Mr. Smith Goes To Washington was released on Blu-ray on December 2 in a deluxe 75th Anniversary Digibook edition.
“Half of official Washington is here to see democracy’s finest show, the filibuster. The right to talk your head off, the American privilege of free speech in its most dramatic form. The least man in that chamber, once he gets and holds that floor by the rules, can hold it and talk as long as he can stand on his feet providing always, first, that he does not sit down, second, that he does not leave the chamber or stop talking. The galleries are packed. In the diplomatic gallery are the envoys of two dictator powers. They have come here to see what they can’t see at home. Democracy in action.”
When I was about 12 or so, no doubt bored of having watched Home Alone and Swiss Family Robinson many times over, I ventured out of our kid movies and popped in a recordable VHS tape with the words “Wonderful Life” scrawled on the label in my Dad’s familiar handwriting. That was my first experience with the film, a poor quality VHS tape recorded from a TV broadcast. The first few minutes were missing, rendering some of it difficult to understand. None of this mattered. I sat mesmerized by the childhood dreams, teenage romance, adult struggles, and eventual victory of George Bailey. Whatever my expectation was when I started that film, it certainly wasn’t to cry through a good part of it. I was aware, probably for the first time, that I saw myself in a film’s protagonist. I didn’t know it at the time, but that was one of the major milestones in my film journey.
I learned the name “Jimmy Stewart”, and later watched Mr. Smith Goes To Washington and was taken by that film as well. He was the lone, stalwart, honest man standing up against a tide of corruption.
Years later when I was first developing a serious interest in film, I recall asking my Dad who his favorite director was. After a moment’s pause he said, “Frank Capra”. I didn’t know the name, but after pairing it with It’s A Wonderful Life and Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, I understood.
The Frank Capra that I knew wasn’t the happy-go-lucky fluff that people seem content to affix to his legend. There is a brooding darkness to these films, a window into the soul. These were warped, frustrated young men, in both cases brilliantly played by James Stewart. Men of great character but also real; depleted of their childlike enthusiasm and filled instead with sadness, resentment, and righteous fury.
When a corrupt senator dies, his pals scramble to find a replacement — someone patriotic enough to win public opinion, and green enough to be their stooge. They seem to find such a man in Jefferson Smith. Idealistic and naive, the guy is a boy scout — literally the head of the Boy Rangers organization. He doesn’t realize his new political allies are actually engineering a project designed to swindle the government in a land sale for their own personal profit.
Smith is all gollies and gee whizzes as he explores the capital; wearing his love for his country on his sleeve. His candor is taken for an act by most of the jaded Washington crowd, including his new secretary Saunders (Jean Arthur), and members of the press who viciously attack him even before he’s sworn into the Senate.
After suffering a certain amount of abuse and ridicule, Jeff finally wins the trust of Saunders, who gets him wise to the scam being put on by his cronies. But before he can blow the whistle, they turn the tables on him, framing him for the whole setup.
There begins the film’s most celebrated act. Unable to prove his innocence, and with no allies in the Senate, Jeff goes on a one-man filibuster to face his accusers and regain his honor. Having brought his hero to a place of desperation, Capra now allows audience to be instilled with inspiration.
75 years later, the film’s themes about the press, political corruption, accountability, and democracy still resonate with truth. The film’s not quite as emotionally charged as It’s A Wonderful Life, but it’s full of equal parts rage and hope, and the ending packs a wallop.
The Package
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington was released on Blu-ray on December 2 in a deluxe 75th Anniversary Digibook edition.
The book portion is 26 thick, glossy pages (ignoring covers), mostly full of pictures and principal filmographies. However the real highlight is a 10-page essay by Jeremy Arnold about the film’s creation and history, including its fascinating genesis as a sequel to Mr. Deeds Goes To Town, and how the film invoked the the enmity of the Senate at the time. This is complemented by a blurb by Grover Crisp about the film’s new 4K restoration created from multiple sources (the result looks seamless).
Unlike many Digibooks, the back cover is “fully loaded” with disc details in lieu of a separate backer card.
Special Features and Extras
- Commentary by Frank Capra Jr.
- Frank Capra’s American Dream (109:02)
The crown jewel of the bonus content. A feature-length celebration of Frank Capra, hosted by Ron Howard and featuring interviews with many well-known actors and filmmakers. - Theatrical Trailer (1:43)
- International Trailer (3:55)
The balance of the disc’s extras are dated SD content presumably produced for earlier DVD editions. Picture quality on these featurettes is poor; significant combing is evident. But the content within is interesting and highly informative: discussions of Frank Capra’s history, family, and films, mainly as seen through the eyes of his son Frank Capra Jr.
- Conversations With Frank Capra Jr.: “A Family History” (25:56)
- Conversations With Frank Capra Jr.: “The Golden Years” (17:53)
- Frank Capra Jr. Remembers: Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (11:51)
- Frank Capra: Collaboration (19:20)
- The Frank Capra I Knew (13:05)
Simply put, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington is one of the greatest films from one of America’s greatest filmmakers. This handsome and long-awaited Digibook edition Blu-ray is not only recommended, but essential viewing.
A/V Out.
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