Friendly Persuasion

Wyler in characteristically earnest form with a Western-style story of a family of Quakers whose faith in a non-violent way of life is sorely tried by the outbreak of the Civil War. Solid performances, particularly from Perkins as the anguished son, and odd touches of humour (which might, ironically, offend Quakers, since their way of life is presented as eccentrically old-fashioned); but the basic dilemma - whether to take up arms or not - is presented in simplistic and predictable fashion. From a novel by Jessamyn West.