Shenandoah (1965)

During the Civil War, a Virginia farmer and his family vow to remain neutral, but one of the sons is captured by Union soldiers, sending the farmer to his rescue.

Director:

Andrew V. McLaglen

Writer:

James Lee Barrett

Stars:

James Stewart, Doug McClure, Glenn Corbett

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Stewart	...	Charlie
Doug McClure	...	Sam
Glenn Corbett	...	Jacob
Patrick Wayne	...	James
Rosemary Forsyth	...	Jennie
Phillip Alford	...	Boy
Katharine Ross	...	Ann
Charles Robinson	...	Nathan
Jim McMullan	...	John (as James McMullan)
Tim McIntire	...	Henry
Gene Jackson	...	Gabriel (as Eugene Jackson Jr.)
Paul Fix	...	Dr. Tom Witherspoon
Denver Pyle	...	Pastor Bjoerling
George Kennedy	...	Col. Fairchild
James Best	...	Carter - Rebel Soldier

Storyline

In Shenandoah, Virginia, widower farmer Charlie Anderson lives a peaceful life with his six sons - Jacob, James, Nathan, John, Henry and Boy, his daughter Jennie, and his daughter-in-law and James' wife Ann Anderson. Charlie does not let his sons join the army to fight in the Civil War that he does not consider their war. Jennie marries her beloved Lieutenant Sam, but they do not have a honeymoon since Sam has to return to the front. Charlie's youngest son Boy is mistakenly taken prisoner by soldiers from the North so Charlie rides with his sons to rescue Boy, while James and Ann stay on the farm. It is time of violence and war, and tragedy reaches the Anderson family.

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Plot Keywords:

one word title | civil war | virginia | violence | fight | 

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Taglines:

SHAKES THE SCREEN LIKE CANNON THUNDER! (original ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Drama | War | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie was turned into the stage musical under the same title in 1975 starring John Cullum.

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Goofs

The locomotive on the train that gets burned is equipped with air brakes, which were not invented until 1872. Although the locomotive is mostly filmed at such an angle that the air brake equipment is not visible, a connecting air hose can be seen on the front when the train is stopping for the fire on the track, and whenever the train is stopped, hissing noises from the air compressor can be heard.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jacob Anderson: They come closer every day, Pa.
Charlie Anderson: They on our land?
Jacob Anderson: No, sir.
Charlie Anderson: Then it doesn't concern us... does it?

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Connections

Edited from Raintree County (1957)

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Soundtracks

Praise God From Whom all Blessings Flow
(uncredited)
Lyrics by Thomas Ken
Music ('Old 100th') from Genevan Psalter
Attributed to Louis Bourgeois
Sung in the last scene at the church

User Reviews

Great 'sort of' western

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.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 July 1965 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Les prairies de l'honneur

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$17,268,889

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1