The story of an idealistic young senator who naively takes on Washington corruption, MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939) is a beloved film that appears on four of AFI’s lists of the greatest American films – on both the original and 10th anniversary editions as well as among the art form’s most inspiring stories – with Jimmy Stewart’s character, Jefferson Smith, was named one of cinema’s most inspiring screen heroes by AFI. Stewart was also honored with an AFI Life Achievement Award in 1980, and two years later, director Frank Capra received his own AFI Life Achievement Award.
Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON.
