Synopsis:
Friendly Persuasion tells the story of various
members of a Quaker family, the Birdwells, in 1862 Indiana,
as they face small and large challenges and temptations from
the outside world, which conflict with their traditional Quaker
life style and values. Besides struggling with forbidden fruit
such as organs, dancing, wrestling, horse racing and gambling,
and annoyances like a nasty goose, the Civil War is about to
drop into their front yard, when Confederate soldiers threaten
to ride through the farmland country, looting and burning. Are
they going to join the union soldiers and country people to
fight the enemy, or will they stick to their peace-oriented
values and think of a better way to handle things?
Quote from Jesse, concerning Josh's disturbing
choice: "I'm just his father, Eliza, not his conscience. A man's
life ain't worth a hill of beans except he lives up to his own
conscience."
FRIENDLY PERSUASION is one of the true gems
of the cinema -- a warm and loving film that truly lives up
to the promises of the ads: "It Will Pleasure You In A 100 Ways!".
Review:
The Birdwell Quaker Family, Jess (Gary Cooper),
Eliza (Dorthy McGuire), 18 year old son, Josh (Anthony Perkins),
teen daughter, Mattie (Phyllis Love) and little 12 year old
Jess (Richard Eyer) live on their farm, in a southern Indiana
rural community in 1862. Eliza, being the pastor of the local
Quaker meeting house, is the spiritual glue which holds her
family together in their faith, despite their diversions into
areas which conflict with the Quaker life style. Though people
of any faith have their temptations and struggles while trying
to follow their faith-based life style, Eliza has her hands
full with them all, as she does her best to keep them walking
the talk of the Quaker way of life.
There are several intertwining stories about
the various characters within the main storyline, which weave
together, and merge by the end of the film, all which creates
a poignant, humorous classic tale, that explores family dynamics
within a Quaker family and their relationships to other Quakers
and the outside world. The romance between the Methodist neighbor's
son, Gard Jordan and young Mattie, Josh's inner struggle and
confusion about the difference between cowardice and standing
by a pacifist outlook, Jess's interest in horses and music and
little Jess's difficulties with the nasty family pet, Samantha,
are all situations that need to be worked out in the life of
this family.
Finally, the reality of the Civil War proves
to be the biggest problem to be handled, which they do with
courage, aplomb, love and support. Through it all, they change
and grow to be in a new place, stronger in their beliefs and
at peace to handle their lives.
With the exceptions of the horse racing, the
family's various temptations away from their faith are further
developed in a series of scenes which take place at the county
fair, despite Eliza's plans to steer her family to various activities
and areas of interest which are appropriate for Quakers. Josh
was to check out the rock exhibit, Mattie and little Jesse were
to go shopping with Eliza, beginning with the quilting exhibit,
and Jess was to explore the farming displays.
The best laid plans of mice and Quaker pastors
often go astray. When little Jessie gives his mother the slip,
he finds himself in an eye -level seat to a shell game of where
is the pea? Mattie goes dancing with Sam Jordan's dreamy son,
Gard (Peter Mark Richman), and Josh is drawn to the wrestling
matches, and winds up dumping a mean, sore loser in a rain barrel,
after being accused of being a coward; not exactly stellar behavior
for a Quaker!
Jesse meanwhile, finds himself drawn to a musical
instrument display and is convinced to buy an organ, by salesman
Professor Waldo Quigley (Walter Catlett), which leads to some
problems with his wife, Eliza, and a few squirmy moments. A
favorite scene is when the Quaker Elders come to meet with Eliza,
with the organ in the attic. Jesse becomes quite loquacious
and loud in this group's prayer time, to cover the organ's notes
being played by the unaware Mattie, showing Gard their new purchase!
Another favorite sequence of scenes are the
ones revolving around Jess's interest in winning a horse race
over his smug neighbor and dear friend, Sam. This means that
Jesse needed to have a trotting horse that will win the weekly,
unofficial Sunday race to church he has with his Methodist neighbor,
Sam Jordan (Robert Middleton). Jesse's horse, Red, is a beautiful
trotting horse, but lets Sam Jordan's horse pass him every time,
which leaves the Birdwell family eating Jordan's buggy dust.
Jesse pretends not to have this weekly race, to fool Eliza,
but the audience knows better.
