Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown December 4, 2024

Returning to 4K UHD again is director Frank Capra's 1939 classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, which features a career-defining performance from Jimmy Stewart. The 4K presentation was previously exclusive to the studio's Columbia Classics Collection boxed set, but rightfully builds a new home in the Frank Capra at Columbia Collection. Its 2160p/HDR video presentation and two-channel lossless mono audio track have been ported over. (No complaints here.) The disc also features new supplemental content, along with several previously released extras from 2014.

When a senator suddenly passes away, his state governor is pressured by corrupt print media mogul Jim Taylor (Edward Arnold), who already has a grip on the state's remaining senator, Joseph Paine (Claude Rains), to pick another man in Taylor's pocket. Fortunately, public backlash forces the governor to reconsider. But it's the governor's children who win the day, begging their father to choose the politically inexperienced head of their "Boy Rangers" outfit, Jefferson Smith (James Stewart), as the late senator's replacement. A proud American and a man who loves the system and the nation's history, Smith -- a man with no political aspirations and a fear of public speaking, not to mention zero definable agenda -- is thrust into the vacancy. It becomes the talk of Washington, though none of it sits well with Smith's new, long-established colleagues.

Smith arrives with naivete and enthusiasm, eager to tour Washington D.C. and discover all it holds. But his senatorial career doesn't exactly launch without a hitch and he soon finds himself depicted as a cartoonish outsider with no ambition; an amusing distraction at best in a town where corruption seems rampant. Smith, in turn, begins to champion the only thing he knows, the Boy Rangers and the molding of young minds, and makes it the centerpiece of his would-be signature legislation. By complete happenstance, his dreams come into direct conflict with a group of corrupt politicians and businessmen. Without warning, Smith finds himself stumbling head long into a scandal that threatens his reputation. Instead of retreating, though, he decides to stand tall. With the help of his secretary, Saunders (Jean Arthur), he puts his foot down and shows precisely who he really is to anyone who hears what he has to say... whether they want to or not.

Click here to read Martin Liebman's review of the film, which he calls, "timelessly brilliant -- unfortunately so, in a way, considering that the system hasn't improved a lick in 75 years -- but the movie is at least a delight to watch, one of the true treasures of the cinema medium."

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The 4K presentation of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is, in a single word, immaculate. Easily one of the best 4K restorations, remasters and transfers from the era, the film has never looked better. Black levels are rich and natural, gray tones are smooth and beautifully resolved, bright whites are contrasted perfectly, and the entire production captures every nuance Capra and his team brought to the screen. Grain levels are filmic and consistent too, with an unobtrusive veneer that doesn't interfere or appear artificial in any way. Detail is exceptional. Edges are crisp and clean, fine textures have been lovingly preserved, delineation is spot on, and each hair, fabric texture and architectural subtlety is unimpeded. Add to that a complete lack of blocking, banding or any other encoding abnormality and you have a transfer worthy of the film's status and legacy. A true classic in every sense of the word is presented with all the TLC due its name. I literally have zero complaints. I actually don't even have anything to nitpick, which is rare!

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

It's difficult sometimes to discern the full quality of a mono audio presentation, and the differences between a decent and remarkable mix can be miniscule and seemingly trivial. But there's no mistaking quality here. Sony's DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono presentation sounds as good as it possibly could. Dialogue almost strikes as having been recorded yesterday instead of 80 years ago. Prioritization retains its original tone and tenor yet sounds wholly revitalized and flawless. Music and other elements pierce through magnificently without a hitch, and never overwhelm or overpower the soundscape. The only "issue" of any note is a slight hiss at times, but it hardly registers, much less hurts the proceedings.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

New to the 4K UltraHD included in the Frank Capra at Columbia Collection is a freshly recorded Audio Commentary with film historian Julie Kirgo and a 2-minute, standard definition Vintage Advertising Gallery. (Neither of these new extras were included on the 4K edition bundled with the Columbia Classics: Volume 1 box set. They are exclusive to this 20-film, 28-disc release.) The Blu-ray disc included here offers all of the film's previously available supplemental bonus features, among them:

• Audio Commentary with Frank Capra, Jr.
• Frank Capra's American Dream documentary
• Frank Capra Jr. Remembers Mr. Smith Goes to Washington featurette
• Conversations with Frank Capra, Jr.: The Golden Years
• Frank Capra: Collaboration
• Conversations with Frank Capra Jr.: A Family History
• The Frank Capra I Knew featurette
• Theatrical Trailer
• International Trailer

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Capra films don't get much better than Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (other than perhaps It's a Wonderful Life). A true classic in every sense of the word -- and unfortunately far, far too timely, it tackles corruption in Washington with disarming abandon, sharp story and script, and unforgettable performances, particularly from Stewart. If you've never seen it, nab a copy post haste, especially if it's Sony's gorgeous 4K release. With a stunning video presentation, excellent lossless audio, and a host of extras, this is the definitive edition of the film.