Friendly Persuasion
Directed by William Wyler
Gary Cooper – Jess Birdwell
A Quaker family live a peaceful and productive life in a prosperous Indiana farming community during the Civil War. Jess Birdwell, his wife Eliza and their children live their faith and their beliefs every day. They are friendly, open, honest and welcoming. They live an almost idyllic life. They also preach non-violence and remain neutral as far as the war and fighting goes. They are against slavery but don't feel men should be killed over the issue. Their eldest daughter Mattie is sweet on Gard Jordan who is now a Union Lieutenant but they think no less of him for that. Their peaceful coexistence with the war is tested, along with their faith and their beliefs, when a Confederate army threatens their area.
Also starring Dorothy McGuire, Anthony Perkins, Richard Eyer, Robert Middleton and Phyllis Love
This was President Ronald Reagan's favourite film. In May 1988 he presented Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev with a VHS copy.
Nominated for 6 Oscars, winner at Cannes Film Festival