When Jess and Josh go on their yearly trip to
sell seedlings and fruit trees, Jess succumbs to this desire
by trading Red for a mare that won't be passed, much to the
relief of the Widow Hudspeth (Marjorie Main), who now has hope
to find husbands for her aggressive daughters, hungry for male
companionship, which poor Josh experiences.
The most serious problem facing this family
is the coming raid of confederate soldiers, who were sweeping
through southern Indiana (known historically as Morgan's Raid),
who were raiding, looting and burning farms along the way.
The call was made for men to defend the community.
Josh struggles with the thought that maybe he is a coward, afraid
to fight, confusing his pacifist Quaker upbringing with being
someone who lacks courage. When the Confederate raiders close
in on their community, Josh breaks with his religious faith
and joins the defending militia, much to the distress of his
parents.
While Josh goes down to the river crossing with
the other defenders, Jess and Eliza come up with a plan which
spares their farm from being burned, though it is scary and
difficult. After the battle by the river, which the audience
experiences with young Josh, Jesse goes down to pick up the
pieces and take his traumatized son home.
On the way down to the river, Jesse is tempted
himself to harm the bushwacker who killed someone dear to him,
but he hangs onto his faith and follows through on his Quaker
beliefs, which results in a life-changing experience for the
bushwacker. This was a very powerful, poignant sequence of scenes.
Friendly Persuasion is a family classic because
of its wonderful poignant and humorous screenplay, its insightful
direction,dynamite performances by its cast, and inspiring cinematography
/music. It earned 6 Academy award nominations, including Best
Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Song and
won for Best Actress. It holds up very well, even by 2003 standards.
This wonderfully entertaining screenplay was
originally written first draft by Michael Wilson. However, he
was black-balled in the 1950's because of McCarthy's communist
witch hunt. So, both Jessamyn West and Robert Wyler stepped
up to the plate and worked hard on the development and dialogue
of the script, that was finally made into the final version.
However, Michael Wilson, later petitioned to be given credit
for the script, and was given the writing credit by Hollywood
authorities. However, many believe that the credits for the
screenplay probably should read: "Screenplay by Jessamyn West
and Robert Wyler with addition material by Michael Wilson. ("90%
of dialogue written by Jessamyn West and Robert Wyler" - William
Wyler.)
The legendary William Wyler did a masterful
job at directing and producing this well-loved classic film,
earning his Best Director nomination. During his impressive
career as a director and producer, he was nominated for Best
Director 12 times and won Oscars for BEN HUR, THE BEST YEARS
OF OUR LIVES, and MRS. MINIVER. In 1966, he was given Irving
G. Thalberg Memorial Award. Three of his films won Best Picture,
and ten of his other films were nominated. Also, during his
long, successful career, 36 of his actors and actresses, whom
he directed were nominated or won Oscars for their performances.
Dorthy McGuire truly deserved her Best Actress
Oscar for her brilliant portrayal of Eliza Birdwell, Quaker
wife and mother, and Quaker pastor at the same time. Deemed
"one of her best mother parts," probably because Dorthy had
a meaty role with which to work with, which allowed her talent
to shine through beautifully, under the direction of Wyler.
Wyler gave his cast room to apply their skills and ability to
their roles, without micro-managing them and giving them many
takes to do so.
Gary Cooper is at his best in his portrayal
of Quaker Jess Birdwell, an every day, common sense man who
loves his family, loves his wife and holds onto the Quaker faith
to see them all through difficult times ahead, though he bends
the rules once or twice, throughout the storyline, adding fine
moments of comedy.
Anthony Perkins, who was nominated for Best
Supporting Actor, gives a fine performance as the eldest son,
Josh, a serious young man struggling with who he is and the
meaning of his Quaker faith in the face of war. Is he a committed
Quaker who believes in peaceful solutions, or is he a coward,
afraid of fighting, as others in the outside community insist?
The rest of the cast provides convincing supporting
performances which add much to the ensemble efforts to bring
the whole story to life.
Music master, Dimitri Tiomkin, a composer with
a long, honored career (15 nominations and 3 Oscars) of creating
film musical scores, doesn't disappoint with his original musical
score which adds so much to the story. The main theme song,
"Thee I love," and variations of this lovely melody gives the
storyline fine support.
While Friendly Persuasion is unrated, this reviewer
would give it a PG. It is a wonderful film for family entertainment.
Real sensitive children may get upset during the fighting scenes
at the river, and the scene where Jess finds a bushwacker who
had just killed someone dear to him.
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