Friendly Persuasion Page #2

Synopsis: The story of a family of Quakers in Indiana in 1862. Their religous 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 attitide?
Genre: Drama, Romance, War
Director(s): William Wyler
Production: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
  Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 4 nominations.
 
IMDB:
7.5
Rotten Tomatoes:
88%
PASSED
Year:
1956
137 min
454 Views


Last week...

...I had my 80th birthday.

And I'd like to bear witness

to Proverbs.

First chapter...

...33rd verse.

"Who so harkeneth unto Me...

...shall dwell safely...

...and shall be quiet

from fear of evil."

Amen, Emma. Amen.

I ask the prayers of everyone here

to help me be less worldly...

...less concerned about my appearance...

...to mind my tongue...

...and especially have the strength

not to wear earrings.

I've never spoken in Meeting before...

...but I feel so happy this morning

I'd like to share my happiness...

...with everyone in the whole world.

And to thank our Heavenly Father.

God is love!

- Is this it?

- Yes, sir.

Won't thee come in, friend?

Thank you.

You're the minister of this meeting?

I am. One of them.

My name is Major Harvey.

- Won't thee sit down, friend?

- Thank you, no.

I've had the duty placed upon me of

speaking to you Quakers about the war.

It is a matter much on our minds...

...and in our prayers.

But your men don't fight in it.

Some have.

But you do not encourage them.

We do not encourage them.

Ma'am, the Union has endured

two years of bloody civil war.

Thousands have given their lives in

battle to free our country from slavery.

We are opposed to slavery.

But we do not believe it right

to kill one man to free another.

Ma'am, it's not going to be a question

of fighting for freedom or a principle...

...but of protecting our own towns,

our own homes, from attack.

Would you men stand by while others

die to protect you?

You look like a boy who could give a

good account of himself.

I've been tempted to fight.

I guess the Good Lord knows why.

I mean, sometimes I get the

sinful wish to get into a scrap.

So I got to watch myself

closer than most people.

So I'll just stay away from the war.

Because if I ever got into it,

I'd be a goner.

And you, son?

Are you ready to put up with looting

and killing without lifting a finger?

Are you afraid to fight?

I don't know.

Here, at last, is an honest answer.

I don't wish to offend...

...but how many of you are hiding

behind your church to save your skins?

Is it right to let others fight for you?

To protect your lives and your property?

Why don't you speak up?

I'll speak up.

Nothing could ever induce me

to bear arms against my fellow man.

Burn my house!

Destroy my crops! Attack my family!

And I declare to all...

...especially to thee, Josh Birdwell,

wavering in thy convictions...

...nothing can move me to violence!

Nothing!

It seems Friend Purdy has already

been moved to considerable violence.

I misdoubt any of us here

could say with surety...

...what we would do in case of attack.

I have my doubts as to the strength

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Michael Wilson

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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