Directed by:
Andrew V. McLaglenScreenplay:
James Lee BarrettCinematography:
William H. ClothierComposer:
Frank SkinnerCast:
James Stewart, Doug McClure, Glenn Corbett, Patrick Wayne, Rosemary Forsyth, Phillip Alford, Katharine Ross, Charles Robinson, Jim McMullan, Tim McIntire (more)VOD (1)
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Charlie Anderson is a farmer in Shenandoah, Virginia and finds himself and his family in the middle of the Civil War. He decides not to get involved in the war because he believes that this is not “his” war. Eventually he has to get involved when his youngest boy is taken prisoner by the North. (MUBI)
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Reviews (2)
Given that Shenandoah was made in 1965, I understand the need to brace for a bit of old-school naivety. However, this film had a bit too much of it for my taste. That said, James Stewart nails it as the just and fair-minded head of the farm, and his anti-war sentiments are the movie's strongest moments. Those scenes really pack a punch, especially considering the era and the typical western setting. But when those powerful moments are interrupted by some saccharine love storylines, it dampens the impact a bit. Still, the anti-war messages shine through and make the film stand out, not just for its time but within the western genre overall.
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Who would have guessed that such a classically conceived western would simultaneously contain such a strong anti-war message and so much humor? The excellent James Stewart (this time supported by Brzobohatý's dubbing), unforgettable scenes with the train and the cow, and a monologue over the graves that takes your breath away and brings tears to your eyes. No, this isn't some cheap pro-American flick that has grown stale over the years. No way.
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