Sergeant York (1941)
- Starring:
- Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, (more)
- Director(s):
- Howard Hawks
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- NR
- Format(s):
- DVD, (View All Versions)
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Synopsis of Sergeant York
When World War I hero Alvin York agreed to sell the movie rights to his life story to Warner Bros., it was on three conditions: (1) That the film contains no phony heroics, (2) that Mrs.York not be played by a Hollywood "glamour girl" and (3) That Gary Cooper portray York on screen. All three conditions were met, and the result is one of the finest and most inspirational biographies ever committed to celluloid. When the audience first meets young farmer Alvin York (Cooper), he's the cussin'est, hell-raisin'est critter in the entire Tennessee Valley. All of this changes when York is struck by lighting during a late-night rainstorm. Chalking up the bolt from the blue as a message from God, York does a complete about-face and finds Religion, much to the delight of local preacher Rosier Pile (Walter Brennan). Despite plenty of provocation, York vows never to get angry at anyone ever again, determining to be a good husband and provider for his sweetheart Gracie Williams (Joan Leslie). When America goes to war in 1917, York elects not to answer the call when drafted, declaring himself a conscientious objector. Forced to go to boot camp, he proves himself a born leader, yet still he balks at the thought of killing anyone. York's understanding commanding officer Major Buxton (Stanley Ridges) slowly convinces the young pacifist that violence is sometimes the only way to defend Democracy. Later on, while serving with the AEF in the Argonne Forest, Sergeant York sees several of his buddies, including his Bronxite best pal Pusher Ross (George Tobias), killed in an enemy ambush. His anger aroused, York personally kills 25 German soldiers, then single-handedly captures 132 prisoners. As a result, York becomes the most decorated hero of WW1, celebrated by no less than General John J. Pershing as "the greatest civilian soldier" of the war. The film won Gary Cooper his first Academy Award, and also picked up an Oscar for Best Film Editing. Not surprisingly, it ended up as the highest-grossing film of 1941. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 134 mins
Complete Cast of Sergeant York
- Gary Cooper - Sgt. Alvin C. York
- Joan Leslie - Gracie Williams
- Margaret Wycherly - Mother York
- George Tobias - Michael T. "Pusher" Ross
- June Lockhart - Rosie York
- Clem Bevans - Zeke
- David Bruce - Bert E. Thomas
- Joe Sawyer - Sgt. Early
- Robert Porterfield - Zeb Andrews
- Arthur Ayleswofth - Marty, Bartender
- Lucia Carroll - Saloon Girl
- Clyde Cook - British Soldier
- Si Jenks - Bit part
- Theodore Von Eltz - Prison Camp Commander
- Jack Pennick - Corporal Cutting
- Selmar Jackson - Gen. Duncan
- Walter Sande - Sergeant
- William Haade - Card Player
- Victor Kilian - Andrews
- Frank McGlynn, Sr. - Farmer
- Joseph W. Girard - Gen. John Pershing
- Charles B. Middleton - Mountaineer
- Frank Faylen - Butt Boy
- Guy Wilkerson - Tom Carver
- Frank Wilcox - Sergeant
- Gig Young - Soldier
- Charles Drake - Scorer
- Lane Chandler - Corporal Savage
- Frank Orth - Drummer
- Lee "Lasses" White - Luke, the Target Keeper
- Charles Trowbridge - Cordell Hull
- Walter Brennan - Pastor Rosier Pile
- Ward Bond - Ike Botkin
- Stanley Ridges - Maj. Buxton
- Noah Beery, Jr. - Buck Lipscomb
- Dickie Moore - George York
- Harvey Stephens - Capt. Danforth
- Charles Esmond - German Major
- Pat Flaherty - Sgt. Harry Parsons
- Erville Alderson - Nate Tompkins
- Tully Marshall - Uncle Lige
- Howard Da Silva - Lem
- Elisha Cook, Jr. - Piano Player
- Jean del Val - Marshal Foch
- Murray Alper - Gunnery Spotter
- Rita La Roy - Saloon Girl
- Donald Douglas - Capt. Tillman
- Russell Hicks - General
- Edward Keane - Oscar of the Waldorf
- Ray Teal - Bit part
- Douglas Wood - New York Spokesman
- Creighton Hale - AP Man
- Frank Marlowe - Beardsley
- Jane Isbell - Gracie's Sister
- Kit Guard - Bit part
- James Anderson - Eb
- Jo Gilbert - Fat Woman
- Roland Drew - Officer
- George Irving - Harrison
- Gaylord "Steve" Pendleton - Scorer
- Kay Sutton - Saloon Girl
- Director(s):
- Howard Hawks
- Writer(s):
- John Huston, Howard Koch, Abem Finkel
- Producer(s):
- Hal B. Wallis, Howard Hawks, Jesse Lasky
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- NR(Mild Violence, War Violence)
- Categories:
- War
- 1941 - Film Daily - 10 Best Films
- 1941 - National Board of Review - Best Acting
- 1941 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Actor
- 1941 - New York Times - 10 Best Films
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- Subtitles:
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