Customer Reviews

Friendly Persuasion

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There is something mysteriously good in a fine film. Friendly Persuasion, though in some regards modest, definitely rates the title of fine: it makes you reconsider slightly what a film is and who we are. Treating its own conventions by turns wryly and earnestly, it is a real fifties film, with life and gentle sparkle. Its great success resides in its being able to weave the serious and the not-so-serious into one, touching on some simple truths in the process. Wondrously cast, wonderfully scored, handsomely filmed: don't miss it.

I'm a 23 year old guy whom always loved older films. But this one is one of the best, a little bit of everything, Action, Comedy, and Drama. one of the best characters is Samantha the Goose, whom is the mother's pet. The racing seens were always great too. I highly recomend this film for the entire family.

There's been a lot of give and take on this movie, questioning how good it is at representing true Quakers, and rightfully so. But as a member of Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends, I enjoyed it. It is fairly well acted, and full of humor. It also is probably the best one can expect from Hollywood as far as accuracy.

The humor itself is very revealing, often circling around the tendency now, and especially during the Civil War, for Friends to lapse into legalism- such as in issues of dancing, gambling, singing, and racing- in their attempt to truly follow the Spirit and the Word. The movie also accurately represents the wide range of views that Friends had in response to taking up arms in the Civil War (and again in the World Wars), with some choosing to fight and some to nonviolently resist. It brings up the interesting questions of how to respond to one's son who chooses to kill another human, when one wants to honor the child's ability to listen to God.

There are other glimmers of philosophy: the difference between militancy and militarianism, as displayed by one strong-feeling pacifist Quaker at the beginning; some wonderful nonviolent action practiced by Gary Cooper and his wife upon each other. She doesn't want an organ in the house, so sleeps in the barn until he removes it. He responds by putting the organ in the house, and then going to sleep in the barn along side her, coming along with her suffering. The end result is compromise, because of the love shown in strong conviction.

I would have liked to see stronger convictions displayed by the Quakers represented. It does seem that too many of them choose the side of violence and darkness, or do not stick with their convictions. But at least one holds out. And I don't remember another movie I've ever seen where the man is shooting at his enemy, and yet crying at the same time- not from fear of war, but because he loves his enemy so much. The language of "thee" and "thou" was also gramatically inaccurate. A Friends production could have done better, but for Hollywood, it was pretty good. And I liked how, as I left the movie, I felt transported back to another time, when the greeting were still full of First Days and Friends.

I saw this movie about 3 times before realizing how beautiful it was. It was kind of an arranged marriage, and mindless viewings of AMC, where I would slowly get sucked into it. It was a movie that was always on and I never grew tired of it, then I finally figured it was a darned good movie. Even better than good, it was brilliant.

William Wyler created a simple film that carried a great dramatic weight. I realized I had been uncommonly touched. This film is sweet, and its touching, and it's very powerful and at first you don't notice that. I guess if you asked me on the right day I would say it was my favorite film (though I'd probably recant later cause it's not fair to choose).

There's nothing so fantastic about the cinematography or the music or the costumes. It's about decent people with good intentions who get caught up in a bloody Civil War fought by civilized people who are all trying to win and protect their livelihoods. Anthony Perkins is fantastic. The cross he bears in this film is between two things he truly believes in. Nonviolence and protecting his home. Gary Cooper is a rock, though everything about his character is eccentric and funny, until the war affects him, and the rest of his family.

Wyler's direction is impeccable, especially in scenes where the values and morals of the family come into question. When they go to a town fair and are faced with various "vices" (hilarious scene with Maguire desperately trying to keep her wayward family from the anti-Quaker surrounding) and where Joshua (Perkins) is faced with one of the challenges of being a young Quaker man in a violent society, and establishes for us the strength of the family's faith. This scene is repeated throughout the film in different circumstances, getting graver and graver till a climax and a conclusion.

