Shenandoah (1965)

78% of users liked it
(5,917 ratings)

The year is 1863. Wealthy Virginia landowner Charlie Anderson (James Stewart), a man of peace despite his autocratic behavior, steadfastly refuses to take sides in the Civil War. Bit by bit, Anderson's isolationism--and his way of living--is torn apart. Charlie's daughter, Jannie Anderson (Rosemary… More The year is 1863. Wealthy Virginia landowner Charlie Anderson (James Stewart), a man of peace despite his autocratic behavior, steadfastly refuses to take sides in the Civil War. Bit by bit, Anderson's isolationism--and his way of living--is torn apart. Charlie's daughter, Jannie Anderson (Rosemary Forsyth) falls in love with Confederate soldier Sam (Doug McClure). His youngest son, Boy Anderson (Philip Alford) is captured by the Confederate army and taken prisoner. Meanwhile, another son, James (Patrick Wayne) and his wife, Ann (Katherine Ross), are murdered by looters. And his oldest son, Jacob Glenn Corbett, is accidentally killed. How all of these personal tragedies culminate in a successfully sentimental finale is the peculiar charm of Shenandoah, which proved to be a hit with audiences on both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. James Lee Barrett's screenplay was later adapted into a successful Broadway musical, starring Northern Exposure's John Cullum in the Stewart role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 46 min.
Directed By: Andrew V. McLaglen
Written By: James Lee Barrett
Genres: Documentary, Western, Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 3, 1965 Limited
On DVD: May 6, 2003
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide
Released as part of a five-movie 'Screen Legend' set featuring the performances of James Stewart, this is a DVD with just a single extra feature: the movie trailer.
Dan Jardine, Apollo Guide
A successful film not just because of the marriage of the right actor in the appropriate genre, but also the timely infusion of challenging questions about a nation at war.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Set in a Virginia farm during the Civil War, this popular family film offers all-American star Jimmy Stewart a classic role, a widower with six sons who initially refuses to takes sides or get involved in the conflict--only to learn otherwise.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

More a rugged outdoor family drama than a cowboys 'n' injuns shoot 'em up, it features a typically reliable performance by old warhorse James Stewart who plays the pragmatic patriarch of a Virginia farming family caught up in the civil war. It's episodic and a… More
More a rugged outdoor family drama than a cowboys 'n' injuns shoot 'em up, it features a typically reliable performance by old warhorse James Stewart who plays the pragmatic patriarch of a Virginia farming family caught up in the civil war. It's episodic and a little cloyingly sentimental, but it has it's moments, particularly the cow stopping play during a battle and a memorable cameo from George Kennedy as a world weary union colonel.

Cast

            James Stewart as Charlie Anderson

            Doug McClure as Sam

            Glenn Corbett as Jacob Anderson

            Patrick Wayne as James Anderson

            Rosemary Forsyth as Jannie Anderson

            Katharine Ross as Ann Anderson

            Philip Alford as Boy Anderson

            Jim McMullan as John Anderson

            Tim McIntire as Henry Anderson

            Paul Fix as Dr. Tom Witherspoon

            Denver Pyle as Pastor Bjoerling

            George Kennedy as Col. Fairchild

            James Best as Carter

            Tom Simcox as Lt. Johnson

            Berkeley Harris as Capt. Richards

            Harry Carey Jr. as Jenkins

            Kevin Hagen as Mule

            Dabbs Greer as Abernathy

            Strother Martin as Engineer

            Kelly Thordsen as Carroll

            Rayford Barnes as Horace

            Lane Bradford as Tinkham

            John Daheim as Osborne

            Edward Faulkner as Union Sergeant

            Buzz Henry as Rider

            Leroy Johnson as Rider

            Warren Oates as Billy Packer

            Gregg Palmer as Union Guard

            Bob Steele as Guard

            Henry Wills
            
            Joe Yrigoyen as Marshal

            David Cass Sr. as Ray

            Hoke Howell as Crying Prisoner

            James Carter as Rider

            George Fisher as Confederate Soldier

            Charles Knox Robinson III as Nathan Anderson

            Phillip Alford
            
See full cast