FRIENDLY PERSUASION - 1956
RATED - NR but likely PG for some adult themes. VERY family friendly. Some minor war violence.
RATINGS - 63 Amazon (5/5), 1,594 IMBD (7.5/10)
STARRING - Gary Cooper & Dorothy McGuire
AWARDS - 6 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture & Best Music. Other awards and nominations.
THEMES - The Civil War, pacifism, forgiveness, Quakers, family.
STORY - FRIENDLY PERSUASION (1956-NR) was nominated for 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture. Starring Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire as Jess & Eliza Birdwell, Quakers living in Southern Indiana during the Civil War. Pacifists according to their Quaker beliefs, they have avoided participating in the Civil War but now the war is infringing on their homes and they must decide whether or not to defend themselves. The tension among the family heightens when their son (played by Anthony Perkins in the role that would make him a star) decides he must take up arms to defend their community. While the film is about a serious, philosophical subject, it is filled with humor and romance. This film is the definition of FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT. The music is great and the characters are portrayed as very human, not too harshly or too lightly. Gary Cooper is great as the straight-laced Quaker father who has a streak of 'worldliness' that keeps coming out-especially on the way to the meeting house (church) when a fellow neighbor Methodist causes a case of 'road rage' between their horse and buggies. Dorothy McGuire is the mother who is also the minister of their Quaker meeting house and takes pacifism as well as straight living very seriously. You almost believe she's as good as she appears until one of the Confederate soldiers attempts to take her pet goose. A long time classic you will be entertained and challenged to think watching this film. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11/15/2007
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment