Sergeant York

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Sergeant York

1941

2h 14m

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

26 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Prize-winning Tennessee marksman Alvin York (Gary Cooper), a recent convert to Christianity, finds himself torn between his non-violent beliefs and his desire to serve his country when recruited to fight in World War I. Kindly Major Buxton (Stanley Ridges) convinces York to engage in battle, where the pacifist's prowess with a rifle earns him honors as he continues to struggle with his decision to kill. Howard Hawks directs this adaptation of the real York's memoirs.

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Variety Staff

Variety

05/27/2008

For Gary Cooper the role is made to order.

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Bosley Crowther

New York Times

05/20/2003

4/5

The performance of Gary Cooper in the title role holds the picture together magnificently, and even the most unfavorable touches are made palatable because of him.

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

01/01/2000

The first half is quite good, documenting York's rural upbringing with great simplicity and charm. But the second part -- the war -- degenerates quickly and grotesquely.

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Nick Rogers

Midwest Film Journal

Jul 7

2.5/5

It’s a handsomely mounted dive into the shallows, with the full complement of Warner Brothers' technical polish and the Howard Hawks touch of production panache. But old-time religion is hardly the only thing the film is full of.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

09/16/2024

4/10

One of the phoniest of all war pictures, exhibiting limited entertainment value, blandly stereotypical personas, a routine construction (and a painfully overlong runtime), and minimal genuineness.

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Pare Lorentz

McCall's

10/30/2023

It is an uneven production, and no one was comfortable with the locale. Yet it is a strong picture, and an honest one.

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Chris B

@Papa13070 2d

I love this movie. It is not just about war, but about a man who struggled against impossible odds to just be a good man and make a living. Gary Cooper won a golden statue for his portrayal of Alvin York. He made this beloved character from the hills come alive in a away that I don't believe anyone else could. I feel as if I know York personally after seeing this film. But it wasn't just Cooper that made this film what it was. Walter Brennon, with three Oscars to his name at the time, played what is probably his best role as the simple preacher. Margaret Wycherly as Mother York was equally good as a simple woman who tried to guide her family. These were simple people and their goodness came through in this movie. Howard Hawks (Rio Bravo, Red River) was at his directorial zenith with this film. It was a masterpiece. Everything was just top notch: sound, cinematography, score, art direction; it was just a beautiful work of art. Highly Recommended!!!

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Joe R

@RT63027697 Oct 31

Awesome movie for it's time and even now. It's definitely a must watch movie, especially for every young person today. A movie about real life , based on a true story, that will lift you up and make you feel better about life....

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harwee h

@RT06454255 07/25/2024

Excellent Hawks film, he was nominated here for his direction.

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Charley J

@RT75179717 03/18/2024

One of the best true story Christian movie, I have ever seen.

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Leaburn O

@RT35452347 06/22/2023

Rip roaring stuff about a ridiculously simple minded good egg soldier who was an American hero. Propaganda puff piece at a time of war. It's all a bit too simple but he's a jolly good fellow and the good vibes carry us through quite easily.

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Chris M

@RT21954632 09/15/2022

I had no expectations one way or the other. But I found myself enjoying this more than I thought I would. True that there are character issues and like a lot of movies from the time the pacing drags too much at times. Plus a couple of lines of dialog from supporting characters came out less than stellar. But once it finally gets going it is really worth the wait through the draggy talkie parts. Slow but still pretty good.

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Howard Hawks

Director

Gary Cooper

Alvin C. York

Walter Brennan

Pastor Rosier Pile

Joan Leslie

Gracie Williams

George Tobias

"Pusher" Ross

Stanley Ridges

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Synopsis

Prize-winning Tennessee marksman Alvin York (Gary Cooper), a recent convert to Christianity, finds himself torn between his non-violent beliefs and his desire to serve his country when recruited to fight in World War I. Kindly Major Buxton (Stanley Ridges) convinces York to engage in battle, where the pacifist's prowess with a rifle earns him honors as he continues to struggle with his decision to kill. Howard Hawks directs this adaptation of the real York's memoirs.

Director: Howard Hawks
Producer: Howard Hawks, Jesse L. Lasky, Hal B. Wallis
Screenwriter: Harry Chandlee, Abem Finkel, John Huston, Howard Koch
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Genre: War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 27, 1941, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 2h 14m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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