Directed by Colin Dean, who also wrote and directed Melbourne Wedding Belle, Capacity Smith is one of Film Australia's most successful fiction films. Proving the theory -there are no good stories, just good films -Capacity was made to promote scientific methods in dairy farm management. A stubborn old-fashioned farmer is able to modernise his farm and confound his neighbour with scientific jargon, which he learns from his son who has attended Hawkesbury Agricultural college.

Colin Dean's direction is witty and the editing demonstrates how to use music to the best advantage. Dean trained at the British Crown Film Unit, worked at the Films Division before working with the ABC directing the first Australian historical TV series Stormy Petrel and its sequels.