Overview
An idealistic young man takes on the political machine in a fight for integrity and justice.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- earnest
- warm
- classic movie night
- political film marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an engaging and enduringly relevant political drama, elevated by Frank Capra's accessible direction and James Stewart's performance, despite an idealistic resolution some find naïve.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jefferson Smith's boys' camp proposal brings him into direct conflict with Jim Taylor's political machine and Senator Paine's compromised representation.
Smith uses an extended Senate filibuster to hold the floor and defend his principles when ordinary political channels are manipulated against him.
The politically inexperienced leader of the Boy Rangers is placed in the Senate and gradually confronts Taylor's organized influence.
Washington landmarks, Senate proceedings, and public political performance frame Smith's personal moral struggle as a national civic drama.
Films like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and why
All the King's Men
idealistic protagonist confronting institutional corruption through an accessible blend of political drama and comedy
Advise & Consent
classic american political drama centered on compromised public institutions, ambition, and moral conviction
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
earnest civic idealism, democratic institutions, and a charismatic outsider challenging entrenched power
Meet John Doe
warmly comic capraesque social drama about ordinary people resisting political and economic power
Movie Details
- Director
- Frank Capra
- Release Date
- 1939-10-19
- Runtime
- 130 min
- Rating
- 7.8 / 10 (1235)
Cast
- James Stewart
- Jean Arthur
- Claude Rains
- Edward Arnold
- Guy Kibbee
- Thomas Mitchell
- Eugene Pallette
- Beulah Bondi
- H.B. Warner
- Harry Carey
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington about?
- An earnest youth leader enters the United States Senate and wages a lonely, comic battle to preserve his faith in democracy against a ruthless political machine.
- What is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
- What did critics think of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an engaging and enduringly relevant political drama, elevated by Frank Capra's accessible direction and James Stewart's performance, despite an idealistic resolution some find naïve.
- Which films are like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?
- Films with a similar feel include All the King's Men, Advise & Consent, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and Meet John Doe.
- How long is Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington runs 130 minutes.
- Where can I watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?
- In United States, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
