Sergeant York (1941)
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AUDIENCE SCORE
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Sergeant York Videos & Photos
Movie Info
Based on a true World War I story, Howard Hawks' Sergeant York follows a religious Tennessee boy (Gary Cooper), who is initially opposed to war. York is drafted into the Army, where he realizes that there is indeed justification for fighting and in the course of service, he becomes one of the most acclaimed and decorated heros of World War I. Cooper won an Academy Award for his performance in this moving, exciting film. Sergeant York has also been shown in a computer-colorized print.
| Rating: | Unrated |
| Genre: | Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics |
| Directed By: | Howard Hawks |
| Written By: | Tom Skeyhill, Alvin C. York, Abem Finkel, Harry Chandlee, Howard Koch |
| In Theaters: | Sep 27, 1941 Wide |
| On DVD: | Nov 7, 2006 |
| Runtime: |
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Cast
as Alvin C. York
as Gracie
as Pastor Rosier Pile
as Pusher
as Buxton
as Ike
as Lipscomb
as Rose
as George York
as Zeke
as Lem
as Cordell Hull
as Danforth
as Bert Thomas
as German Major
as Sgt. Early
as German Major
as Sgt. Early
as Sgt. Parsons
as Mother York
as Zeb Andrews
as Nate Tompkins
as Sergeant
as Capt. Tillman
as Cpl. Savage
as Beardsley
as Cpl. Cutting
as Eb
as Tom Carver
as Uncle Lige
as Gracie's Sister
as Drummer
as Marty, Bartender
as Saloon Girl
as Saloon Girl
as Fat Woman
as Saloon Girl
as Piano Player
as Gen. John Pershing
as Card Player
as Fat Woman
as Andrews
as Gunnery Spotter
as Gunnery Spotter
as Gen. Duncan
as Scorer
as Prison Camp Commande...
as Officer
as General
as Marshal Foch
as Gen. Duncan
as AP Man
as Harrison
as Oscar of the Waldorf
as Scorer
as Soldier
as Sergeant
as British Soldier
as New York Spokesman
as Man at Church
as Marching Soldier
as Luke, the Target Ke...
as Soldier on Rifle Ran...
as German Major
as Mountaineer
as Capt. Tillman
as Farmer
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LoginCritic Reviews for Sergeant York
All Critics (22) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (3) | DVD (4)
The performance of Gary Cooper in the title role holds the picture together magnificently, and even the most unfavorable touches are made palatable because of him.
The first half is quite good, documenting York's rural upbringing with great simplicity and charm. But the second part -- the war -- degenerates quickly and grotesquely.
Even given a nest of flaws, the basic arc works beautifully: Cooper's abashed, aw-shucks demeanor is a perfect fit for the part.
Moving, memorable, great Warner Bros. biography of WWI hero York, with fine Cooper performance--an Oscar winner.
Audience Reviews for Sergeant York
A "simple" Appalachian converts to Christianity and then goes to WWI.
There is a scene in which York is struck by lightning, which propels him to "find God." While it purports to be based on a true story, shit like that makes me doubt its veracity. What's worse is the film's treatment of York, who is portrayed without even enough sense to tie his shoes, yet by the end of the film, we're supposed to revere his bravery and conversion from conscientious objector to violence. This characterization - I balk at calling anyone in this film a "character" - not only paints Americans and Appalachians as decidedly anti-intellectual, but it also suggests that Christianity is mutable enough to be jettisoned at the first call of violent duty.
Overall, this film is both insulting and ridiculous.
Super Reviewer
I liked Sergeant York but wasn't absolutely floored by it. The first half of the movie where York is a hell-raising yokel was entertaining, even if it did feel kind of forced. The second religious half was good even if there weren't enough of the WWI battles I'd expected and storywise it was more interesting, too. I'm not the world's biggest Gary Cooper fan but he was pretty good here. The hickishness of Sergeant York got kind of annoying after awhile but consider the source. Overall, it wasn't what I expected but it was still good.
Super Reviewer
I don't want to be a soldier. I don't want to go to war. I would seriously consider dodging the draft if there still was one. I identified with Gary Cooper's character. Yet, the movie's message is strongly supporting war and a soldier's work. Somehow I still enjoyed the film, and can appreciate it for the things it does well.
Super Reviewer
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