The Andersons are farmers living in Confederate Virginia during the Civil War, attempting to remain uninvolved by avoiding conflict. The father, “Charlie” (James Stewart), frequently discusses potential reasons for his six sons and one daughter to become involved in the war during their family dinners. They choose not to own slaves and believe there’s no benefit to risking their lives or farm by participating in a seemingly failing struggle. A stroke of bad luck occurs when the youngest son (Philip Alford) is captured by Union soldiers and incarcerated. This prompts “Charlie” and his family to search for him, while the boy finds himself unexpectedly immersed in the harsh realities of war as he escapes and tries to return home. Stewart’s portrayal of Charlie resonates on several levels; he embodies a devoted father, a resolute farmer, and an honorable man who understands the violence inherent in war but resists compromising his principles—even when it brings sorrow to his family. Alford also performs admirably as the sixteen-year-old, convincingly representing many of the young men who actually fought in the conflict, equally unprepared for battle. The film portrays a more unsettling sense of disorder than was typically seen in this type of movie by 1965, but does so with consideration, prompting reflection on its themes.

Source on TMDB