Sergeant York 1941

type: Movie

language: English

duration: 134 min

genre: western

theme: biographical

director: Howard Hawks

Score: 6 / 10

Sergeant York is a 1941 American biographical film about the life of Alvin C. York, one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War I. Directed by Howard Hawks, the film stars Gary Cooper in the title role, and was based on York's diary, as edited by Tom Skeyhill, and adapted by Harry Chandlee, Abem Finkel, John Huston, Howard E. Koch, and Sam Cowan (uncredited). York refused, several times, to authorize a film version of his life story, but finally yielded to persistent efforts to finance the creation of an interdenominational Bible school. The story that York insisted on Cooper for the title role comes from a telegram that producer Jesse L. Lasky wrote to Cooper pleading with him to accept the part, to which he signed York's name.

Plot

Before America's entry into World War I, Alvin York is a poor, young farmer in rural Tennessee, living with his widowed mother, sister, and younger brother. He spends his time fighting and getting drunk with friends. Alvin's goal is to purchase a piece of farmland, fertile "bottomland". He works hard to acquire the price for the land, and is given an extension by the owner. His sharpshooting skills enable him to raise the money needed, but the owner reneges, making Alvin seek revenge, only for him and his mule to be struck by lightning, prompting him to rejoin his church.

Awards

Cast

More details

author	Abem Finkel Harry Chandlee Howard Koch John Huston
award	Academy Award for Best Actor Academy Award for Best Film Editing
contentLocation	Appalachian Mountains Tennessee
director	Howard Hawks
editor	William Holmes
genre	western
keywords	biblical prohibition against killing capture christianity commanding officer conscientious objector enfilade enfilade and defilade fight german soldier his church kill lightning meuse–argonne offensive moral conflict national hero prisoner of war read return home sharpshoot thou shalt not kill wash widowed mother world war i
musicBy	Max Steiner
nomination	Academy Award for Best Actor Academy Award for Best Art Direction, Black and White Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Black-and-White Academy Award for Best Director Academy Award for Best Film Editing Academy Award for Best Original Dramatic Score Academy Award for Best Picture Academy Award for Best Sound Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay
producer	Hal B. Wallis Howard Hawks Jesse L. Lasky
productionCompany	Warner Bros.
publisher	Warner Bros.
theme	biographical war