Shenandoah1965Shenandoah
1965
In 1864 Virginia, widower Charlie Anderson keeps his six sons and his daughter out of the Civil War. Then Union soldiers take his youngest son prisoner, and the family sets out to find him.
For children old enough to talk it through: sustained intensity, or language or sexual content that Common Sense Media rates 7–9.
Why it’s here
James Stewart as a strong, stubborn father who must learn to give God the credit. The cost of war, and mercy shown to a boy soldier.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Battles, sons killed (one by a startled sentry), and scavengers' murder of a daughter-in-law with an implied rape (not shown) make it heavy, so preview it. Charlie's grudging prayers and lateness to church are shown as pride that grief humbles; cigar smoking.
Shenandoah (1965)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did Charlie want no part of the war?
- How did Charlie show mercy to the young sentry?
- How had Charlie's prayers changed by the end?
- What did the war cost the Andersons?
Content advisory
IMDb parents guide and TCM (via WebSearch): battle scenes; sons killed; a daughter-in-law raped and murdered (implied, not shown); a couple of "damn"s; cigar smoking and occasional drinking.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Shenandoah Blu-ray
Blu-ray · July 27, 2021
Edition link coming soon.
Listing on Blu-ray.com (opens in a new tab)Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.