Les prairies de l'honneur

Compelling drama about a man's efforts to keep his family safe and out of the Civil War. It's an anti-war story that was obviously meant to be about the then-current war, Vietnam, as much if not more than the one in the story. The film looks and feels like a western, although it's set in Virginia. Like most westerns from back then, it's a mix of serious drama with action scenes and even some moments of comedy. James Stewart plays the lead and gives an exceptional performance. Fine support from George Kennedy, Paul Fix, Patrick Wayne, Doug McClure, Katharine Ross (in her film debut), Glenn Corbett, and Rosemary Forsyth, who does a great job as Stewart's ballsy daughter. Some riveting emotional scenes and some nice action. Definitely worth a look for Stewart fans or anyone who enjoys films with subtext.

Shenandoah (1965) is a movie I recently watched on Tubi. The storyline follows a Virginia family during the Civil War that refuses to participate in the war despite the father having five sons and several daughter. They never believed in slavery and wont fight for it now. The South keeps trying to recruit the sons and the family resources but a stubborn father wont have it; however, when the youngest son gets caught up in the war activities the family may have to get involved after all.

This movie is directed by Andrew V. McLaglen (The Wild Geese) and stars James Stewart (Vertigo), George Kennedy (Cool Hand Luke), Patrick Wayne (Big Jake), Rosemary Forsyth (Disclosure), Doug McClure (The Land that Time Forgot), Tim McIntire (Brubaker) and Katharine Ross (The Graduate).

The storyline, characters, setting and circumstances of the time period are very well established. The family dynamics is outstanding and James Stewart couldn't have been better cast. His script, demeanor and intensity was perfect. The chemistry within the entire cast was excellent.

The circumstances and perspectives of the Civil War were also well delivered; and the ending was a bit sad, but realistic and very well done.

Overall this isn't a perfect film but is very well executed and is definitely worth a viewing. I would score this movie a 7.5/10 and strongly recommend it.

In Shenandoah, Virginia, the widower farmer Charlie Anderson (James Stewart) lives a peaceful life with his six sons - Jacob (Glenn Corbett), James (Patrick Wayne), Nathan (Charles Robinson), John (James McMullan), Henry (Tim McIntire) and Boy (Phillip Alford), his daughter Jennie (Rosemary Forsyth), and his daughter-in-law and James' wife Ann Anderson (Katharine Ross) in his farm.

Charlie does not let his sons to join the army to fight in the American Civil War that he considers that it is not their war. Meanwhile Jennie marries to her beloved Lieutenant Sam (Doug McClure), but they do not have honeymoon since Sam has to go to the front. When Charlie's youngest son Boy is mistakenly taken prisoner by soldiers from the North. Charlie rides with his sons to rescue Boy, while James and Ann stays in the farm. But it is time of violence and war, and tragedy reaches the Anderson family.

The heartbreaking and unforgettable "Shenandoah" is one of my favorite westerns, with the story of a family caught by the American Civil War. The plot has elements of "Friendly Persuasion", with the strong code of honor of the patriarch of a family and James Stewart has another top- notch performance. My favorite scene is when Charlie prepares the room of an abandoned farm to give the opportunity of a honeymoon to Jeannie and Sam. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Shenandoah"

Note: On 09 Dec 2018 I saw this film again.

Director Andrew McLaglen and Universal starred James Stewart in this fine family film. Co starring are two young Universal contract actresses Katharine Ross and Rosemary Forsyth. Ms. Ross would go on to do John Wayne's Hellfighters and then go onto great acclaim in The Graduate and also Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with Paul Newman. Also in the cast is handsome Patrick Wayne son of the great John Wayne, along with other reliable stars such as George Kennedy and rugged Glenn Corbett and Doug McClure who provide fine support.

Can anyone recall if James Stewart ever gave a bad performance? I surely cannot! Mr. Stewart excels in this film which I thought would have garnered him another Oscar nomination.

I saw this movie the 1st time with my dad when I was in grade school. It brings up a lot of big issues. Like "High Noon" or "The Searchers" there is an underlying theme that may or may not have been intended. Released in 1965 when Vietnam was just beginning to become a hot issue. In his last 'chat' with his dead wife, he vocalized a dove perspective on war in general--that the people who think that war is a good idea usually aren't the ones who will be dodging bullets, chemical weapons or bombs.

Having the youngest son rescued by an African American was also a daring move at the time.

Worth a look. It may not be historically accurate, but it touches on some important and timely, considering the nature of current events.