Memorable, crazy movie

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Friendly Persuasion (1956) A look at Quakers, How to be peaceful in war? Funny with serious, Goose, organ, racing horses, Fall in love with the Birdwells. One could forgive the Grating "thee" and "thou" plain speech, But film undermined By anticlimactic end, Postwar fairytale ending. (Somonka is a form of poetry that is essentially two tanka poems, the second stanza a response to the first. Each stanza follows a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable pattern. Traditionally, each is a love letter. This form usually demands two authors, but it is possible to have a poet take on two personas. My somonka will be a love/hate letter to a film?) #Somonka #PoemReview

There are generally two kinds of movies regarding war, those that glorify it, and those that condemn it. Rarely, though, are there ones that bridge that perilous divide with such elegance, insight, and charm. This is due in part to the casting, with an impeccable Gary Cooper, and an equally accomplished co-star in Anthony Perkins. But every great film requires a great man at the helm and who could compare with Billy Wilder, a true American treasure. This movie also stands as a emotional look at the war between the states, what we call the Civil War. Many families and communities were torn apart by that war, and although we hear about those travails in books, capturing it on film is an entirely different story. This film does it so well. In today's films, featuring bloodshed and violence on a scale unheard of when this film was produced, watching it again as a 65-year old man still brought tears to my eyes. It was truly a gentler, "sweeter" time then, which this movie captures so well. Although there is a modicum of violence in this film, it only serves the plot... of the utter senselessness of war.

In 1862, in Southern Indiana, the Quakers Jess Birdwell (Gary Cooper), his wife and Minister Eliza (Dorothy McGuire), their teenage son Joshua (Anthony Perkins), their teenage daughter Mattie (Phyllis Love) and their young son Little Jess (Richard Eyer) live a peaceful life in their farm. Eliza opposes to the war and they follow the stringent principles of their religious sect. But when the rebel Southern troops threaten the Birdwell family and their friends and neighbors, Josh decides to go to the front to defend their lands and Jess has to take a position against the principles of the Quakers."Friendly Persuasion" is another masterpiece of William Wyler that tells the story of a Quaker family in Southern Indiana that is forced to fight to defend their lands. William Wyler makes a sensitive film and the story is never melodramatic or corny, having the right doses of humor, love and violence. The performances are outstanding and the forty year- old Dorothy McGuire is extremely beautiful in a strong role. The debut of Anthony Perkins in a feature could not be better. The smart goose Samantha is responsible for the most hilarious scenes. My vote is nine.Title (Brazil): Not available on DVD or Blu-Ray

Friendly Persuasion is directed by William Wyler, is based on the novel by Jessamyn West and stars Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire and Anthony Perkins.The film takes a hard hitting look at violence and ways to avoid it.Should we all learn to love each other and not resort to violence or is violence the only answer in certain situations?Southern Indiana 1862.A peaceful Quaker family farm their lands and struggle with the knowledge that soldiers fighting in the Civil War are heading towards them.Farmer Jess Birdwell(Gary Cooper)his wife Eliza(Dorothy McGuire),eldest son Josh(Anthony Perkins),daughter Mattie(Phyllis Love)and youngest son Little Jess(Richard Eyer)must choose between being passive and hoping for peace,or violence to bring about peace.Dimitri Tiomkin's score is sweeping and fitting,and singer Pat Boone performs the title song Friendly Persuasion(Thee I Love).Cooper who is best known for his cowboy roles is completely convincing as the gentle Jess.There's fine support from Robert Middleton as Sam Jordan, a friend of Jess who takes great delight in challenging him to a horse race on the way to church.Also Joe Fluellen is excellent as Enoch the family farm hand.