Sergeant York

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Sergeant York

Directed by	Howard Hawks
Produced by	Howard Hawks, Jesse L. Lasky, Hal B. Wallis
Written by	Harry Chandlee, Abem Finkel, John Huston, Howard Koch
Starring	Gary Cooper
Distributed by	Warner Brothers
Release date(s)	July 2, 1941 (USA)
Running time	134 min
Language	English
Budget	$1,400,000 (estimated)
IMDb profile

For the unsuccessful U.S. weapon system, see M247 Sergeant York.

Sergeant York is a 1941 biographical film about the life of Sergeant Alvin York, the most decorated American soldier of World War I. It stars Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie, George Tobias, Stanley Ridges, Margaret Wycherly, Ward Bond, Noah Beery, Jr., June Lockhart and Dickie Moore. It was directed by Howard Hawks, and was the highest-grossing film of the year.

The movie was adapted by Harry Chandlee, Sam Cowan (uncredited), Abem Finkel, John Huston and Howard Koch from the diary of Alvin York as edited by Tom Skeyhill. Alvin York was originally against the idea of making a movie of his experiences. When World War II broke out, York allowed the government to produce his biography on the condition that Gary Cooper played him.

It won Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Gary Cooper) and Best Film Editing and was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Walter Brennan), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Margaret Wycherly), Best Art Direction-Interior Decoration, Black-and-White, Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Best Director, Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic Picture, Best Picture, Best Sound, Recording and Best Writing, Original Screenplay.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Alvin York (Gary Cooper), a poor Tennessee hillbilly, is drafted into the army for World War I. At first, he tries to get out as a conscientious objector due to his religious beliefs, but a sympathetic commanding officer persuades him to stay, though York still doubts he can kill someone who has not done him any harm. During basic training, his superiors find out that he is a phenomenal marksman and promote him to Corporal.

His unit is shipped out to Europe and participates in an attack. Pinned down by murderous German fire and seeing his friends being shot down all around him, his self-doubt disappears. He works his way around behind German lines and shoots with such deadly effect that the Germans surrender in droves. He and the handful of other survivors take back 132 prisoners. York becomes a national hero and is awarded the Medal of Honor.