bombersflyup Shenandoah is a bland western war drama, yes sir no sir.This type of story needed more passion and hardship for me. It skips over the parts that it needs to bring emotion, drive, sorrow, anger, heart and many other things. Also, the kid was pretty annoying.

Leofwine_draca SHENANDOAH is an engaging little war movie with a topical twist. It must have hit home for American audiences watching at the outset of the Vietnam War and wondering if they were going to see their sons again. Jimmy Stewart is an excellent choice for the lead role, a mild-mannered farmer who finds himself drawn into the American Civil War despite his best wishes, due to Yankee soldiers trespassing on his land.Andrew V. McLaglen was a good choice for director as he creates a strong and compelling movie. The famous theme tune is worth catching in itself and the casting director has done well to populate the film with the likes of Doug McClure and Patrick Wayne, with Katharine Ross shining in a small star-making turn. There isn't a great deal of action here but the battle and fight scenes that do take place are fine. The ending deserves mention for being particularly poignant.

hannahma57 I remember seeing this film when it came out, seated next to my father. The scene came along when the son lies wounded and a black Union soldier is about to bayonet him -- when suddenly they realize! He's a former slave of the white family! The faithful old-- oops, I mean young-- retainer spares his massa's life, etc etc. As he stands poised over the fallen kid with his bayonet and his eyes light up, my father muttered, "The Long Arm of Coincidence."A reviewer at the time felt no deeply religious guy of the time would address his late wife by staring at her tombstone. He would consider her to be up in heaven.Other than that, a predictable script full of dirty-faced but brave Confederates and clean but alien Yankees.

Matthew_Capitano Jimmy Stewart plays a dumb rancher who tries to find his lost son (named 'Boy').After his half-wit load puts on a confederate cap, wanders around in the soldier-filled woods, and expectedly gets conscripted, Stewart must search for the little numbskull, though the better deal would be to let the Yankees have him.It soon becomes evident that 'Boy' got his stupidity from Stewart. Jimbo takes four of his sons with him and leaves only one to watch the considerably large homestead along with his wife and infant.Other goofy elements include Stewart preparing a 'honeymoon suite' for his daughter and her idiot husband while her father and four brothers sit quietly in the next room.Ultimately silly Civil War film; Kevin Hagan ('Doc Baker' on "Little House on the Prairie") is terrifying as a murdering thief.