AFI 100 Movies, 100 Years: No. 39


Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films.

Jefferson Smith: You see, boys forget what their country means by just reading The Land of the Free in history books. Then they get to be men they forget even more. Liberty's too precious a thing to be buried in books, Miss Saunders. Men should hold it up in front of them every single day of their lives and say: I'm free to think and to speak. My ancestors couldn't, I can, and my children will. Boys ought to grow up remembering that.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
Original List Position: 29
Starring: Jimmy Stewart
Director: Frank Capra
About: It's largely regarded that 1939 was one of the great movie years. This film is part of what made the year great. It follows Stewart as an idealistic man appointed to the Senate where his idealism clashes with the realities of governance. It's probably the kind of move we need to see more today than even the time when it was made. It's one of Stewart's classic performances, and a great addition to the cinematic library from Capra. This isn't the last time these two would work together to create an iconic classic, either! This film ranked No. 29 on the original list, a little higher than where I have it, and went higher still to No. 26 a decade later. I can see why, and I certainly appreciate the scope and story of this film!

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