Shenandoah
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Movie Reviews of Shenandoah
Movie Review: An individualist who finds himself unwillingly at war
Summary: 4 Stars
This Jimmy Stewart star vehicle was released in 1965, so I could have seen it as a kid. But I didn't. Usually we attended blockbuster musicals and comedies.
When I say this is a star vehicle for Stewart, I mean that he gets more lines than anyone else, and he gets all the good lines. There are a fair number of good lines in this movie, which tells the story of a Virginia farmer who tries to keep himself and his sons out of the Civil War raging all around him. He is successful at tending his own business exclusively (he doesn't believe in slavery and finds no reason he or any of his should fight for it) until the war finds him. The South tries to requisition ("steal") his animals, which leads to an altercation. His youngest boy is carried off by mistake by the North as a prisoner of war. Dad sets off to find his son. The family does not remain unscathed, due to bad men and bad luck.
Shenandoah is probably one of the last Hollywood films that is unabashedly religious in underlying orientation, in the old style of the 1940s and 50's. Though Stewart's character has, shall we say, a strained relationship with God, he keeps his family tied to the church -- to fulfill his wife's final wishes. There's a very effective scene at the end where he talks to his wife Martha at her grave, longing for her to be there to give him some comforting words to help him deal with the tragedy he has just endured.
It's a simple story, effectively told. You could say it was an anti-war movie, but without the trappings of modern anti-war films, which tend to end up being anti-American. This film is more anti-government, in my opinion. Libertarian in outlook.
A fine film that is true to its era and still holds up today. Stewart knew how to pick his projects.
Movie Review: Great Movie, So-so DVD
Summary: 4 Stars
Classic, family-friendly Civil War story about an isolationist Virginia farmer (James Stewart) who is forced to become involved in the conflict raging around him when his youngest son (Philip Alford) is mistakenly taken prisoner by Union soldiers. Like John Wayne in "The Searchers", Stewart sets out to hunt down his kidnapped loved one, enduring physical, emotional, and spiritual hardships along the way. Uniformly well-acted by a superb cast, with stand-out performances from Patrick Wayne, film newcomer Katharine Ross, talented juvenile lead Alford, and of course, venerable screen legend Stewart. Capably directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, from a solid screenplay that deftly blends moments of sweet-natured humor and wrenching drama. (Take special note of the tragic scene at the family farm ... most of the violence takes place off-screen, and is all the more disturbing because of what you don't see. Now that's skillful, mature filmmaking!)Fans of the movie who have patiently awaited its release on DVD are bound to be a bit disappointed with Universal's unremastered print and bare bones presentation. The first two or three minutes of the DVD are plagued by bad sound (the music crackles and pops with distortion) and a horrendous video transfer (the picture is grainy and has tiny white lines running through it). Thankfully, things quickly get better after that rocky start. The DVD includes the Original Theatrical Trailer which has deteriorated badly and is presented in full-frame; sadly, there are no other extras offered on this edition.
Movie Review: Stewart's patriarach
Summary: 4 Stars
This film proven to be perhaps the last big hit for Stewart but what an heartfelt one!! It has endured in various screenings on TV and also resulted in a musical with John McCullum in the role Jimmy created memorably here. Although he was to make a few more films in this genre (Firecreek, Bandolero,The Rare Breed, Cheyenne Social Club), none of them held a candle to this family oriented Western. Stewart gives one of his best performances as a patriarch of a large family in the South who tries to hold on to his pacifist ways despite the fact a Civil War is brewing and that his family will be torn apart from it. This film may not appeal to Stewart fans used to seeing him in the rough edged films he did with Anthony Mann since this film is extremely sentimental and non-edgy but still powerful in its message of tolerance and forgiveness in troubled times. In a sense, then, this film is timeless regardless of the fact that's it's a Civil War western. Andrew V. McLaglan may not be Anthony Mann or John Ford (or Delmar Davies for that matter) but he does bring a lot of warmth to this material that William Wyler brought to a very similiar film, "Friendly Persuasion". I know this film will appeal to women as well as men so prepare to shed some tears on this when viewed. A fitting sonata to Stewart's long career in film.Movie Review: Shenandoah
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a touching,wonderful film about a widowed father who just wants to live his life, raise his family, tend to his farm/ranch and be left alone, depite the raging Civil War all around him. The scene where his is speaking to the grave of his beloved wife is very touching and interesting. James Stewart (in a wonderful performance as the father just trying to hold his family together)has a little speech where he talks about the perils of war and the different perspectives of those involved. It is not long, yet speaks volumes.(Remember this film was made and released right in the middle of the Viet Nam mess) Considering that Stewart was a staunch republican,& a retired Air Force General brings even more depth. He speaks as a man who has know loss. Phillip Alford as "The Boy" Stewart's character's youngest son is outstanding (see his performance in "To Kill a Mockingbird"). He also shows insight into his character's youth, bewilderment, fear, terror and awe of the men and war in which he finds himself kidnapped in. James Best has a wonderful supporting role as The Boy's "mentor" in the school of surviving, while the world about you is in chaos.Movie Review: Not history but sure is entertainment - contains spoilers
Summary: 4 Stars
I first saw this film over 40 years ago and bought the DVD on the strength of my memory of sitting in the cinema enthralled by the performace of James Stewart et al. The revisited Shenandoah was offered on a DVD which had a pretty good video print transfer, but not spectacular, and an adequate sound rendering in Dolby Digital Mono. The story itself is the stuff of Hollywood and not a history textbook replacement - as was generally the way back in the 60's when this was made. The story of a peaceloving Virginian widower bringing up his family, trying to ignore the civil war around him until it gets to be "personal" with the Union army capture of "the boy" - sounds a bit corny but is very important to the plot. Could have had a bit more war action but the story of "the family" is key to the whole film and not the war. I think I have a need for more action as I get older - but still an excellent film with lots to offer. I do not rate it a 5 but do rate it a good 4 - well worth watching!