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Sergeant York Overview:

Sergeant York (1941) was a Action - Black-and-white Film directed by Howard Hawks and produced by Howard Hawks, Hal B. Wallis and Jesse L. Lasky.

SYNOPSIS

This is one of the greatest of war sagas because it is the true story of a simple man who accomplishes extraordinary feats through quiet determination and faith. Cooper deservedly won acclaim for his portrayal of the WWI hero (York himself insisted that Cooper take the role if his story was filmed) from rural east Tennessee. At first hot-headed, with fast fists and no direction, Cooper first changes his life with hard work meant to earn land for a farm that will win him the hand of Leslie. He then takes a devout turn after divine intervention prevents him from murdering his rival for Leslie's affections. Reluctantly enlisted in WWI after denied conscientious objector status, Cooper performs heroic feats motivated by his desire to stop a German machine-gun nest from killing. Upon his return, Cooper is greeted with parades, Leslie's love, and a farm of his own presented by the people of Tennessee, bounty Cooper ascribes to God's grace. A compelling story, expertly directed by Hawks, of inner strength from inspired purpose first seen in York's personal struggles and then his actions on behalf of his comrades.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion)

Sergeant York was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2008.

Academy Awards 1941 --- Ceremony Number 14 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorGary CooperWon
Best Supporting ActorWalter BrennanNominated
Best Supporting ActressMargaret WycherlyNominated
Best Art DirectionArt Direction: John Hughes; Interior Decoration: Fred MacLeanNominated
Best CinematographySol PolitoNominated
Best DirectorHoward HawksNominated
Best Film EditingWilliam HolmesWon
Best Music - ScoringMax SteinerNominated
Best WritingAbem Finkel, Harry Chandlee, Howard Koch, John HustonNominated
Best PictureWarner Bros.Nominated
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Sergeant York BlogHub Articles:

Sergeant York (1941)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Nov 11, 2013 From 4 Star Films

Starring a wonderful cast including Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, and Joan Leslie with director Howard Hawks, this is a feel-good film. Alvin C. York (Cooper) lives in a small town in Tennessee where he works hard but also drinks a lot. Over time however he becomes a devout Christian and falls for a ... Read full article

Sergeant York (1941)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Nov 11, 2013 From 4 Star Films

Starring a wonderful cast including Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, and Joan Leslie with director Howard Hawks, this is a feel-good film. Alvin C. York (Cooper) lives in a small town in Tennessee where he works hard but also drinks a lot. Over time however he becomes a devout Christian and falls for a ... Read full article

Sergeant York

By Alyson on Mar 31, 2011 From The Best Picture Project

I hate to make this comparison, but you know that film within Inglorious Basterds, Nation’s Pride?  Today, this seems like the friendlier, American version, only instead of two hours of just patriotic shooting, we get the true story of a young man from rural Tennessee reformed by hard work and re... Read full article

Sergeant York(1941).

By Dawn on Feb 18, 2011 From Noir and Chick Flicks

Sergeant York(1941). Biographical film about the life of Alvin York, the most-decorated American soldier of World War I. It was directed by Howard Hawks. The film was adapted by Harry Chandlee, Abem Finkel, John Huston, Howard Koch, and Sam Cowan (uncredited) from the diary of Alvin York as edited b... Read full article

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Quotes from Sergeant York:

Mother York: Don't rightly know, Child. Don't rightly know.
Alvin: I ain't a-goin' to war. War's killin', and the book's agin' killin! So war is agin' the book!
Drummer: [remarking on the area's isolation] What I'd like to know is, how do you fellows get into this valley?
Zeke: We was born here!
[Alvin puts a handful of dirt onto a plate at the table and pushes it toward his mother]
Mother York: That there's bottom land soil, ain't it? Queer how the folks on the bottom looks down on the folks on the top. It was always that way. No changin' it!
Alvin: I'm gonna *get* us a piece of bottom land!
Mother York: Your pa set out to get a piece of bottom land once. Nary a man ever tried any harder! Liked to *kill* hisself tryin'!
Pastor Rosier Pile: See that rock, Alvin? You've been plowin' around that rock a heap o' years.
Alvin: Sure have!
Pastor Rosier Pile: Did you ever think when you start plowin' yer furrows crooked, it's mighty hard to get 'em straight again?
Alvin: I never thought on it much.
Pastor Rosier Pile: It's that-a-way, I reckon, with other things 'sides plowin'. Satan's got ya by the shirt tail, Alvin!
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Facts from Sergeant York
When this movie was made, America was not taking part in World War II. At this time a number of Hollywood studios were pro-American involvement in the war. This movie is one of a number of films made during the late 1930s and early 1940s that represented pro-American intervention in the war. These films include: A Yank in the R.A.F., Man Hunt, Foreign Correspondent, The Mortal Storm, Confessions of a Nazi Spy.
Gary Cooper's acceptance speech typified so many of the actor's performances when he said "It was Sergeant Alvin York who won this award; Shucks, I've been in this business sixteen years and sometimes dreamed I might get one of these things. That's all I can say! Funny, when I was dreaming, I always made a good speech." As he left the stage, he forgot the Oscar on the podium.
The film turned out to be a highly accurate representation of history, mainly because of the studio's fear of lawsuits. Alvin C. York and several of the townsmen in Tennessee, including the pastor who counseled him, refused to sign releases unless the film was portrayed accurately.
Principal photography occurred between February and late April 1941. The film was criticized by pacifists for its pro-war stance.
A press release dated July 2, 1941 states that the film was the first motion picture to be made into a stage play. It was transcribed by Robert Porterfield, who made his debut in this film.
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