Shenandoah
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Movie Reviews of Shenandoah
Movie Review: It Never Gets Old
Summary: 5 Stars
It is intriguing how some comments confidently classify "Shenandoah" (1965) as an anti-war film and others see it as pro-war propaganda (insert Vietnam here). The anti-war advocates must be basing their position on the film's similarity to "Friendly Persuasion" while the propaganda pundits appear to have been influenced by the fact that screenwriter James Lee Barrett would write the script for "The Green Berets" a couple years later. But given that the screenplay was written in 1963 and actual production was completed by late 1964, it is unlikely that Vietnam (pro or con) was much of a factor. National consciousness was a couple years away from regarding that little adventure as something of real significance.
I think the real strength of "Shenandoah" is that it maintains the same kind of uneasy neutrality that the Anderson family holds to throughout the film. It shows good and bad people on both sides as the family attempts to just distance themselves as much as possible from the conflict. That they are not entirely successful in doing so hardly sends a clear message of either pacifism of patriotism.
Director Andrew V. McLaglen's films are some of the least political you are likely to find, the exception being his frequent focus on strong women. In "Shenandoah", neither Charlie Anderson (James Stewart) nor his six sons are a match for daughter Jennie (Rosemary Forsyth). The father-daughter dynamic purposely gets a disproportionate amount of screen time as Jennie is shown to be the child most like the father and the only one who routinely stands up to him. This merits the most attention if one is looking for subtle political messages in the film.
Stewart is the only cast member with more screen time than Forsyth. Her romantic scenes with Doug McClure are also first rate, with a touch of comic relief as you begin to realize that he has little idea what he is getting himself into. And their reunion scene at the prisoner of war train is handled extremely well.
Civil war buffs will generally enjoy this film as it presents the war from the (until then unprecedented) point of view of a southern family who did not buy into the frenzy for secession in 1861 and remains resolute even as their property is overrun with union troops. It wouldn't be until "Cold Mountain" that another film would present the reality of a not so united southern home front. Eastern Tennessee and western Virginia remained pro-union, and Winston County, Alabama seceded from the state and attempted to stay in the union.
Of course the buffs will find many inaccurate historical details. At one point the doctor mentions losing a son the year before at Gettysburg, yet much later Carter notes that the besieged troops at Vicksburg are eating rats (the Gettysburg battle ended the day before Vicksburg surrendered). And just after Jennie drives away the federal procurement agents with a single shot rifle, the family rides off equipped with the latest lever action models.
Like McLaglen's "The Rare Breed", "Shenandoah" is somewhat of a chick flick, making it a novelty among historical action adventure films.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Movie Review: "These are my sons. They don't belong to the state!"
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree 100% with Steven Hellerstedt's comments concerning the lack of historical authenticity in the film "Shenandoah". The five-star rating I'm giving this is for the acting, plot, beautiful scenery, historical setting, and the entertaining, if hokey, dialogue. I grew up watching this classic Civil War drama and must admit it still captures my heart every time I see it.
Jimmy Stewart stars as the patriarch (Mr. Anderson) of a farming family in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War (I guess this was supposed to be before Gen. Sheridan laid waste to it in 1864!). His wife has been dead for many years and now he's facing the crisis of his life. He tries desperately to keep his six sons out of the war that had torn the nation apart.
Early in the movie we see what kind of a man Mr. Anderson is when he prays at the dinner table with his sons: "Lord, we cleared this land, we plowed it, sowed it, and harvested. We cooked the harvest. It wouldn't be here, we wouldn't be eatin' it
if we hadn't done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel, but we thank you just the same anyway, Lord, for this food we're about to eat. Amen."
Mr. Anderson finally admits "Now, it concerns us" (-the war) when a Union patrol mistakes his youngest son as a Confederate soldier and takes him prisoner. Anderson and his family set off on a journey to find him, but their journey will only leave more heart-ache in Mr. Anderson's already broken heart. Towards the end of the movie, Anderson says bitterly, "It's like all wars, I suppose. The undertakers are winnin' it."
This classic has something for everyone, with a fine mixture of comedy, drama, romance, and action. It is very tragic, but it clearly captures the harsh conditions faced by the innocent civilians during America's bloodiest war. The dvd has a fine picture and sound quality, but other than the original trailer there are no special features. It seems to me that they should've at least included a "making-of" documentary for such a famous classic.
I've studied the Civil War ever since I was old enough to read, and even though this movie is historically inaccurate, it remains one of the best Civil War films ever made. I highly recommend it to all history buffs and classic movie fans.
