Coward of the County

The programme is a sentimental drama featuring Kenny Rogers as a small‑town preacher. He provokes the community’s anger when he persuades his pacifist nephew, played by Fredric Lehne, not to join the armed forces during the Second World War. The conflict centres on his anti‑enlistment stance.

The programme titled Coward of the County is presented as a movie‑style drama. Classified under the genre of film, it offers a narrative that leans heavily on sentiment. Though listed simply as a programme, its structure and storytelling align with conventional movie formats, delivering a compact yet emotionally charged experience. The story centres on a small‑town preacher, played by Kenny Rogers, who finds himself at odds with his community. He persuades his nephew, a committed pacifist portrayed by Fredric Lehne, to refrain from joining the armed forces during the Second World War. This decision provokes anger among the townsfolk, who view enlistment as a duty. The drama’s tone is unmistakably sentimental, focusing on personal convictions versus collective expectations. By highlighting the preacher’s moral stance and his nephew’s refusal to fight, the narrative underscores the tension between individual conscience and societal pressure. The locals’ fury serves as a catalyst that brings the underlying conflict to the fore. In essence, Coward of the County presents a compact portrait of a community shaken by an unexpected moral choice. The preacher’s influence over his nephew’s decision not to enlist becomes the focal point, while the resulting community backlash illustrates how deeply wartime expectations can divide even the smallest of towns.