Sergeant York

Released Sep 27, 1941

2 hr. 14 min.

War

List

88%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

87%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

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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

Audience Member

At the height of World War II, America needed a good shot of patriotism. "Sergeant York" was just that movie. It became the biggest film of the year. The story of a God fearing country yoke from Tennessee who became a war hero during World War I. It's an interesting story, that is surprising true. Gary Cooper excelled at playing the simple, every man is what America needs. He is a bumpkin, but not simple-minded. He is thoughtful and holds tight to his beliefs. Directed by Howard Hawkes, the film is rich and well shot as one would expect from Hawkes. It's over-the-top propaganda becomes too much however. The score of patriots greatest hits sounds too bombastic and obvious today. It's easy to admire the filmmaking and performances, especially from Cooper. But the film doesn't date well. It's interesting to see how it spoke to it's audience and the country at the time, but it misses being a true classic that it could have been.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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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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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

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

Full Review

Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

Clearly American wartime propaganda...but Cooper's understated performance grounds the film and delivers some solid emotional moments in a film that desperately needs some tightening.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 9, 2020

Full Review

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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
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
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)

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