Directed by Andrew V McLaglen

This is a film that follows the life of a Virginian family during the American Civil War.

Charlie Anderson (James Stewart) is the proud patriarch of a Virginian family of largely young men - his wife has long since died. The family has worked hard to build up their estate without any outside assistance - this includes the absence of slave labour - and Charlie has no intention of becoming involved in the conflict taking place around him. That is, until his youngest son is mistaken for a Confederate soldier and captured as a prisoner of war.

To this end he embarks on a quest to find the lad, taking the law into his own hands. With most of his remaining sons, and his daughter in tow he confronts, among others, Union Army officialdom to try to find his son. His numerous adventures include torching a train containing Confederate prisoners of war. At the same time we also bear witness to the young lad?s trials post arrest. But more tragedy is to befall Charlie before the end of this semi-saga.

The end of the film, despite the tribulations, restores some hope for Charlie and those that remain alive.

Shenandoah has a rather hard-edged and cold (almost telemovie style) feel to it that largely destroyed any sense of credibility, sensitivity or ?reality? to this particular reviewer. A musical score that lacks intensity and inspiration, and a cast of ?TV? actors did not help this effect. This last point, though, could be a little unfair…

THE EXTRAS

Apart from the standard language and scene selection menus; there is a rather washed out looking theatrical trailer in a full screen transfer mode.

CONCLUSION

Shenandoah is a highly disappointing semi-epic has all the hallmarks of a telemovie; failing in casting, soundtrack and content to give one the impression of serious cinema. The story is fine, the cast passable, but the production as a whole is quite a failure.