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Capra makes the analogy complete by having his protagonist swoon at the end. While Mr. Smith does succeed (his conscience finally awakened by Smith's collapse, Paine attempts suicide while shouting "it's true, it's all true") he does not share in the victory, at least onscreen … the only Capra protagonist to end in such a fashion.

Long recognized as one of the masters of American cinema, Frank Capra was a skilled technician and a gifted writer, a natural conciliator on the set and a brilliant director whose gift of controlled concentration when bringing a film together was unsurpassed.

His greatest attributes, however, were personal. Actors, stagemen, film crews—even fellow directors—felt remarkable affection for him, often speaking of his patience, sense of humor and kindness. One storyboard artist said that she "never worked with a finer human being, in or out of the business." This testimony was echoed by very nearly every person ever to work with Capra in over 40 years of moviemaking.

And his vision of loving God and loving one's neighbor, his desire to encourage us all to take a breath—resist the darkness—and do the same, instilled hope and courage in American hearts during the darkest of days. It does so still today. Watch a Frank Capra movie, and find out for yourself.

Frank Smith is a writer who lives with his wife and two children in Charlottesville, Virginia.

, an occasional feature at Christianity Today Movies, highlights directors who adhere to the Christian faith—sometimes strongly, sometimes loosely, and sometimes somewhere in between. This series will include everyone from biblically-minded evangelicals to directors who may only have a "church background" and perhaps a lapsed faith … but their films are clearly informed by their spiritual history.

© Frank Smith 2006, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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