Sergeant York (1941)

Director:

Howard Hawks

Writers:

Abem Finkel (screenplay) &
Harry Chandlee (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

27 September 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History | War

Tagline:

America's Greatest Modern Hero! Timelier today than ever . . thrilling and inspiring story of the kind of men that America is made of!

Plot:

True story of a hillbilly sharpshooter drafted in WW1 despite his claim to be a pacifist, who ends up becoming a war hero.

Plot Keywords:

WWI | Turkey Shoot | Subway | Sunday School Teacher | Farm

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Gary Cooper	...	Alvin C. York
Walter Brennan	...	Pastor Rosier Pile
Joan Leslie	...	Gracie Williams
George Tobias	...	'Pusher' Ross
Stanley Ridges	...	Major 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	...	Captain Danforth
David Bruce	...	Bert Thomas

Runtime:

134 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | German

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Canada:PG (video rating) | Australia:G | Finland:K-16 | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | USA:Approved (PCA #7090)

Filming Locations:

Burro Flats, Simi Hills, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Because of the 1941 draft, the filmmakers had difficulty finding enough young male actors to play the soldiers and were forced to hire students from local universities.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the movie Sergeant York is presented the French 'Medaille militaire' by Marechal Foch and is shown already wearing the 'Croix de Guerre', however York was not awarded the 'Medaille militaire' by France. He did receive, though, the 'Legion d'honneur' and the 'Croix de Guerre'.

Quotes:

Alvin: Therefore, render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Sanford and Son: Sergeant Gork (#5.23)" (1976)

Soundtrack:

National Emblem

Garry Cooper + great script = Classic film

How does one define a classic film? It has been over 50 years since Sergeant York was made and It is still a joy to watch. Gary Cooper is, well, Gary Cooper. A Hollywood Icon and arguably one of the best actors ever. He gives a memorable, true to life portrayal of this simple back woods man thrust into a situation seemingly beyond his ability to comprehend. Alvin York was not an educated man, not a worldly man and not a great student of philosophy. Armed only with his dog-eared Bible and his own beliefs of right and wrong he must somehow balance his religious faith, his patriotic duty and his duty to his comrades. The script is well written. The performances are superb. This movie has action and humor plus a warmth that touches one and all. Sergeant York stands the test of time. Whatever your definition, this is a classic.