Friendly Persuasion (1956 Film)

Categories: Entertainment | Movies | Classic Films Pre 1960 | Drama Movies

  • Friendly Persuasion is a Western written by Michael Wilson and directed by William Wyler. It is based on a novel written by Jessamyn West and was released on November 25, 1956. The movie stars Gary Cooper as Jess Birdwell, the father of an Indiana Quaker family during the Civil War. Birdwell's son Josh, played by Anthony Perkins, joins the military and proves his courage despite the chagrins from his mother. Friendly Persuasion received six Oscar nominations at the 1957 Academy Awards.

  • Plot Synopsis

    Friendly Persuasion tells the story of the Birdwells, a southern Indiana Quaker family during the Civil War. The head of the family, Jess Birdwell is played by Gary Cooper. His wife Eliza is played by Dorothy McGuire and their son Jess is played by Anthony Perkins. Jess enters the military by joining the Home Guard to protect his family, even though he hates violence. Richard Eyer plays the Birdwell's youngest child, Little Jess. Phyllis Love plays the Birdwell's daughter, who falls in love with an officer in the cavalry. Throughout the film, the Birdwell's struggle with the idea of being Christian and involved in the violence of the war.

  • Cast

  • Reviews

    "In Wyler's Civil War drama, Gary Cooper's most popular film of the 1950s, the star plays his quinessential role, a pacifist family man who needs to probe his inner soul before taking action and using physical violence." —Emmanuel Levy, EmmanuelLevy.comhttp://www.emanuellevy.com/search/details.cfm?id=8691

    "Warm, gently satiric portrait of a family of the "Friendly persuasion" living in the shadow of the Civil War… does justice neither to Quakerism nor to just-war theory, but its warm affection for its subjects makes it worthwhile viewing."'—Steven D. Greydanus, Decent Films Guide http://www.decentfilms.com/sections/reviews/1981

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