The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

It's the American Civil War in Shenandoah, Virginia. Charlie Anderson (James Stewart) is an independent-minded widower farmer with six sons and a daughter. He doesn't own any slaves and don't intend on joining the war. The war is approaching and the south is losing. Some of his sons want to join but bow to their father's views. Young Confederate soldier Sam courts daughter Jennie and marries her. Sam is quickly sent back to the war. The youngest son is mistaken for a Confederate since he's wearing a cap he found. He's taken prisoner by the Feds and the Anderson clan ride off to rescue him.It's an old fashion western epic melodrama. It stays pretty neutral in the war same as Charlie Anderson. Not only do the family not own any slaves. They're friends to a couple of negro slaves. Most people are generally good caught up in a bad situation with the obvious exception of those vicious raiders. There is plenty of grandeur and some action. There is also the magnificent James Stewart in all his glory. His powerful presence keeps the movie on the straight and narrow.

Shenandoah has excellent actors, cinematography and screenplay. Its the story of a man, Charlie (James Stewart) who does not want to get involved in a war which is not in agreement with his reasoning. since besides his distaste for slavery, he and family always did all the farm work themselves and never needed any help. But the motivation to fight will arise out of unexpected circumstances. Since this film came out during the Vietnam war it is obvious that the comparison is intentional, also,it can be compared to any war. James Stewart gives one of his best performances, also Doug McLure and Phillip Alford. The direction, by Andrew McLaglen is almost without flaws, but a slight tendency at certain scenes, involving many people, to come close to a musical number in its artificiality.

Director Andrew McLaglen and Universal starred James Stewart in this fine family film. Co starring are two young Universal contract actresses Katharine Ross and Rosemary Forsyth. Ms. Ross would go on to do John Wayne's Hellfighters and then go onto great acclaim in The Graduate and also Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with Paul Newman. Also in the cast is handsome Patrick Wayne son of the great John Wayne, along with other reliable stars such as George Kennedy and rugged Glenn Corbett and Doug McClure who provide fine support.Can anyone recall if James Stewart ever gave a bad performance? I surely cannot! Mr. Stewart excels in this film which I thought would have garnered him another Oscar nomination.

In Shenandoah, Virginia, the widower farmer Charlie Anderson (James Stewart) lives a peaceful life with his six sons - Jacob (Glenn Corbett), James (Patrick Wayne), Nathan (Charles Robinson), John (James McMullan), Henry (Tim McIntire) and Boy (Phillip Alford), his daughter Jennie (Rosemary Forsyth), and his daughter-in-law and James' wife Ann Anderson (Katharine Ross) in his farm. Charlie does not let his sons to join the army to fight in the American Civil War that he considers that it is not their war. Meanwhile Jennie marries to her beloved Lieutenant Sam (Doug McClure), but they do not have honeymoon since Sam has to go to the front. When Charlie's youngest son Boy is mistakenly taken prisoner by soldiers from the North. Charlie rides with his sons to rescue Boy, while James and Ann stays in the farm. But it is time of violence and war, and tragedy reaches the Anderson family.The heartbreaking and unforgettable "Shenandoah" is one of my favorite westerns, with the story of a family caught by the American Civil War. The plot has elements of "Friendly Persuasion", with the strong code of honor of the patriarch of a family and James Stewart has another top- notch performance. My favorite scene is when Charlie prepares the room of an abandoned farm to give the opportunity of a honeymoon to Jeannie and Sam. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "Shenandoah"