| Mr. Smith Goes to Washington | 
 enlarge | Director: Frank Capra
Actors: Jean Arthur, James Stewart, Claude Rains, Edward Arnold, Guy Kibbee
Studio: Sony Pictures
Category: DVD
Buy New: $45.00
Buy New/Used from $39.97
Avg. Customer Rating:   (114 reviews)
Sales Rank: 8549
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Georgian (Subtitled), Thai (Subtitled), Portuguese (Dubbed)
Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD
Running Time: 129 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: Academy Ratio
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: D27969D
ISBN: 0767828011
UPC: 043396279698
EAN: 9780767828017
ASIN: B00003L9CJ
Release Date: February 22, 2000
Theatrical Release Date: October 19, 1939
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
Political heavyweights decide that Jefferson Smith (James Stewart), an obscure scoutmaster in a small town, would be the perfect dupe to fill a vacant U.S. Senate chair. Surely this naive bumpkin can be easily controlled by the senior senator (Claude Rains) from his state, a respectable and corrupted career politician. Director Frank Capra fills the movie with Smith's wide-eyed wonder at the glories of Washington, all of which ring false for his cynical secretary (Jean Arthur), who doesn't believe for a minute this rube could be for real. But he is. Capra was repeating the formula of a previous film, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, but this one is even sharper; Stewart and Arthur are brilliant, and the former cowboy star Harry Carey lends a warm presence to the role of the vice president. Bright, funny, and beautifully paced, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is Capra's ode to the power of innocence--an idea so potent that present-day audiences may find themselves wishing for a new Mr. Smith in Congress. The 1939 Congress was none too thrilled about the film's depiction of their august body, denouncing it as a caricature; but even today, Capra's jibes about vested interests and political machines look as accurate as ever. --Robert Horton
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| Customer Reviews: Read 109 more reviews...
Classic Movie. Timeless Message About Honor & Integrity in A Corrupt Society. November 19, 2008
Frank Capra's classic "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" was originally intended as a sequel to "Mr. Deeds Goes To Town." Unfortunately, Gary Cooper was unavailable. Capra then opted to make a movie about Frederic Chopin, but the studio protested, saying it would be too expensive. The rest is history. The messages in this excellent motion picture about honor and integrity in a corrupt society and asking for God's guidance in a troubled time ring truer now than at any other moment in history. James Stewart gives another career-defining performance as a young Boy Ranger leader unwittingly thrust into the political machine of Washington, D.C. Shame that the movie ended abruptly as it did. Excellent performances by everyone, especially Mr. Stewart, Jean Arthur, Thomas Mitchell (who appeared in no less than 3 movies in 1939) and Claude Rains as the manipulative Joseph Paine. Well-done script and excellent production values. The film is Not Rated.
We need another Mr. Smith November 17, 2008
***spoilers***
I can see why the congress at the time this movie was made tended to sneer at the portrayal of them in this movie. Nearly everyone is corrupt, magalomaniacal, and more interested in personal glory than what's best for the country. They cow-tow to the special interests, the press, who in this movie is the same person.
It's a little surprising to see factors back then still having a relevance, such as a more and more monolithic press that is less and less capable of good, objective journalism. I found the scam with the needless dam amusing, as it feels really tame by today's standards. I think Mr. Smith would have lost his lunch if he had to deal with the 750 billion dollar bailout bill today.
With the press, congress, and his complete inexperience against him, his only recourse is that someone still has conscience enough to stand up and fight with him. Thuis resounds in a spectacular filibuster speech and the redemption of a man long lost to the ways of the system. Strongly recommended.
This is one movie I could watch over and over and over November 4, 2008
I only saw this movie for the very first time this week and I have to say that it is already my most favorite Jimmie Stewart movie. I, too, think that his performance was absolutely stellar. I could see that he had great talent in him early on and he should have won the Oscar. Unfortunately, his youth probably what worked against him. In any event, so much better than in The Philadelphia Story, since I saw the two movies back to back.
This Movie Bleeds, Red, White and Blue October 24, 2008
This movie sends a very strong message to the American people, as not all politicians are corrupted or on the take. It shows the true way how a democracy system should work here in the US. The political statements shown in this movie were attack when the film was released, as people thought of it as anti-American and pro-Communist for its portrayal of corruption in the American government. In my opinion this film shows the faults and positives of our political system. A film like this really can give the viewer of what the true democracy system feels like and shows it only takes the courage of one man to stand up against corruption. Mr. Smith is that man who is not a career politician, just a common man that bleeds red, white and blue. He has an idea that would benefit sociality as it will help kids stay out of trouble and become men. When he finds out about the graft scheme he stands tall and challenges the big political machine Taylor, with out fear like the other members of the hall. This shows the courage of a man standing by his self against the same members of his party. Mr. Smith stands his ground and keeps to his word to ensure that a "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth"
Mr. Smith goes to Washington July 29, 2008
Fasinating insight into political shenanigans involving self serving citizens who buy governmental favors from weak politicians. Money can corrupt elected official who may have been of sound character. Claude Rains portrays a senior senator who has become compromised by a rich campaign donor. Jimmy Stewart is appointed to fill out the term of a recently decease U.S. Senator and becomes caught up in a land deal that threatens a wilderness area within his state. The story focuses on Jimmy Stewart tenacious belief in right and wrong and putting the public's interest first. The tactics that money and power can bring to bare on the untested and naive public servant is shown in all it's ugliness. Jean Arthur's character provides administrative and emotional support to Jimmy Stewart and is a delight to watch. The movie is presented in black and white, which enhances the dramatic events even more clearly to the viewer.
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