... However, it is Smith's honesty, innocence and relationship with his acrimonious and tenacious assistant Saunders (Jean Arthur; Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Only Angels Have Wings) that encourages him to do the right thing and try to prove that one man can make a difference if he tries hard enough.
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In Frank Capra's bright, funny and beautifully paced satireMr Smith Goes to ... more
Washingtonpolitical heavyweights decide that Jefferson Smith (James Stewart), an obscure scoutmaster in a small town, would be the perfect dupe to fill a vacant US Senate chair...
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In Frank Capra's bright, funny and beautifully paced satireMr Smith Goes to ... more
Washingtonpolitical heavyweights decide that Jefferson Smith (James Stewart), an obscure scoutmaster in a small town, would be the perfect dupe to fill a vacant US Senate chair...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
James Stewart Jean Arthur and Claude Rains star in this award-winning 1939 classic about ... more
an idealistic small-town politician who heads to Washington and suddenly finds himself single-handedly battling ruthless politicians out to destroy him.
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James Stewart, Jean Arthur and Claude Rains star in this award-winning 1939 classic about ... more
an idealistic, small-town senator who heads to Washington and suddenly finds himself single-handedly battling ruthless politicians, out to destroy him.
Movie, music and celebrity photographs are perfect for fans looking for a memento of their ... more
favourite film, film star, music icon or celebrity. High quality photography that you can be proud to display in your home cinema/theatre, living room on your office desk or around the home.
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In Frank Capra's bright, funny and beautifully paced satireMr Smith Goes to ... more
Washingtonpolitical heavyweights decide that Jefferson Smith (James Stewart), an obscure scoutmaster in a small town, would be the perfect dupe to fill a vacant US Senate chair. Surely this naïve bumpkin can be easily controlled by the senior senator (Claude Rains) from his state, a respectable yet corrupted career politician. Capra fills the film 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.Mr Smith Goes to Washingtonis 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 the halls of power. The 1939 US 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, Amazon.com
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Advantages: Shows One Man Can Make A Difference Disadvantages: But Only In The Movies
Jefferson Smith (Jimmy Stewart; It's A Wonderful Life, Vertigo) is a regular guy from rural Montana who believes in democracy, liberty and the ideals encapsulated by American politics. After the death of the senator representing his state, he is chosen by the powers that be to go to Washington to replace him. Seen as an innocent, naive and completely under the thumb yet extremely patriotic yokel; the fat cats that have decided his fate feel comfortable ... ...heads to the capital to take his place in the U.S senate, he encounters a world far removed from Abraham Lincoln's vision of government of the people, by the people, for the people. Indeed the cynicism and corruptness of the system and the betrayl by Senator Paine (Claude Rains; Casablanca, Lawrence of Arabia), a close friend of Smith's father, regarding the building of an unneccesary dam, leads him to a jaded state in which he questions the true ... more
Jefferson Smith (Jimmy Stewart; It's A Wonderful Life, Vertigo) is a regular guy from rural Montana who believes in democracy, liberty and the ideals encapsulated by American politics. After the death of the senator representing his state, he is chosen by the powers that be to go to Washington to replace him. Seen as an innocent, naive and completely under the thumb yet extremely patriotic yokel; the fat cats that have decided his fate feel comfortable in using him to do their bidding. As bright-eyed Smith heads to the capital to take his place in the U.S senate, he encounters a world far removed from Abraham Lincoln's vision of government of the people, by the people, for the people. Indeed the cynicism and corruptness of the system and the betrayl by Senator Paine (Claude Rains; Casablanca, Lawrence of Arabia), a close friend of Smith's father, regarding the building of an unneccesary dam, leads him to a jaded state in which he questions the true value of democracy and the integrity of the American way of life, as well as his place in it all. However, it is Smith's honesty, innocence and relationship with his acrimonious and tenacious assistant Saunders (Jean Arthur; Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Only Angels Have Wings) that encourages him to do the right thing and try to prove that one man can make a difference if he tries hard enough.
I found Frank Capra's fairytale-like film to be wholly enjoyable as well as inspirational and informative about American politics; the acting from the main players mentioned above is excellent as well as from the supporting cast; the direction and script aid what is simple yet great storytelling. Stewart is marvelous in his typical role as a down-to-earth man of good moral fibre who stays true to himself and his principles no matter how vile the events or people he encounters. Jean Arthur is also superlative as his love interest, showing great depth and character whilst maintaining the glamour and beauty associated with actresses of the black and white era.
Hard-nosed realists may find this sort of escapism and 'good guy winning through' storyline somewhat disingenuous, but if I wanted realism I could stare out the window for a couple of hours. The greatest shame is that this sort of thing would never happen in real politics, and in real life, corruption and indeed the power of the dollar would always win through, but hey we can always dream.
Recommended for anyone and everyone, including cynics, you never know, maybe you'll have a change of heart.
A naive young head of a chain of boy's clubs is unwittingly set up by unscrupulous politicians and is sent to Washington as a senator.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date
26/02/2001
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
CDR 10381
Barcode
5035822038134
Production Designer
Lionel Banks
Screenwriter
Frank Capra, Sidney Buchman
Composer
Dimitri Tiomkin
Featured
Charles Lane, William Demarest, Jack Carson, Maurice Costello, Pierre Watkin, Ruth Donnelly, Lloyd Whitlock, Ann Doran, Vera Lewis, Russell Simpson, Porter Hall, Grant Mitchell, Alan Bridge, Edmund Cobb, Stanley Andrews, Fredrick Burton, H.B. Warner, Harry Carey, Astrid Allwyn
Dolby Digital Mono English French German Italian Spanish
DVD Description
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).
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