Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

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Summary: The Most Important Post-Democracy Film in America
Review: Frank Capra's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, denounced as naive and slanderous when it appeared in 1939, has proven to be one of the most accomplished pieces of political propaganda in cinematic history, rivaling - nay, surpassing - Eisenstein's Potemkin and Riefenstahl's Triumph des Willens as an attempt to render the political operations of mass society visible and sympathetic on the screen. The film contrasts two sorts of cynicism, an aggressive self-interest (Taylor) and a disillusioned nihilism (Paine, Saunders), and through the exaggeration of Stewart's pure reflection of a pseudo-democratic authoritarian ideology, unveils the first as unredeemable and the second redeemable. What makes the film so striking and durable, is the absence of any mention of voting in it. Rather, opinion polling, back-room deals, and opaque parliamentary procedures constitute a government in effect divorced from popular control. The slightly hysterical investment in American symbols, and their anchoring in immature emotional perspectives (Boy's Stuff), suggests how difficult it is to legitimate bureaucratic American oligarchy in traditional Enlightenment terms. This is not a criticism. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is arguably the founding document of post-democratic American ideology: America cannot be understood without this film. Overwhelming!

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Summary: this is truly a classic movie
Review: what can you say about Mr.Smith goes to Washington,based on the nove the Gentleman from montana,a movie of epic porportions, truly an americian classic.

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Summary: Mr. Stewart captures perfectly the idealism of the age.
Review: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is one of those rare films that can be watched over and over again. Mr. Stewart wears his heart on his sleeve in this film, making it a "must see" proposition for any viewer!

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Summary: One of James Stewarts' best
Review: Mr Smith goes with his eyes wide open.With the best of hopes to do big things.He finds that things are not what he expected.Should he keep going or should he give up?He decides to fight.He goes to the limits for what he believse.Knowone thought that he could make it to the end.

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Summary: My Favorite Movie of All Time
Review: This is Stewart at his finest! In these days of "rotton political corruption" this movie is a breath of fresh air, a ray of hope, and a comical, romantic one at that. Would that our current distinguished senators all had values like these.

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Summary: This is a Civics version of "It's A Wonderful Life."
Review: With this magnificent film, hokey moments and all(come on, this is Capra right?)comes a film in which James Stewart does battle with corruption...and wins!! A lot of fun to watch, and a very happy ending. Who could ask for more?

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Summary: THE LAST "CONSERVATIVE" MOVIE?
Review: In 1939, Frank Capra made "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", starring Jimmy Stewart. I have sources that tell me a film was made 10 years later that depicted the Republican as a good guy, but I could not verify it. To the best of my knowledge, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" is the last big screen film in which the Democrat was the bad guy, and even then it is only inferred. In Capra's classic, a Midwestern political machine based on the corrupt Democrat organization in Kansas City that Harry Truman rose to power in, is exposed by an idealistic young Senator (Stewart). Claude Rains plays the Truman character. He looked just like him, and in end gives a Senate floor mea culpa of his complicity with Democrat crimes, which is highly, precisely and to quintessential effect the same one "Give 'em hell Harry" should have given, but never did. All is not lost for the Democrats, however, because Stewart is still a Democrat, and the hope for the future. In reality, the Democrats just got more corrupt, and Hollywood would be their willing ally.

STEVEN TRAVERS
Author of "Barry Bonds: Baseball's Superman"
[e-mail]

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Summary: An All-American Film
Review: This movie is perfect for July 4th..in fact, I watched this movie for the first time on this day! If you want to see how a bill is passed, what the Senate consist of in the government, how people in politics are after, great monuments like the Capitol and Lincoln, and a great storyline, this is the movie for you.
Jimmy Stewart played Jeff Smith, a Boy Scout ranger who loves America, was picked as a Senator. His honesty and rookie nature made him a ruse for the experienced Senators who are out to get him and throw him out of office with their lies. Meanwhile, he did find a friend who went with him all the way...his secretary, Clarissa (who falls in love with him). You will have to find out the rest of the movie what happens when people found out that Smith was telling the truth all along, and the bad guys.
This is a great movie!! Go watch it!

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Summary: Jimmy Stewart for Governor!
Review: When Jack Warner heard that Reagan was running for Gov. He said, "No, Jimmy Stewart for governor; Ronald Reagan for best friend." Jimmy Stewart of course was a class A actor who made it to the class A movies. This is his second time working with Frank Capra.
I make a point to watch this movie every 4th of July. It brings out both cynic and the romantic in me. With strong acting, it makes it a us versus them situation. You find yourself rooting for Jefferson. The final part is worth every nickel. No, it wasn't good acting that made that hoarse voice, Jimmy went to a doctor who put some mercury in his throat!
Not a whole lot of extra features. Its a shame that Jimmy Stewart couldn't have lived a few more years to give a audio commentary. Nethertheless, Frank Capra Jr, gives some insights.
Watch for "It's A Wonderful Life" character: Mr. Gower as the Maj. Leader, Uncle Billy as a reporter, and Ma Baily as Ma Jefferson! Claude Rains play the perfect noble villian, an idealist who lost his ideas. Did you know that this film infuriated Congress and the Press, and that companies tried to buy the rights to destroy this classic? Find out why and watch it.

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Summary: Fanfare for the Common Man
Review: This movie is a well thought out yet simple masterpiece. It is inspiring and entertaining as well as comical. A young Jimmy Stewart shines in his perfectly cast role, Jefferson Smith.
This is a story about a common man with uncommon valor. As his last name would suggest, he is a common man, but his first name suggests that he is more than the common man.
This is a great film for the whole family and I would heartily reccommend it to anyone.