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:

civil war | virginia | violence | fight | widower | 

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Taglines:

Two Mighty Armies Trampled Its Valley... A Fighting Family Challenged Them Both!

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Genres:

Drama | War | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 June 1965 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Fields of Honor

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$17,268,889, 31 December 1965

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The train that Anderson stops is pulled by a locomotive called the General Gault. The source of the name is unclear. The only noted pre-American Civil War military person of that name served in Napoleon's forces. A search of the web reveals only two other generals of that name, one from the U.S. in the 1950s, and one Canadian (served in World War II).

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Goofs

There are power lines crossing the river, in the opening shot

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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

Featured in Journey to Shiloh (1968)

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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

Excellent Western with the great James Stewart in which a family becomes involved in American Civil War

A patriarch widower (a magnificent James Stewart) from Virginia is determined to keep his family out of the Civil War (1861-1865). He attempts to remain neutral against the ravages of war but the happenings get worse and his six sons (Patrick Wayne, Glen Corbett, Rosemary Forsyth , Tim McIntire , among others) are involved . His daughter (Rosemary Forsyth) marries a confederate officer (Doug McClure) and his adolescent son is prisoned by Yankees .

Good Western with powerful story that captures action , emotion and sentimental drama . The opening battle scenes are taken from ¨The Raintree country¨ and are printed as a mirror image of the original footage . Superb acting by the veteran James Stewart as the heartbreaking father who is forced into action to find his unfortunate sons. Largely secondary cast as Paul Fix as a doctor , Denver Pyle as the Pastor , George Kennedy as Yankee General , Strother Martin as train machinist , Harry Carey Jr , Bob Steele , among them . Film debut for Katherine Ross , previously her successful 'Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid' . The tale was the basis for posterior Broadway musical stage played by John Cullum . Colorful and glimmer cinematography by William H. Clothier , John Ford's usual . Rousing musical score with sensitive leitmotif by Frank Skinner . The motion picture was well directed by Andrew V. McLagen . He is a John Ford's disciple and son of the giant actor Victor McLagen . He's an expert on Western as ¨Last hard men¨ , ¨Rare breed¨, and ¨Bandolero¨ again with James Stewart and of course 'Shenandoah', his best Western . And directed several John Wayne vehicles as ¨McLintock¨ , ¨Chisum¨, and ¨Cahill¨ . Furthermore , specialist on Warlike genre as ¨Devil's brigand¨, ¨Wild Geese¨, ¨Sea wolves¨ , among them. Rating : Above average, well worth seeing . The flick will appeal to James Stewart fans.