Customer Reviews
Now it concerns us - By: Mark Kibble, 16 Nov 2008 
The Anderson family, a father (James Stewart), his six sons, daughter & daughter in law, try to sit out the war (u.s. civil) on their Virginia farmstead. He won't side with the south because he doesn't agree with slavery etc, but he won't fight against his homeland either.
Others try to entice him & his sons to join the southern cause, leading to some poignant & at times humorous moments, but as long as folk stay off his land & leave his family be he's not interested.
Not long after becoming a granddad, his youngest son is taken prisoner by union troops, so leaving his son & daughter in law to care for the farm, the rest of the family set off in pursuit. At this point the film splits, focusing sometimes on the boy, sometimes on the family. Having exhausted alll possible leads in his attempts to find the boy, he leads the party home, to catastrophic effect.
The final ten or so minutes of the film are a real mixed bag of emotions, the scene at the family grave, where his wife has now been joined by his two eldest sons & his daughter in law, & maybe the boy is touching, then the church bells ring! "why didn't somebody tell me it was sunday", he rounds up what is left of the family & leads them off to church (late as usual) for a surprise ending.
My favourite J.S. film, which sees him wrestle against not only outside circumstances, but also his conscience.
one of the best - By: Mr. D. Gough, 17 Mar 2008 truly excellent film ,should be in everybodys top ten westerns.great cast,great scenery, great story,great film,you won't be dissapointed.
Great Movie - By: ray dorrity, 30 Sep 2007 This one of the best movies made about the War Between the States.
It's about a prosperous Virginian farmer & his family & his attempt not to get drawn into a war he doesn't agree with.
From a historical perspective, everything is correct about the film, from the horses saddles right through to the weapons used.
A great piece of entertainment. The movie ranks alongside "Friendly Persuasion" as the best made about that war.
Buy & enjoy.
