"Sergeant York" is a very good, if sometimes unintentionally humorous, biography of Alvin York. York was one of the most famous heroes of World War I, killing 20 Germans and capturing another 130 single-handedly.
Released at a time when the United States was preparing for war, "Sergeant York" reassured the public that you should serve your country during war, that the Germans deserve a good beating, and that even Joe Sixpack can become a stirring war hero. The film also has the message that religion can turn around a failed life, and that religion and defense of your country do not conflict.
Alvin York (Gary Cooper) begins the film as a hard drinking Tennessee hellraiser, trying to scratch out a meager living as a farmer on bad land with his mother (Margaret Wycherly) and stone-faced younger brother (Dickie Moore). After Alvin falls for perky Joan Leslie, he makes a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to obtain good "bottom" farmland. Helped by preacher Walter Brennan, he turns to religion and his fortunes immediately improve.
When the U.S. enters WWI, Alvin at first resists the draft because "killin' is aginst [sic] the Bible". But once he is fighting the "krauts", the former pacifist seems to enjoy picking off the Germans, even boasting that it is "just like [shooting] a flock of turkeys". Alvin's war heroics play like a ten year old boy's fantasies, and in the face of massive acclaim afterwards, he still retains his 'Aw, Shucks' demeanor.
Cooper is perhaps too old for the role, but he still deserved his Best Actor Oscar. Cooper gives York a self-effacing, rural Southern character that seems credible. Cooper is helped by a fine script, which was co-written by John Huston and was nominated for Best Original Screenplay. Howard Hawks was nominated for Best Director, Sol Polito was nominated for Best B & W Cinematography, and Walter Brennan and Margaret Wycherly were respectively nominated for Best Supporting Actor and Actress.
Sometimes the film is so corny that it seems ripe for parody, like an unintentional comedy. But the quality of the script and production values is very high, and Cooper gives a winning performance. (72/100)
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