Sergeant York [VHS] [1941]: Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie, George Tobias, Stanley Ridges, Margaret Wycherly, Ward Bond, Noah Beery Jr., June Lockhart, Dickie Moore, Clem Bevans, Howard Da Silva, Howard Hawks, Abem Finkel, Alvin C. York, Harry Chandlee, Howard Koch, John Huston, Sam Cowan, Tom Skeyhill: Amazon.co.uk: Video

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Synopsis

The true story of a one-time hill-billy and pacifist Sergeant Alvin York who became a hero in the First World War by singlehandedly capturing 132 German soldiers. Gary Cooper won an Oscar for his performance.

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4.3 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect film to watch each and every Memorial Day, 27 Jul 2004

By	Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

Gary Cooper was 40 years old when he made "Sergeant York," and his Southern accent is weak at best, but those things do not end up detracting all that much from his performance or this film. Directed in 1941 by Howard Hawks, "Sergeant York" has strong propagandistic elements. A whiskey-drinking hell-raiser, Alvin C. York undergoes a religious conversation when lighting strikes his gun and almost kills him. His goal in life becomes getting himself a piece of bottom land so he can propose to Gracie Williams (Joan Leslie). Things go against him, but Alvin holds his temper and does what the Good Book tell him to do. Then World War I breaks out and Alvin is drafted. Unable to get status as a conscientious objector because of his religious beliefs, Alvin has to come to terms with the obligations of citizenship versus the dictates of scripture. The film is surprisingly even handed in showing Alvin debating the matter with his superiors. In the end he comes to the only conclusion possible for men of conscience forced to go to war: killing is justified to save lives.

On the Argonne Forest battlefield Alvin, made a corporal because of his marksmanship, becomes a hero when his unit is trapped and he single-handedly kills 25 and captures 132 prisoners. Called the "greatest civilian solider of the war" by General Pershing, York received the Medal of Honor, France's Croix de Guerre, and basically every high medal the Allies could bestow upon him. But while the film does a first-rate job of showing York's heroic exploits, ultimately it is more about the man that the solider. Cooper's sense of dignity is well-suited to the role, which gives more weight to York's life in the hills of Tennessee than to the war in Europe. What he learned back home clearly stands Alvin in good stead on the battlefield.

The supporting cast of "Sergeant York" is truly outstanding, with George Tobias as "Pusher" Ross, Ward Bond as Ike Botkin and Robert Porterfield as Zeb Andrews. Both Walter Brennan as Pastor Rosier Pile and Margaret Wycherly as Mother York received well deserved Oscar nominations in the supporting category. Brennan marvelously underplays his role as Alvin's spiritual leader while Wycherly is simply the anchor for the entire film. Mother York says little and moves slowly, but everything comes out through her eyes. The scene where Alvin finally gets home from the war and sees his mother at the train station is especially touching: his face lights up completely and her "I'm right glad to see you, son" is the equivalent of other people crying and screaming for joy. In addition to Cooper winning his first Oscar as Best Actor, William Holmes receives one for Film Editing. This is one of those movies I never get tired of seeing and it remains the ideal film to watch on Memorial Day.

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep thoughts and lots of surprises, 9 Dec 2002

By	bernie "xyzzy" (Arlington, Texas) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

The movie was well paces and had just the right people to play the characters. It was fun to watch how Alvin (Gary cooper) suddenly and progressively alters his look on life. He gives meaning to "I see the light".
I appreciated the scene where he is in on the mountain contemplating the dichotomy of life and defense. It has the same feel as in the movie "The Razors Edge" where Tyrone Powers contemplates being one with God.
Later it was fun to see how Alvin applied his turkey target skills. And asking people to take a few prisoners off his hands.
This is one of those movies that can use repeated viewing,

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Gary Cooper classic!, 26 Nov 2000

By A Customer

This film is based on a true story. Our hero sergeant York is a religious man that has to decide between his non violent religious beliefs and the call to defend his country. Gary Cooper always excels playing the simple down to earth man and this is no exception. The film is charming and delighful, but none the less gives account of a very brave man. Sergeant York was one of the most decorated soldiers of World War I. If you love war movies this is a must. If you love Gary Cooper this is a must. If you just love movies this is a must.