Friendly Persuasion (1956)

1956 • 137 minutes

About this movie

A Quaker family's idyllic life is torn by the family members' strong, conflicting beliefs--nonviolence, justice, truth and respect for individuality--as each confronts the approaching United States Civil War with Friendly Persuasion. Academy Award winner Gary Cooper stars as a father trying to hold his family together and remain true to his deeply held conviction that there is that of God in everyone. For him, it is unthinkable to take the life of any person--but it is equally unthinkable to tolerate slavery. Now, each member of his family must choose between nonviolence and the fight to end slavery as the Civil War comes to their Southern Indiana farm.

Ratings and reviews

I can never get tired of this film. All-star cast. Phenomenal performances. The moral and ethical dilemmas that are faced. What do you do when your faith is at odds with society? I just like films featuring Quakers/Society of Friends or Amish/Mennonite people.

Truly a real classic

Great