maybe greatest scene ever?

I can only agree that scene is among the most powerful I have ever seen. Stewart did a wonderful job and it's so sad, when the telegraphs are brought in. He's truly a man fighting for his ideas and it's a great scene for a climax to the film, testing how long he can stand on to what he believe in.

That scene moves me so much everytime I see it, simply amazing!!!!!

"To days to come. All my love to long ago"

The scene when Smith visits the monuments when he first arrives in Washington was even more moving for me. I don't know when I've ever felt prouder to be an American than when watching that scene.

the filibuster scene however, is also great

I rank Jimmy's filibuster scene as the greatest job by an actor in a single scene, along with Broderick Crawford"s "hicks" speech in "All the Kings Men," George C. Scott in the opening scene of "Patton," Gregory Peck in "To Kill a Mockingbird," Cagney flipping out in "White Heat," and Jimmy again in the final scene of ""It's A Wonderful Life." I just saw "Mr. Smith" again yesterday for the first time in years, and sat there totally STUNNED at Stewart's performance in the filibuster scene. A lot of the credit must be given to the director, Frank Capra who could get the best out of ANY actor, and especially Jimmy. He also directed him in "It's A Wonderful Life," again, to fabulous results.

Absolutely! I watched this movie, once again, on TCM. I've seen it from beginning to end around five times. With each viewing, this movie grows and grows on me.

In particular, the scene you refer to, is an incredibly moving scene. Jimmy Stewart can carry off a scene like that and that makes him one of our all-time greatest actors, but the movie also had relevancy during that time, when backroom deals were more common place. The "Taylors" of the world were more prevalent back then.

That isn't to say things like that don't still persist in some shape or form (Political Action Committees and Special Interest Groups). However, I think the reason that scene, in which Jefferson Smith had exhausted all hope of shining the light on the truth, still has relevency is because of our notion, perceived or otherwise, that corruption still persists in government.

We hope that that our elected officials have the type of integrity and courage, like Jefferson Smith, to stand up for what we believe in.

It's a great scene and I can't help but tear up when I view it.

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It is an absolutely sensational scene. The final speech he gives to Claude Rains is so heartbreaking and powerful. He is literally on his last legs and using his last breath, almost totally defeated, making this final impassioned plea to the man whom he knows is the only one that can save him.

Jimmy Stewart was beyond incredible, this was probably his finest hour as an actor. I could feel his pain, his devastation and how his spirit, although severly weakened has not yet broken.

And then, comes the ending, his vindication, and the feeling of joy is utterly immense.

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I agree with the OP -- possibly the greatest job by an actor in a single scene.

Absolutely stunning, and riveting.
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