I find this an incredible movie whose simple power and mask of lightness makes a very great story that portrays the diverse people of the Civil War, I guess all of us, and their sorrows, triumphs, and lives.

Gary Cooper shines as a Quaker alongside a resolute and opinionated Dorothy McGuire as his "congregation elder" wife. They live in the rural "North" at the outbreak of the Civil War, raising 2 eligible teenagers (a boy and a girl), as well as a 10 year old boy. The emminent Civil War has the Quaker community divided on the issue of pacivism. Several "older men" in the congregation quickly turn coats, urging Cooper to join them in fighting the Rebels who plunder and burn Northern villages and kill women and children. When put to the true test, it is Cooper who proves to be the "true Christian". -- A love story between the teenage girl and her soldier suiter is a beautiful bonus. The entire cast is excellent, and the timeless theme song by Pat Boone puts the icing on the cake. This is a 5-star classic. You'll want to watch "Friendly Persuasion" again and again.

Friendly Persuasion is another of those "they don't make them like they used to" films. Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire star as the parents of a Quaker family who find their traditional beliefs and way of life being challenged during the American Civil War. A simple trip to the County Fair exposes the family to dancing, gambling, music, and violence, all things their religion does not support. The ultimate test to their traditions arises when the need to defend their homestead from Confederate raiders forces some difficult personal decisions, especially for their son, well played by a young Anthony Perkins. In a violent world, it's very difficult to avoid conflict and violence, a message we understand even more clearly today. The film presents their challenges simply, honestly, and with much humour (the goose is a riot). Cooper and especially McGuire excel in their characterizations, as does Robert Middleton as Cooper's Methodist friend. This is an excellent family film.

Friendly Persuasion is such a nice movie with Gary Cooper. The family are Quakers but Cooper has a little bit of devilment in him, you'll just love him.The pet goose Samantha is always up to her nonsense with the young boy. The civil war is drawing close and the men in the family are having difficulties deciding what to do as the Quakers don't believe in war.(Just imagine a world without war, wow)This was Tony Perkins first major role and he did very well, The mother was Dorothy McGuire. The acting,story,& scenery was all good and Coop was excellent as usual.So nice to see a movie that doesn't scream out at you with noise.But it is not boring, a really good movie.

Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire play devoted Quaker parents. Their life revolves around their children, (including Anthony Perkins), their farm, and their religion. The first half of the story shows their idyllic life: they attend church, go to a fair, and, much to Dorothy's horror, Coop buys an organ! (Their make-up scene is the best in the movie.) The second half concerns the encroachment of the Civil War. The family strongly believes in non-violence, but son Perkins feels he must fight on the side of the North. And one day, some low-life soldiers visit the farm...

There is great chemistry between Cooper and McGuire, who seem passionate about each other, as well as their children and lifestyle. Their dialog, with thee's and thou's, is so charming and Coop supplies much humor with his desire to win at horse racing. The script is outstanding, the scenery beautiful, and the theme music is perfect. If you're looking for wholesome entertainment with top stars that still manages to deal with issues of right and wrong, Friendly Persuasion is for you.

I have been watching this movie on t.v. on and off for
the past 20 years. Everytime I have watched it I have
enjoyed it more and especially appreciated the different
role that Gary Cooper brings to life. This is a timeless
family classic with one of Gary Coopers best performances.

This is a lovely movie, beautifully photographed on location (no phony Hollywood sets here). The performances are stellar throughout, but Gary Cooper is outstanding as the family patriarch. Watch him acting, the subtle shifts in gait, his facial expressions and nuances make him the great star that he was. They don't make 'em like Cooper anymore. Anthony Perkins is also excellent as the vacillating Josh Birdwell, the Quaker boy gone off to fight in the Civil War and Dorothy McGwire is quietly effective. There is much humor throughout the movie, you'll laugh our loud many times.

This is a great movie for everyone in the family, adults and children alike. "Wholesome" is an old-fashioned concept, this this movie lives up to that billing.