Sergeant York (1941)

A marksman is drafted in World War I and ends up becoming one of the most celebrated war heroes.

Director:

Howard Hawks

Writers:

Abem Finkel (original screen play), Harry Chandlee (original screen play)

Stars:

Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie

Won 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gary Cooper	...	Alvin C. York
Walter Brennan	...	Pastor Rosier Pile
Joan Leslie	...	Gracie Williams
George Tobias	...	'Pusher' Ross
Stanley Ridges	...	Maj. Buxton
Margaret Wycherly	...	Mother York
Ward Bond	...	Ike Botkin
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Buck Lipscomb
June Lockhart	...	Rosie York
Dickie Moore	...	George York
Clem Bevans	...	Zeke
Howard Da Silva	...	Lem (as Howard da Silva)
Charles Trowbridge	...	Cordell Hull
Harvey Stephens	...	Capt. Danforth
David Bruce	...	Bert Thomas

Storyline

A hillbilly sharpshooter becomes one of the most celebrated American heroes of WWI when he single-handedly attacks and captures a German position using the same strategy as in turkey shoot.

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Plot Keywords:

hillbilly | war hero | conscientious objector | war propaganda | doughboy | 

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Taglines:

Missiles! Jets! Tanks! ...It's Still The Guy With Guts And A Gun Who Wins The War!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French German

Release Date:

27 September 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Amazing Life of Sergeant York

Filming Locations:

Burro Flats, Simi Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,400,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$16,400,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The highest grossing film of 1941. Adjusted for inflation, it still remains one of the highest grossing films of all time.

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Goofs

When Gracie is showing Alvin their new home, she claims it was bought for Alvin by the people of Tennessee. It was, in fact, the Rotary Club of Nashville which provided the home and the surrounding land. The home was also not waiting for York upon his return from Europe as portrayed in the film. The club purchased the property in November 1919, a year after the war ended and after Alvin C. York and Gracie were already married. The couple did not move into the house until Valentine's Day 1922.

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Quotes

Pastor Rosier Pile: War's way to the other side of the ocean, Alvin. Lots of things can happen before you get there. You put your trust in the Lord, and He'll look out for you.
Alvin: I done forgot the Lord! I ain't never gonna forget him again!

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Crazy Credits

"We are proud to present this picture, and are grateful to the heroic figures, still living, who have generously consented to be portrayed in its story.

To their faith and ours, that a day will come when man will live in peace on earth, this picture is humbly dedicated.

High in the heart of the Cumberland Mountains in Tennessee, lies the Valley of the Three Forks of the Wolf, and here in the spring of the year 1916..."

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Connections

Referenced in Histoire(s) du cinéma: Seul le cinéma (1994)

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Soundtracks

When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder
(1892) (uncredited)
Written by James Milton Black
Sung in church at the beginning of the picture

User Reviews

Values Like These Seldom Seen On Film Anymore

Perhaps when this comes out on DVD later in the year (2006), I'll enjoy this as I did when I first saw it on tape. Subsequent VHS viewings were nowhere as appealing at that first look, unfortunately. As most people know, this is the story of World War I hero Alvin York, who went from drunken good-for-nothing to solid Christian man and war hero.

Gary Cooper certainly was a great choice for the role. Few people in his era were better at playing modest, soft-spoken-but-manly heroes like "Coop." When "York" makes no apology for his 100 percent belief in the Bible, no one challenges him because he's earned the respect from all, believers and non- believers. Cooper's status as an actor helps make that all the more "believable." Sgt. York also gives one of the best examples of forgiveness I've ever seen on film.

Another nice feature of this movie is seeing Joan Leslie in the female lead. She was one of the most pretty and wholesome-looking ladies of her day. She's always a treat to see. Walter Brennan also is interesting, as usual, and in here plays a minister, which also was a surprise.

Much of this film was a surprise because I'm just not used to seeing on film things like true forgiveness, the hero citing Scripture, military officers shown in a compassionate light (letting York, with his pacifistic views, decide what he anted to do) etc. What a shame so few films in the last 50 years have had similar values.