Friendly Persuasion

Released Nov 25, 1956

2 hr. 19 min.

Drama

List

89%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

The patriarch of a peace-loving Quaker family, Jess Birdwell (Gary Cooper), begins to question his pacifist values when the Civil War moves toward his close-knit Indiana community. Meanwhile, Jess's daughter, Mattie, is in love with a soldier, and her brother, Josh (Anthony Perkins), contemplates picking up arms to defend his home lest he be considered a coward. As Confederate forces draw nearer, the Birdwells must make some difficult, life-altering decisions.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered May 07

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Apple TV

Rent Friendly Persuasion on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

Audience Member

A decent family movie that sends a message of tolerance and non-violence. Cooper is funny as usual, and the wife is well-acted as well. I didn't realize the Quakers are in many ways similar to the Amish or Mennonites. I grew up next to Quakers and I remember just thinking they were weird lol. I think it bordered on corny at some times and not believable at others, but it is the 1950s lol and a family-centered film. It isn't groundbreaking, but its enjoyable to watch. I also appreciated a film about war that isn't WWII, as there are films about that at nauseam.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

William L

Friendly Persuasion is really two movies - a lighthearted period family dramedy, and what is supposed to be a much heavier exploration of faith and practicality (but which only takes up the last 40 minutes of the film). Neither is particularly well done, and they are integrated poorly; they are intended to contrast each other, providing an instance in which idealism is presented and tested, but the comparison doesn't take shape effectively. The script never wants to dive into any sufficiently dark material to justify itself and its lofty thematic goals, particularly its lack of consequences. Never have I thought, "You know what the world really needs? Gary Cooper as a Quaker, dropping a few 'thees' and 'thous', and also hopefully a shirtless woodchopping scene when he's 55." One of Wyler's less enduring films, and for good reason. (2.5/5)

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/01/21

Full Review

robert m

One of the American Civil War classics that's often overlooked. This movie has a lot of hokum and it's not always fair to the Quakers and the African-Americans should have recived more attention. Four stars for this film is a bit generous. Still, if the movie starts some good discussions, all is well. The movie has some fine moments when characters reflect on the suffering and the confusion caused by war.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

steve d

Strong emotional story with great performances especially from Perkins

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The plot was good and I really enjoyed Gary Cooper's character. He's the father most of us wish we had. I didn't enjoy the music that too loud at times, I would have to turn the volume down on the tv, and would then miss a lot of the dialogue. The mood of the music also tended to predict the story which spoiled the suspense.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

WONDERFUL!!!! There is just something very special about Gary Cooper!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

William Wyler

Director

Gary Cooper

Jess Birdwell

Dorothy McGuire

Eliza Birdwell

Anthony Perkins

Josh Birdwell

Marjorie Main

The Widow Hudspeth

Richard Eyer

Little Jess Birdwell

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

100%

75%

The Phenix City Story

94%

82%

Shock Corridor

100%

79%

This Man Must Die

71%

73%

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit

86%

90%

East of Eden

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Exceptional Civil War-set story of religious differences.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 24, 2010

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Warm, gently satiric portrait of a family of the "Friendly persuasion" living in the shadow of the Civil War… does justice neither to Quakerism nor to just-war theory, but its warm affection for its subjects makes it worthwhile viewing.

Rated: B

Sep 12, 2003

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

Apr 20, 2002

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

I did not find it entertaining, but it was a morally worthy film.

Rated: B-

Mar 30, 2022

Full Review

David N. Butterworth

rec.arts.movies.reviews

While painting one of the better portraits of Quaker life, the film's sober, Civil War-focused intentions are constantly undermined by slapstick situations and erstwhile tomfoolery.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jan 10, 2016

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

In Wyler's Civil War drama, Gary Cooper's most popular film of the 1950s, the star plays his quinessential role, a pacifist family man who needs to probe his soul before using physical violence.

Rated: B+

Feb 6, 2008

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

The patriarch of a peace-loving Quaker family, Jess Birdwell (Gary Cooper), begins to question his pacifist values when the Civil War moves toward his close-knit Indiana community. Meanwhile, Jess's daughter, Mattie, is in love with a soldier, and her brother, Josh (Anthony Perkins), contemplates picking up arms to defend his home lest he be considered a coward. As Confederate forces draw nearer, the Birdwells must make some difficult, life-altering decisions.

Director: William Wyler
Screenwriter: Jessamyn West, Michael West
Distributor: Allied Artists Pictures
Production Co: Allied Artists Pictures Corporation
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 25, 1956, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009

Most Popular at Home Now