of 'Mr Smith Goes To Washington' at the London Film Festival.. so in truth, i'm reviewing a brand new restoration of the picture and not the disc you'll be renting. Having said that- the film is still the film, so it's gonna be worth renting.

    Anyway, the restored version looked amazing.. unbelievable to think it comes from 1939. By the way, they will be releasing a DVD version of the new print so for a better experience you may want to wait for that. Anyway!..

    The film itself. Well, what can I say. Truly brilliant on so many levels.

    I never tire of James Stewart; he is iconic of brilliance of cinema, everything there is to love about film can be captured in Jimmy Stewart's performances.. you can't help but be moved by him and the films he is in to the point of wanting to change your life.

    Frank Capra is often cited as a king of corniness and cheese, but I certainly don't feel that with this film. Films are here to entertain and to inform, and 'mr smith' certainly does both. It's a good example of how democracy in America works, and it's political content and subtle humour is just as relative and funny today as it was in '39.

    When watching films like 'Mr Smith' and 'It's a Wonderful' life we really get a sense of what cinema is about.. many of us renters are searching everywhere for hidden gems, but tend to look around hoping for some modern rarity to fill the void in our desires for a superior cinematic experience. However I feel we are more likely to get that from digging into the archives. James Stewart films in particular.

    Yes, his films are uplifting, yes they're cheesy.. but they are EVERYTHING we should want from a film, that offer a fantasical, emotionally and thoroughly heart-warming experience that makes you glad you have ears and eyes.

    In summary, a brilliant film.. a certain must-see. And while you're at it, if you haven't already.. make sure you rent out 'It's A Wonderful Life' and 'Harvey' as well. And if you've already rented them, rent them again.. or buy them. They just get better and better.

    5 out of 5. Brilliant.

    dj152@aol.com

      • Daniel Johnson from london.
      • Posted 25 Oct 2004 02:12

  • Most recent members' review of Mr Smith Goes To Washington

    View all
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    Class Stewart and Capra

    If you really need a film to watch and you can't face 'It's a Wonderful Life' again this is my favourite second best. Another nice story of good triumphing over evil. I remember this film especially fondly because of the Due South episode 'A Few Good Men' which borrowed the story.

      • A customer from Derby
      • Posted 20 Jul 2004 18:29

  • News and features

    View all
    Barack Obama - His Story

    Swing Vote

    • 19 Sep 2008

    US Presidential elections aren’t short of entertainment value, and this latest attempt to wrest satire from the spectacle of vote-grubbing was seen by a tiny fraction of the audience who tuned in for the speeches of Sarah Palin and Barack Obama at their respective party conferences. Which is shame, because it’s nothing if not relevant. Kevin Costner is Bud, the last man on earth you would want to pick as the most powerful man on the planet. But that’s his responsibility after Read more

  • More like this

    View all
    Showing 1 to 4 of 20

    loading

Find cinemas


Rating breakdown

4,878 Member ratings
  • 100
820
  • 90
637
  • 80
1,155
  • 70
876
  • 60
650
  • 50
331
  • 40
147
  • 30
115
  • 20
98
  • 10
49

Related user collection

Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop

    • Mr Smith Goes To Washington

    • Mr Smith Goes To Washington
    • DVD: £3.93
      Free Delivery
    • RRP £19.79 (you save: 80%)
      • Two slimy fat-cat legislators recruit Jefferson Smith, an innocent and staunchly principled Montana scout leader, as the state's new Senator, hoping to exploit his naviete and community pride to ...