Although this movie was produced in the 1950s, it has been one of my favorites for many years. I used to see it on late night rerun movies on TV.
The story takes place during the Civil War and mostly revolves around a Quaker family whose Quaker ideas form many of the leitmotifs in the story. The family is supposed to be against violence and war. They are also against music. These are old Quaker ideas. However, when they surface in the story, these ideas are not always presented as ideal.
One of the features of the movie which makes it more appealing is the music soundtrack. Some of the words in the theme song are Quaker style, such as “Thee I love, more than the mulberries on the hill…”
The leading lady in the movie, Eliza Birdwell, is played by Dorothy McGuire. This character is supposed to be a perfect example of the Quaker minister in Indiana. However, some of shortcomings show up in the movie, especially when she takes a broom after one of the Southern soldiers who wants to kill the family goose. This is not a Quaker ideal, beating a man who wants to steal your family's goose.
The goose, itself, is a comedy element in the movie when the son of Eliza is often being chased by the bird.
Other well-known actors in the movie include Gary Cooper as the Quaker father, Jess Birdwell, and Anthony Perkins of Psycho fame who plays a son of the Birdwell family.
Interesting highlights in the movie, in the author's opinion, include when one of the family hides a musical instrument from the rest of the family. As model Quakers, they do not think music is appropriate for Christians. However, when another Quaker is visiting their farm and someone is playing with the instrument, they think it is music from Heaven.
The basic idea in the movie is the challenge of old ideas of a strong family in the Quaker sect. It makes for good viewing of a safe nature.
