Set in Indiana during the American Civil War, Friendly Persuasion follows the Birdwells, a devout Quaker family whose pacifist beliefs are tested as conflict approaches their peaceful community. Jess Birdwell, his strong-willed wife Eliza — a Quaker minister — and their children navigate the tension between deeply held convictions and the harsh realities of war.
As Confederate forces draw nearer, the family must confront moral dilemmas, shifting loyalties, and the personal cost of choosing between conscience and action. Blending warmth, humor, and emotional power, William Wyler’s classic film explores faith, compassion, and the resilience of the human spirit in times of national upheaval.
