It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Blistering performances.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

"Friendly Persuasion" was released in 1956, a long time ago. But the movie is a timeless gem and I had the good fortune to watch it recently. Like the lives of real rural Quakers in the 1860s, the lives of the Birdwell's in the movie don't tell a conventional story with a beginning, middle and end. Instead, the movie links together a series of mostly humorous episodes, each of which could be the basis of a self-contained short story: The Birdwell's, father, mother, eligible daughter, teenage son and younger son attend a fair with unexpected consequences. Unknown to his wife, Jess buys a small organ. Its delivery ignites a dispute. Jess and his teenage son, Josh, make a two- week trip selling orchard stock to farmers. They stop at the home of a widow with three "man hungry" daughters who shower Josh with unwanted attention. The Civil War is remote until a plundering rebel patrol suddenly appears at their doorstep. Josh anguishes over killing. All of the actors and actresses turn in fine performances, but Gary Cooper shines. His expressive face can speak volumes without a single spoken word.

In 1862, in Southern Indiana, the Quakers Jess Birdwell (Gary Cooper), his wife and Minister Eliza (Dorothy McGuire), their teenage son Joshua (Anthony Perkins), their teenage daughter Mattie (Phyllis Love) and their young son Little Jess (Richard Eyer) live a peaceful life in their farm. Eliza opposes to the war and they follow the stringent principles of their religious sect. But when the rebel Southern troops threaten the Birdwell family and their friends and neighbors, Josh decides to go to the front to defend their lands and Jess has to take a position against the principles of the Quakers."Friendly Persuasion" is another masterpiece of William Wyler that tells the story of a Quaker family in Southern Indiana that is forced to fight to defend their lands. William Wyler makes a sensitive film and the story is never melodramatic or corny, having the right doses of humor, love and violence. The performances are outstanding and the forty year- old Dorothy McGuire is extremely beautiful in a strong role. The debut of Anthony Perkins in a feature could not be better. The smart goose Samantha is responsible for the most hilarious scenes. My vote is nine.Title (Brazil): Not available on DVD or Blu-Ray

Quakers in 1862 southern Indiana are caught up in the great Civil War. This is a film of emotional, psychological and religious conflict upon the members of Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire, both of whom give splendid performances. This was certainly McGuire's best performance since 1947's "Gentleman's Agreement," and Cooper seems like he is right at home with his conflict of whether to fight or remain a pacifist. We saw the same conflict with him in his Oscar-winning performance 15 years earlier in "Sergeant York."Amazed that Anthony Perkins received a supporting nomination for his work as the conflicted son. Perkins would go on to much better performances in "Tall Story," and "Fear Strikes Out."The cinematography is grandiose or magnificent style. Surprising, Pat Boone's rendition of For Thee I Know did not work with Oscar voters who chose Que Sera Sera as the best song of 1956.Marjorie Main offers definite comic relief as one of Cooper's customers.The film of definite moral convictions showed from the beginning that there were cracks in the intense religious faith of this Quaker family.

Friendly Persuasion is directed by William Wyler, is based on the novel by Jessamyn West and stars Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire and Anthony Perkins.The film takes a hard hitting look at violence and ways to avoid it.Should we all learn to love each other and not resort to violence or is violence the only answer in certain situations?Southern Indiana 1862.A peaceful Quaker family farm their lands and struggle with the knowledge that soldiers fighting in the Civil War are heading towards them.Farmer Jess Birdwell(Gary Cooper)his wife Eliza(Dorothy McGuire),eldest son Josh(Anthony Perkins),daughter Mattie(Phyllis Love)and youngest son Little Jess(Richard Eyer)must choose between being passive and hoping for peace,or violence to bring about peace.Dimitri Tiomkin's score is sweeping and fitting,and singer Pat Boone performs the title song Friendly Persuasion(Thee I Love).Cooper who is best known for his cowboy roles is completely convincing as the gentle Jess.There's fine support from Robert Middleton as Sam Jordan, a friend of Jess who takes great delight in challenging him to a horse race on the way to church.Also Joe Fluellen is excellent as Enoch the family farm hand.