Sergeant York (1941)

Before the movie-generating events of World War II, there was "the big one" and the heroes that emerged from it. "Sergeant York" explores the events surrounding one of the most legendary heroes of the war, one Alvin C. York, masterfully played by Gary Cooper.

Once you get past the first oh, hour or so, of wondering exactly where this movie is leading, it all starts to make sense. York is a stereotypical Tennessee hillbilly, from a stereotypical 1916 rural Tennessee hillbilly town. He's a rough character, and eventually he starts to turn around when he meets a young lady, one Gracie Williams (Joan Leslie.) From there he gradually starts turning his life around, taking on more and more responsibility, and eventually completely turning himself around after a life-changing revelation brings him to religion....

Then the war breaks out. He has to reconcile himself with the fact he may be called into duty, and the conflict with his newfound religious beliefs. He's called up before his conscientious objector status can be confirmed, and is torn from his isolated existence and thrown into a brand new world.

Here he's given a big choice. He must choose between his duty to God and his duty to his country, and eventually realizes that the two aren't exclusive. He returns to duty, and is eventually shipped off to France, to fight in the trenches.

It's here he goes above and beyond the call of duty, singlehandedly overtaking a German machine gun emplacement and in the process, capturing over 100 enemy prisoners. Gaining himself several medals, including the Congressional Medal of Honor, and is thrown into the limelight.

He eschews all the fanfare and celebrity, though. He decides to return home to Tennessee and live happily after ever with Gracie.

I will admit to becoming a little disillusioned for the first hour or so. I had expected this to be more war movie than biography, but once the pieces fell together for me, I found it to be a very enjoyable, and very introspective bit of film. I'd go so far as to put it up against any war movie of our time for its ultimate message and portrayal of those we consider to be "war heroes."

The entire "hillbilly" routine gets a bit comical, also, but I suppose that's how it went. Keep in mind the timeframe this movie was made in. Released in 1941, it came out before the US was thrown into World War II, but provided, I think, a good bit of propaganda as to why we should've been there sooner, while at the same time addressing a lot of issues that go along with that notion. Whether that was the intent or not, I can't say.

A full 8/10 from Sgt. WMB. I'd have gone higher but the hillbilly bit dragged on a bit too much, and well, the southern drawl thing... I guess voice/accent coaches were hard to come by!

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Description

Story of World War I hero who captured German position single-handedly. Film also portrays York's earlier life in the mountains of Tennessee.

Gary Cooper plays Alvin York, the real-life country lad and sharpshooter drafted to fight during World War I but blocked from killing by his pacifist sentiments. Howard Hawks makes a rousing, heroic film out of the tale, and Cooper gives one of his best performances (for which he won an Oscar). The 1941 feature seems as much a valentine to wartime America (and a not-so-subtle piece of propaganda) as anything, with Hawks capturing splendidly shot scenes of life in York's home state of Tennessee, which in turn provide a striking contrast to the battlefield. A key scene in the film, in which York is presented with an argument in favor of killing in war, is still thought provoking. --Tom Keogh

DVD Information

Binding: DVD
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Brand: Warner Brothers
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Original Release Date:
Actors:

• Gary Cooper
• Walter Brennan
• Joan Leslie
• George Tobias
• Stanley Ridges

Features

• Story of World War I hero who captured German position single-handedly. Film also portrays York's earlier life in the mountains of Tennessee.Running Time: 134 min. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR Age: 012569793750 UPC: 012569793750 Manufacturer No: 79375

Reviews

Related posts:

1. Dive Bomber (1941)
2. Great Guns (1941)
3. 1941 (1979)

This entry was posted on Friday, June 1st, 2007 at 8:22 am and is filed under 1940s, Reviews, World War I Movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.