Sergeant York
Sergeant York

Sergeant York

1941Movie134 minEnglish

Alvin York a hillbilly sharpshooter transforms himself from ruffian to religious pacifist. He is then called to serve his country and despite deep religious and moral objections to fighting becomes one of the most celebrated American heroes of WWI.

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Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes100%
Metacritic93
Google Users93%
Director: Howard HawksGenres: Biography, Drama, War, History

Plot Summary

Alvin C. York, a pacifist farmer from Tennessee, is drafted into the U.S. Army during World War I. Despite his deep religious beliefs against violence, York is eventually persuaded to serve his country. Through extraordinary courage and exceptional marksmanship, he becomes a decorated hero, capturing over a hundred German soldiers single-handedly.

Critical Reception

Sergeant York was a critical and commercial triumph, lauded for its powerful portrayal of conscience and heroism. Gary Cooper's performance was widely praised, earning him an Academy Award for Best Actor. The film was a major box office success and is considered a classic of American cinema, resonating with audiences for its patriotic and humanistic themes.

What Reviewers Say

  • Gary Cooper delivers an iconic, Oscar-winning performance as the reluctant war hero.
  • A powerful and inspirational story that blends patriotism with personal conviction.
  • Masterfully directed by Howard Hawks, showcasing both intimate character moments and epic wartime sequences.

Google audience: Viewers consistently praise Gary Cooper's lead performance, calling it a standout and deeply moving portrayal. The film's themes of faith, duty, and heroism resonate strongly with audiences, many of whom find it to be an inspiring and timeless classic. Its historical context and the compelling true story are frequently highlighted as major strengths.

Awards & Accolades

Won 2 Academy Awards (Best Actor for Gary Cooper, Best Film Editing) and nominated for 11 others, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. Named by the American Film Institute as one of the greatest films of all time.

Fun Fact

Gary Cooper's portrayal of Alvin C. York was so authentic that York himself felt Cooper was a better actor than he was a soldier, and he reportedly visited the set frequently to offer Cooper advice on how to 'walk and talk like a hillbilly'.

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TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Alvin York (Gary Cooper) likes to work hard and play hard amidst the Tennessee backwoods, despite the warnings of the well meaning pastor (Walter Brennan) and the stoic observations of his mother (Margaret Wycherly). Then he starts to take ...
barrymost

barrymost

To summarize (which is quite a task, since this is a very detailed, comprehensive, and well-done biopic), Gary Cooper plays one of the greatest and most beloved heroes of the First World War: backwoods sharpshooter, Alvin C. York. Hailing f...
John Chard

John Chard

Just like a turkey shoot! Alvin York of Tennessee was a simple backwoods farm boy who liked a drink and a scrap, then one day, fuelled by drink and anger in his heart, an event gave him religion and a new found respect for life. Howeve...