For two years the Civil War has been elsewhere. Now Confederate forces are nearby, looting and burning. It is time to fight back, Jess Birdwell's neighbors insist. Yet Birdwell, a Quaker, knows there must be a better way to settle things. In a role ideally suiting his stalwart persona, Gary Cooper plays Jess in William Wyler's beloved film of Jessamyn West's novel that earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Dorothy McGuire, Anthony Perkins and a superior cast get to the heart of family, faith and pacifism put to the test.

Indiana, 1862. Quakers Jess and Eliza Birdwell (Gary Cooper and Dorothy McGuire) live on their family farm. There are only minor ruffles in their quiet life--youngest son, Little Jess, has a running battle with the pet goose, Samantha; Eliza disapproves when Jess turns their weekly buggy ride to worship into a race with neighbor Sam Jordan (Robert Middleton). But the Civil War threatens their calm. Will the Quaker men defend themselves against the invading Confederate Army' Their oldest son, Josh (Anthony Perkins), is torn between beliefs and desires. And what will Jess do when put to the test'