Rating: 
Summary: The movie that has no words to desribe its masterpiece
Review: A movie about respect, faith and love. An instant work of excellence. It will always carry in your heart as it does in mine. A true dream that exhibits a reality of a nurturing stable family unit that caters to values and ideals in our society. Realizing this masterpiece when I was six in 1956, I strived for what this movie represented. An excellent movie for those people that doubt the goodness in the world.
Rating:
Summary: 5 stars because that is the highest, my fav. of all time
Review: A very good movie made when movies were good and the good guys always won. Can be very thought provoking on one level, but very humorous on another, and on still another very exciting. Mostly a comedy it is a good family movie.
Rating:
Summary: One of my all time favorites.
Review: Everything about this movie is wonderful, the story, the cast, the music...
Absolutely perfect!
Rating:
Summary: Old Fashioned Family Drama
Review: Friendly Persuasion is another of those "they don't make them like they used to" films. Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire star as the parents of a Quaker family who find their traditional beliefs and way of life being challenged during the American Civil War. A simple trip to the County Fair exposes the family to dancing, gambling, music, and violence, all things their religion does not support. The ultimate test to their traditions arises when the need to defend their homestead from Confederate raiders forces some difficult personal decisions, especially for their son, well played by a young Anthony Perkins. In a violent world, it's very difficult to avoid conflict and violence, a message we understand even more clearly today. The film presents their challenges simply, honestly, and with much humour (the goose is a riot). Cooper and especially McGuire excel in their characterizations, as does Robert Middleton as Cooper's Methodist friend. This is an excellent family film.
Rating:
Summary: Old Fashioned Family Drama
Review: Friendly Persuasion is another of those "they don't make them like they used to" films. Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire star as the parents of a Quaker family who find their traditional beliefs and way of life being challenged during the American Civil War. A simple trip to the County Fair exposes the family to dancing, gambling, music, and violence, all things their religion does not support. The ultimate test to their traditions arises when the need to defend their homestead from Confederate raiders forces some difficult personal decisions, especially for their son, well played by a young Anthony Perkins. In a violent world, it's very difficult to avoid conflict and violence, a message we understand even more clearly today. The film presents their challenges simply, honestly, and with much humour (the goose is a riot). Cooper and especially McGuire excel in their characterizations, as does Robert Middleton as Cooper's Methodist friend. This is an excellent family film.
Rating:
Summary: Thee I Love.....
Review: FRIENDLY PERSUASION was released in theaters the year I turned 14. At the time, Anthony Perkins was a very big star adored by millions of young teenage girls like me. He had just appeared in TALL STORY with Jane Fonda and had not yet been turned into Norman Bates in Hitchcock's PSYCHO. I saw FRIENDLY PERSUASION about five times that year (1956 --admittance to pictures was a dime back then) and was absolutely smitten. Recently, I bought the DVD version of FRIENDLY PERSUASION and rewatched the film. I wondered if I would like it as much after all these years. The answer is yes--only now I'm taking another look at Gary Cooper. At last I can understand better what mama saw in him. FRIENDLY PERSUASION is not an antiwar film. It was released long before the antiwar movement built against Vietnam. FRIENDLY PERSUASION could actually be construed as a pro-war film made in the glowing period of the fifties when the U.S. still basked in the victories of WWII. After all, when those bad Confederates threaten Mrs. Birdwell's pet goose, all hell breaks loose. And forget Jess Birdwell, we girls all developed crushes on Mattie's Methodist soldier boyfriend. Boy he looked great in that Blue Union uniform. During the Civil War, Friends (the Birdwells are Quaker) lived in southern Indiana at the crossroads where the two armed forces met. Interestingly, the Quakers were the heart of the Underground Railroad and instrumental, though indirectly, in bringing on the Civil War--which may or may not have been fought over slavery. As they sow, so shall they reap. The Friends are not the victims of disciplined soldiers, they are the victims of hooligans and cutthroats--Southern Bushwackers. A less sanguine and more violent tale of life where Union and Rebel lines were not clearly drawn and Jayhawkers and Bushwhackers constantly raided was told a year or two in Ang Lee's overlooked film RIDE WITH THE DEVIL. I recommend both of these films. And a little aside--Jessmyn West who wrote the novel FRIENDLY PERSUASION on which the film is based was Richard Nixon's cousin. Yes, Nixon--the old hawk--was a Quaker--raised in the Quaker community of Whittier California.
Rating:
Summary: A Glimpse of Quaker Life
Review: Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire play devoted Quaker parents. Their life revolves around their children, (including Anthony Perkins), their farm, and their religion. The first half of the story shows their idyllic life: they attend church, go to a fair, and, much to Dorothy's horror, Coop buys an organ! (Their make-up scene is the best in the movie.) The second half concerns the encroachment of the Civil War. The family strongly believes in non-violence, but son Perkins feels he must fight on the side of the North. And one day, some low-life soldiers visit the farm... There is great chemistry between Cooper and McGuire, who seem passionate about each other, as well as their children and lifestyle. Their dialog, with thee's and thou's, is so charming and Coop supplies much humor with his desire to win at horse racing. The script is outstanding, the scenery beautiful, and the theme music is perfect. If you're looking for wholesome entertainment with top stars that still manages to deal with issues of right and wrong, Friendly Persuasion is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful story about pacifist Quaker family in Civil War
Review: Gary Cooper shines as a Quaker alongside a resolute and opinionated Dorothy McGuire as his "congregation elder" wife. They live in the rural "North" at the outbreak of the Civil War, raising 2 eligible teenagers (a boy and a girl), as well as a 10 year old boy. The emminent Civil War has the Quaker community divided on the issue of pacivism. Several "older men" in the congregation quickly turn coats, urging Cooper to join them in fighting the Rebels who plunder and burn Northern villages and kill women and children. When put to the true test, it is Cooper who proves to be the "true Christian". -- A love story between the teenage girl and her soldier suiter is a beautiful bonus. The entire cast is excellent, and the timeless theme song by Pat Boone puts the icing on the cake. This is a 5-star classic. You'll want to watch "Friendly Persuasion" again and again.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful story about pacifist Quaker family in Civil War
Review: Gary Cooper shines as a Quaker alongside a resolute and opinionated Dorothy McGuire as his "congregation elder" wife. They live in the rural "North" at the outbreak of the Civil War, raising 2 eligible teenagers (a boy and a girl), as well as a 10 year old boy. The emminent Civil War has the Quaker community divided on the issue of pacivism. Several "older men" in the congregation quickly turn coats, urging Cooper to join them in fighting the Rebels who plunder and burn Northern villages and kill women and children. When put to the true test, it is Cooper who proves to be the "true Christian". -- A love story between the teenage girl and her soldier suiter is a beautiful bonus. The entire cast is excellent, and the timeless theme song by Pat Boone puts the icing on the cake. This is a 5-star classic. You'll want to watch "Friendly Persuasion" again and again.
Rating:
Summary: An all time classic
Review: I have been watching this movie on t.v. on and off for
the past 20 years. Everytime I have watched it I have
enjoyed it more and especially appreciated the different
role that Gary Cooper brings to life. This is a timeless
family classic with one of Gary Coopers best performances.
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