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Friendly Persuasion

Friendly Persuasion

Drama · War · 1956

The story of a family of Quakers in Indiana in 1862. Their religious sect is strongly opposed to violence and war. It's not easy for them to meet the rules of their religion in everyday life but when Southern troops pass the area they are in real trouble. Should they fight, despite their peaceful attitude?

Movie details

Friendly Persuasion

“Here's A Superb Motion Picture Full Of Fun... Laughter and Happiness.”

1956 Drama · War 2h 17m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.6 / 10

Community rating

The story of a family of Quakers in Indiana in 1862. Their religious sect is strongly opposed to violence and war. It's not easy for them to meet the rules of their religion in everyday life but when Southern troops pass the area they are in real trouble. Should they fight, despite their peaceful attitude?

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Friendly Persuasion?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

William Wyler

Written by

Michael Wilson

Gary Cooper

Gary Cooper

Jess Birdwell

Dorothy McGuire

Dorothy McGuire

Eliza Birdwell

Anthony Perkins

Anthony Perkins

Josh Birdwell

Richard Eyer

Richard Eyer

Little Jess Birdwell

Robert Middleton

Robert Middleton

Sam Jordan

Phyllis Love

Phyllis Love

Mattie Birdwell

Peter Mark Richman

Peter Mark Richman

Gardner 'Gard' Jordan

Court is in session

Put Friendly Persuasion on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.