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Friendly Persuasion 
Actors : Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire, Anthony Perkins, Richard Eyer, Robert Middleton
Director : William Wyler
Studio : Warner Home Video
by Warner Home Video
Brand : Warner Brothers
Release Date : 2000-12-05
Publisher : Warner Home Video
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 0085391669326
UPC : 085391669326
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 87 reviews)
List Price : $19.98
Our Price : $12.84
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Description |
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For two years the Civil War has been elsewhere. Now Confederate forces are nearby, looting and burning. It is time to fight back, Jess Birdwell's neighbors insist. Yet Birdwell, a Quaker, knows there must be a better way to settle things. Year: 1956 Director: William Wyler Starring: Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire |
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Wonderful "Old Coop" |
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I have always loved Gary Cooper and this is my favorite movie of all he made. It is heart warming and a joy to watch over and over. I ordered it for my mom's 88th birthday and she loves it now too. Thanks for having it. |
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Friendly Persuasion |
ESSENTIAL MOVIE!!! This is one of Hollywood's greatest films that has a cast that's superior. Friendly Persuasion isn't a western though it has some of that. The story centers on a Quaker family in southern Indiana at the outbreak of the American Civil War. It's a drama but has many comedic moments throughout.
Jess Birdwell (Gary Cooper) is the center of the story. The laconic Cooper is perfect casting. Though Jess is a Quaker he isn't completely committed to the idea of it. He's practical & realizes that, at times, turning the other cheek doesn't always solve the problem. His wife, Eliza (Dorothy Maguire), is committed to the ways of the Quaker. She's even one of their ministers. Anytime Jess & the family begin to stray she's there to put them back on the narrow path. In a day when the female role in most movies wasn't pivotal, Friendly Persuasion was different. The female lead of Eliza was a crucial element in the film. It was probably Maguire's best role, as it would have been for any actress of that era.
Josh (Anthony Perkins) is the oldest of the Birdwell children. He's the most affected by the war. He gets an opportunity to join in the fighting & is almost killed. The film's statement on war is timeless & should remind us how it affects everyone, even those not directly involved. Mattie (Phyllis Love) is the second oldest child. She's at the age where boys are becoming very interesting. Little Jess (Richard Eyer) is the youngest & steals some of the scenes that he's in. His scenes with the family pet goose are hilarious.
Some of the best scenes involve Jess racing his buggy horse against his neighbor, Sam Jordan (Robert Middleton), every going-to-meeting day. Jess loses every time time but he isn't deterred. In a chance meeting with another family Jess meets Widow Hudspeth (Marjorie Main) & her three man hungry daughters. Josh has gone along & he's constantly harassed by the three daughters. But this encounter leads Jess into trading horses with the Widow Hudspeth. She needs a plow horse which Jess has that isn't a good buggy racer. The Widow has a horse that looks like a nag but is one heck of a buggy racer. Everyone thinks Jess has been taken. But, finally, Jess wins a buggy race against his neighbor.
There's a scene where the family goes to a fair & we see how protected an existence they live. Jess, ever the practical one, is the one that extricates the family out of the events here. If you look closely in the scene where Jess is doing the target shooting you will see a young Robert Fuller in Union uniform near Cooper. He has no lines & the role is uncredited but he's there.
Friendly Persuasion was directed by the great William Wyler. It was nominated for six Academy Awards but didn't win any. That's a shame for it was a deserving film. Those nominations were Best Director (Wyler), Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Anthony Perkins) Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Song & Best Sound.
Some may see this movie as old fashioned but it presents values that we all should have. It addresses questions that plague us in a time of war. Most of all, it presents us with choices that must be made during a time of great duress. Would our beliefs & values stand up when we're presented the choice of compromising some of them? Friendly Persuasion is a film that should be seen by everyone. |
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Friendly Persuasion |
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This is an excellent family movie well worth keeping in the family dvd file for future generations. Friendly Persuasion speaks well to integrity, family commitment and good clean humor. |
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Wholesome entertainment. |
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This movie touches on some very thought provoking issues, but it handles it very well. I like the older movies anyway, and this is a very good one. It mixes serious, thought provoking issues with wonderful family humor preformed by really good actors. |
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"Concientious Conciences" |
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This movie is Gary Cooper at his best--not to minimize the other players because they are all perfect in their parts--you may be a little shocked to see Tony Perkins (Psycho, Tall Story) as Gary's son, but he plays the part well. There is so much humor in this film--a film about rather straight-laced people. One of my favorite scenes is when Gary is "running the buggy" at breakneck speed against the protestations of his wife. This is a little guilty pleasure that he indulges in on a regular basis. The Quaker family is confronted by all sorts of moral questions that challenge their faith. They do the best they can, with dignity and humor. You would not be disappointed in this movie. It is one you can watch over and over again. |
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