I'd been bitten by the Civil War bug a while back and being a movie buff started hunting down and watching films that take during the war. I confess I was actually pleasantly surprised by Shenandoah and quite enjoyed it for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the film states matter of factly that the war is being fought over slavery, that the Confederacy is fighting to preserve slavery, and that slavery itself is bad. It's truly frustrating just how few Civil War films actually do this. There's really not a lot of them. Go look for yourself if you don't believe me. Shenandoah also does something else fairly taboo busting for 1965. The portrayal of the Confederacy isn't all that flattering. Mind you the film's overall thesis is that no matter the causes, war is inherently brutal and senseless, and the Union isn't portrayed in a particularly flattering light either. But progress is progress. There's a real back and forth in the film with how each army is depicted. The Union: • Union soldiers mistake Boy for any enemy soldier and capture him. BAD. • A Union Colonel points Stewart's character in the right direction of where Boy will be and gives him a handwritten note explaining the situation and imploring whatever Union officer that reads it to help the Andersons. GOOD. • A Union officer at the POW train denies the Andersons permission to even look for Boy on the train because the officer has deadlines to meet, and this is all said and done with particular callousness. BAD. • Boy is caught in a battle during the film's climax and is shot. A Union soldier runs up to Boy with intention of bayonetting him. But it is revealed that the Union soldier is the now free Gabriel, who proceeds to carry Boy to safety. GOOD. The Confederacy • At the beginning of the film a Confederate officer comes to the Anderson farm and attempts to draft as all the young Anderson men because the Confederacy is losing the war. BAD. • A government official (implied to be a Confederate because this takes place in Virginia) tries and fails to legally confiscate livestock from the Anderson farm. BAD. • A Confederate POW helps Boy escape from a prison camp and looks out for him. GOOD. • Near the end of the film when the Andersons have tried their best to find Boy despite the odds, they tearfully resign themselves to failure and head for home. On their way home a young Confederate sentry is startled by the sound of their horses and shoots and kills one of the Anderson sons instantly. BAD. One scene I can't properly categorize involves a group of three men only referred to as scavengers near the end of the film. These three scavengers kill the two adults left on the Anderson farm and steal valuables. I'm not entirely clear if these men were supposed to be ex Union or ex Confederate soldiers. To my eye at least there wasn't any obvious visual clue. So, file this on under miscellaneous. I do feel obligated to mention that while the film has a fairly even-handed approach to how both armies are portrayed, the Confederates are unfortunately (and unsurprisingly 🙄) given slightly more sympathy because we the audience see weary bedraggled Confederate POWs in at least two scenes and the one Anderson woman's husband is a Confederate soldier who is portrayed as a good man. This will be a deal breaker for a lot of modern viewers which I completely understand. But I infinitely prefer this film's approach of even handedness and putting slavery right out there in the open as the cause of the war, as opposed to the standard formula of portraying Confederates as scrappy underdogs, Union soldiers as villains, and completely ignoring or lying about the slavery being the cause of the war. The film's main thesis is that War is Hell which I'm sad to say is a more relevant message than ever. This is summed up quite nicely by Stewart's character at the end of the film. There's nothing much I can tell you about this war. It's like all wars, I suppose. The undertakers are winning it. Oh, the politicians will talk a lot about the "glory" of it, and the old men'll talk about the "need" of it—the soldiers, they just want to go home. -Charlie Anderson According to Bruce Chadwick's book "The Reel Civil War" Shenandoah was partially marketed as teaching tool to be used in American classrooms. While the film wouldn't be ideal for several reasons today, Shenandoah would be infinitely superior to teachers using Gone with the Wind or some other Lost Cause film.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The five-star rating I'm giving this is for the acting, plot, beautiful scenery, historical setting, and the entertaining, if hokey, dialogue. I grew up watching this classic Civil War drama and must admit it still captures my heart every time I see it. This classic has something for everyone, with a fine mixture of comedy, drama, romance, and action. It is very tragic, but it clearly captures the harsh conditions faced by the innocent civilians during America's bloodiest war. The dvd has a fine picture and sound quality. It seems to me that they should've at least included a "making-of" documentary for such a famous classic. I've studied the Civil War ever since I was old enough to read, and even though this movie is historically inaccurate, it remains one of the best Civil War films ever made. I highly recommend it to all history buffs and classic movie fans.Read full review
My dad introduced me to this movie when I was a boy. It was our father son time. So to me this movie represents more than just a movie. Its to a time spent with my dad. And its a great classic movie. I had forgotten about it, when I saw it here on E-Bay, I had to have it. Its a western set in during the civil war. It depicts the general life on a farm in war time and how it affected all involved. Even those who tried to not be involved. How a mans sons can get swept into duty, some willingly , others unwillingly. How in those times the bond between father and his kids was put above all else. And what a real man will do to protect them. I would recommend this those who like classic movies. Its not the shootem up -large explosion or special effects movie, but it has a good message.Read full review
This is a great movie . Life back in the old days . western days. back in a the war and how James Stewart as the head of this big family has to finish raiseing his many children and farming by himself as his wife died when the last son was born. They have a beautiful farm and dont want to join the war fighting . but by mistake the 16 yr old boy was taken prisoner. they have to all search for him . many family members are killed dureing this time. the boy finds his way back at the end of the show. this is a great movie . They need move movies like it . It is good for the family . I named a son of mine ,Nathan, from this movie. I love that name and had never heard it before this movie.
An old time movie starring Jimmy Stewart that does not include nudity, drugs or every other word beginning with the letter "f"? For today's populace, this would probably not be entertaining, and the characters would not be engaging. But for the old timers like me, these were the kinds of movies we went to see while we were growing up. It was a different time, with a different way of thinking. I love this movie, the cast, characters and plot lines. A gem. Thank you for making it available.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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