Synopsis:
During the Civil War, the son (Anthony Perkins) of pacifist Quaker parents (Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire) is deeply conflicted over whether or not to join the fight; meanwhile, his sister (Phyllis Love) is smitten with a Union soldier (Mark Richman), his younger brother (Richard Eyer) is plagued by his mother’s pet goose, and Cooper and McGuire quibble over the controversial presence of a new organ in their house.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

• Anthony Perkins Films
• Civil War
• Dorothy McGuire Films
• Gary Cooper Films
• Small Town America
• William Wyler Films

Review:
William Wyler’s Oscar-nominated adaptation of Jessamyn West’s 1945 novel — about the messy interplay between family values, religious beliefs, and patriotic duty — remains a heartwarming and provocative mid-century classic. The Birdwells represent a family seemingly content in its religious convictions and sheltered lifestyle, with just a handful of tensions — Eyer’s hatred of his mother’s pet goose; Love’s crush on a soldier (and her forbidden desire to dance with him at a local fair); Cooper’s friendly horse-racing rivalry with his neighbor — demonstrating that every household or neighborhood (even one surrounded by impossibly idyllic rolling landscapes) has its share of conflicts to grapple with on a daily basis. Indeed, the bulk of this leisurely paced film is taken up with simply showing us the Birdwells’ reasonably contented existence — but lurking behind the entire affair is the unavoidable shadow of War.

Indeed, the presence of fighting nearby causes an enormous internal conflict for Perkins, who hates the very idea of harming his fellow men, yet knows that to stay away from the conflict entirely is (for him) equally detestable. To that end, Wyler and black-listed screenwriter Michael Wilson (whose Oscar nomination was rescinded, then later restored) do a remarkable job infusing the narrative with strong hints of how challenging it can be to maintain a pacifist attitude during wartime; numerous powerfully-written scenes highlight the ways in which various characters struggle against either the urge, or the perceived need, to harm someone else — such as when Perkins’ tussle-happy friend (John Smith) agrees to participate in a wrestling match at the local fair, then stops as he realizes (in horror) that he’s actually hurting his opponent. Later, in a series of provocative but sensitively handled scenes, not only Perkins but Cooper and McGuire each find themselves squarely confronting the need or desire to act against their pacifist ideals.

The performances throughout the film are simply wonderful. Cooper and McGuire’s marriage is presented as firmly grounded in mutual respect and love; the scene in which they butt heads over whether Cooper will be allowed to bring the organ he’s bought into the house shows their ability to eventually resolve marital conflict through loving compromise. Love (who, on a personal note, I knew later in her life, when she went by a different name completely) is simply charming in one of her few film roles, and Eyer demonstrates once again why he was one of the most natural and appealing kid-actors around. Meanwhile, Perkins appropriately won rave reviews (and an Oscar nomination) for his sensitive portrayal as Josh Birdwell, whose internal conflict over whether or not to take up a gun never hits a false note.

Note: There’s an odd little interlude in which Cooper and Perkins travel the countryside selling their wares, and stay the night with a widow (Marjorie Main) and her three man-hungry daughters (Edna Skinner, Marjorie Durant, and Frances Farwell); the broad humor of this scene feels a touch out of place, but is so enjoyable that one doesn’t really mind.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

• Gary Cooper as Jess Birdwell
  
• Dorothy McGuire as Eliza Birdwell
  
• Anthony Perkins as Josh Birdwell
  
• Phyllis Love as Mattie Birdwell
  
• Fine supporting performances throughout
  
  
• Many powerful moments
  
• Lovely Technicolor cinematography
  
  

Must See?
Yes, as a still-powerful classic.

Categories

• Genuine Classic
• Oscar Winner or Nominee

Links:

• IMDb entry
• Baltimore City Paper Review
• TCM Articles (spoiler alert)
• Tired Old Queen at the Movies Video Review