Sergeant York

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Sergeant York

Released Sep 27, 1941

2h 14m

War

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Popcornmeter

85%

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26 Reviews

86%

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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

For Gary Cooper the role is made to order.

May 27, 2008

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Rated: 4/5

Feb 8, 2004

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

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.

Rated: 4/5

May 20, 2003

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

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.

Rated: 4/10

Sep 16, 2024

Full Review

Pare Lorentz

McCall's

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

Oct 30, 2023

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Gary Cooper delivers a marvelous performance as the acclaimed World War 1 hero in Sergeant York but the film is propaganda of the era.

Rated: 4/5

Nov 11, 2020

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harwee h

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

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/25/24

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Charley J

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/18/24

Full Review

Leaburn O

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/22/23

Full Review

Paul S

Good classic movie! When movies were movies!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/26/23

Full Review

Gene H

Excellent classic old-school film. Some scenes cheesy by today's standards, but actually well done considering the technology of the day.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/29/22

Full Review

Chris M

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/15/22

Full Review

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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

Major Buxton

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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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