Movie Review: A very good heartfelt movie for the whole family
Summary: 5 Stars
While this movie doesn't fit today's tastes for irony, cynicism, and action that is as violent and graphic as possible, I like this movie a great deal. Actually, it is because it isn't like today's movies that I appreciate it more. Some find its earnestness too sweet and the humor a bit ham-bone. But I am willing to transport myself into a time when such things were possible in movies. All movies have conventions and none are "realistic" - not even documentaries. So, if you can accept one set of conventions, you should be able to adapt to another and appreciate the movie for what it sets out to be.This is not a movie about violence per se. It is about family and loss, and deals with the notion of trying to be in the world but apart from it and how difficult that can be because the world has a way of rolling over you. The Civil War is the backdrop of this question. Jimmy Stewart's character, Charlie Anderson, is a widower who still grieves for his lost sweetheart. He has a bunch of sons and one daughter. He tries to keep them out of the war, but cannot. His daughter is pursued by Lieutenant Sam (Doug McClure) who fights for the Confederacy. (If both armies are bad to Charlie Anderson - the Yankees are the worse army in this movie.)
My two favorite scenes are the family prayer over the meal where Charlie thanks God for the meal and food while noting without their hard work it wouldn't be on the table. The other is when Lieutenant Sam asks Charlie for Jennie's hand in marriage. Charlie asks Sam why he wants to marry Jennie. Sam say's its because he loves her. Charlie says that isn't good enough. Sam is nonplussed. Charlie asks if he likes her. Sam doesn't get it. And the explanation Charlie gives should be printed on a card and handed to EVERY young couple contemplating marriage. It is wonderful and true.
This is a good movie if not a great one. If you enjoy Jimmy Stewart, this is a very good performance. If you like heartfelt movies and enjoy something not laced with the bitter taste of modern movies, then this is one you will likely enjoy. I still like to watch it now and again.
Movie Review: Moving, beautifully filmed Drama about family's determination to stay together during America's Civil War.
Summary: 5 Stars
Absolutely beautiful film that only gets better with age, showcasing one of the great actor, James Stewart's very best performances.
The film tells the story of a close knit family led by patriarch Stewart who is determined to keep his family out of the Civil War and stay to work on there farm in Virginia. However, the war catches up to them eventually and with it comes tragedy,loss,death and finally, hope.
Director Mclagen was mainly known for directing films more of the Action variety, but embues the film with a great subtlety and warmth that connects and involves the viewer in the story.
Stewart's character is a noble character whom the audience can identify with. A good man who is a widower and truly loves and cares for his family and does not believe(rightfully) in the insanity of War. The rest of the cast are absolutely believable in there parts, but it's Stewart that anchors this film.
The film is often classified in the Western genre, but it's really more of a historical Drama and one of cinema's best interpretations of the American Civil War.
Both sides are handled with equally amounts of symapthy and neither are villiainized for the antagonist of this piece is rather war itself than the men involved therein.
Veteran actor George Kennedy has a classic bit as a world weary general who sympathesizes with Stewart's dstraught father who has just had his young son taken prisoner by the Union Army. It's a little scene but it adds alot of weight to the film.
Credit must be given to how unexpected the deaths are presented within this film, adding extra layers of tragedy that makes for a film destined to be labelled a tearjerker.
Easily one of the best films about this most written about topic in American history and one of the most neglected. Certainly worth a reappraisal by audiences seeking entertainment with genuine heart and feeling not dilluted by rampant cynicism.
Movie Review: THIS TIME ANDREW MCLAGLEN IS JOHN FORD!
Summary: 5 Stars
Victor McLaglen was a member of the famous"John Ford stock company",actors who appearred time and time again in Ford films(Francis Ford,Jane Darwell,Jack Pennick,John Qualen,Ben Johnson,Harry Carey jr.,Mae Marsh,and Russell Simpson,are just some of these actors).Victor's son Andrew was an assistant director on a number of Ford films(The Quiet Man).
Shenandoah,a Civil War drama starring Jimmy Stewart,as Charlie Anderson,a Virginia widower and opponent of war and slavery,could very well be taken for a Ford film because of its attitude,pace,actors,and and general tone of love of country and love of family and true patriotism,opposing a oppressive state,both Union and Confederate who want his sons and fruits of his family's labor to support the war.The state DOES NOT OWN his sons or his goods in order take part in a war fought to uphold the evil system of slavery or his family goods' to continue an immoral war,the Anderson character seems to believe that ALL WARS are UNJUST.When a troop of Confederate troops are massacred,shortly after leaving the Anderson farm,Charley asks his son "what do you do with dead soldiers".This movie was made during the VietNam war,though opposition to it had not peaked yet.
I first saw this film nearly forty years ago and I've had it on VHS or DVD for at least twenty years and it never fails to bring a tear to my eye,just as many Ford films have done to me over the years.
Jimmy Stewart was born to play Charley Anderson.Glenn Corbett,Denver Pyle,George Kennedy,Katherine Rose,Rosemary Forsyth and suprisingly both Doug McClure and Pat Wayne lend stellar support.NO COMMETARY-NO EXCUSE.