Sergeant York

19411941
PassedPassed
2h 14min

Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, and Joan Leslie in Sergeant York (1941)

Official Trailer

Play trailer2:00

Biography Drama History

A marksman is drafted in World War I and ends up becoming one of the most celebrated war heroes.A marksman is drafted in World War I and ends up becoming one of the most celebrated war heroes.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)
- Howard Koch(original screen play)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

Videos1

Sergeant York

Gary Cooper during the filming of "Sergeant York" 1941

"Sergeant York" Gary Cooper 1941 Warner Bros. **I.V.

Gary Cooper in Sergeant York (1941)

Gary Cooper in Sergeant York (1941)

Gary Cooper in Sergeant York (1941)

Gary Cooper and Joan Leslie in Sergeant York (1941)

Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan in Sergeant York (1941)

Sergeant York (1941)

Gary Cooper in Sergeant York (1941)

Gary Cooper and Joan Leslie in Sergeant York (1941)

Gary Cooper in Sergeant York (1941)

Sergeant York (1941)

Director
- Howard Hawks
Writers
- Abem Finkel(original screen play)
- Harry Chandlee(original screen play)
- Howard Koch(original screen play)
All cast & crew

See production, box office, & company info

Won 2 Oscars
- 5 wins & 10 nominations total

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Somewhat fictionalized account of the life and war service of Alvin York, who went from humble beginnings to being one of the most celebrated American servicemen to fight in World War I. As depicted in the film, Alvin turned to religion when he was struck by lightning during one of his drunken outings. Alvin took his newfound religion seriously claiming to be a conscientious objector when receiving his draft notice. When that was refused, he joined the infantry where he served with valor, capturing a large number of Germans and saving the lives of many of his men who were under heavy fire. —garykmcd

u.s. soldier world war one soldier western front hillbilly infantry 215 more

Taglines
- America's Greatest Modern Hero! Timelier today than ever... thrilling and inspiring story of the kind of men that America is made of!
Genres
Certificate
- Passed
Parents guide

Trivia
Alvin C. York himself was on the set for a few days during filming. When one of the crew members tactlessly asked him how many "Jerries" he had killed, York started sobbing so vehemently he threw up. The crew member was nearly fired, but the next day, York demanded that he keep his job.

Goofs
As General John J. Pershing is shown awarding York the MEDAL OF HONOR, he says that York is being awarded The Congressional Medal of Honor, which is incorrect. As the award citation includes the phrase "in the name of Congress", it is sometimes erroneously called the Congressional Medal of Honor; however, the official name of the medal is, and has always been, MEDAL OF HONOR. As the highest ranking American Army officer of that time, General John J. Pershing would certainly have known that, and would not have made that mistake at Alvin C. York's actual award ceremony.

Quotes
Alvin: Well I'm as much agin' killin' as ever, sir. But it was this way, Colonel. When I started out, I felt just like you said, but when I hear them machine guns a-goin', and all them fellas are droppin' around me... I figured them guns was killin' hundreds, maybe thousands, and there weren't nothin' anybody could do, but to stop them guns. And that's what I done.
Maj. Buxton: Do you mean to tell me that you did it to save lives?
Alvin: Yes sir, that was why.
Maj. Buxton: [amazed] Well, York, what you've just told me is the most extraordinary thing of all!

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..."

Connections
Featured in The Voice That Thrilled the World (1943)

Soundtracks
My Country 'tis of Thee
(uncredited)
Music from "God Save the King"
Traditional
Played over the opening credits and occasionally throughout the picture
Also played at the British medal ceremony

Top review

7/10

Involving war story

Heartfelt, involving saga of Tennessee's WWI hero Sgt. York. The first half of the story, almost a movie in itself, shows York in his native valley as he tries to get a nice plot of "bottom land", finds God, and learns that killing is wrong. In the second, York trains to become a soldier and decides that it's OK to die, or even kill, to preserve his freedom. Cooper carries the film's weight with conviction, painting the figure of a likeable, naive but intelligent, American hero. Hawks weaves the story's many threads together believably and with good humor.

helpful•30

6

funkyfry
Nov 3, 2002

Release date
- September 27, 1941 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Languages
Also known as
- The Amazing Life of Sergeant York
Filming locations
- Tennessee, USA
Production company
- Warner Bros.
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Budget
- $1,400,000 (estimated)
Gross US & Canada
- $16,361,885
Gross worldwide
- $16,364,924

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
- 2h 14min
Color
- Black and White
Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1

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Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, and Joan Leslie in Sergeant York (1941)

Top Gap

What is the German language plot outline for Sergeant York (1941)?

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