CONSENSUS #45 - Sergeant York (1941)

SYNOPSIS:   "Sergeant York" is a biopic about the most decorated American soldier of WWI. The movie covers his wild and wooly teenage hillbilly days, his religious conversion, his attempt to attain conscientious objector status, and his exploits on the Western Front.  It’s big set piece reenacts York’s (Gary Cooper) Medal of Honor winning exploit.

BACK-STORY:  “Sergeant York” is one of the great American classic war movies.  It was directed by Howard Hawks (“Air Force”,  the original “Dawn Patrol”)  and starred the biggest Hollywood star of that time – Gary Cooper.  It was the first major American biopic that told the story of a living person.  The desire to avoid law suits and controversy led to great efforts by the studio to keep the film accurate and authentic.  Of course, the main effort was to keep Alvin York happy.  York (true to his portrayal at the end of the movie) was not interested in taking advantage of his fame.  However, persistence on the part of producer Jesse Lasky eventually wore York down.  York drove a hard bargain and insisted on veto power over the screenplay and would accept only Cooper playing him.  The movie was a huge success and was the highest grossing film of 1941.  (The studio insisted on the outrageously high ticket price of $2.20!)  The movie was also critically acclaimed and garnered eleven Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Actor (Cooper over Welles in “Citizen Kane”) and editing.

TRIVIA:  wikipedia, imdb, TCM

1.  It is based on York’s diary.  It took five writers to do the screenplay. One was John Huston.

2.  York did not want the movie made because he did not want the added fame.  He agreed after producer Jesse Lansky convinced him to do it, but York insisted on three things.  1.  His profits be put into the creation of a Bible school.  2.  His wife had to be portrayed by an actress that did not smoke and had no “oomph” (aimed at Ann Sheridan)  Jane Russell was considered!  They settled on the wholesome sixteen year old Joan Leslie.  3.  Only Gary Cooper could portray him.

Lansky sent a telegram to Cooper and signed it York.

3.  Cooper won the Best Actor Oscar and the film also won for Editing.  It was nominated for Picture (losing to “How Green Was My Valley”), Director (Howard Hawks), Supporting Actor (Walter Brennan), and Supporting Actress (Margaret Wycherly).  It was Brennan’s only loss in his four nominations for Best Supporting Actor.  It was also nominated for Original Screenplay, Art Direction,  Cinematography, Sound Recording, and Music (Max Steiner).

4.  It is #57 on AFIs list of greatest movies.  York is #35 on the list of heroes.

5.  It was the highest grossing movie of 1941 and one of the highest grossing movies of all time if you adjust for inflation.  It was often reshown in theaters during the war either to replace flops or in conjunction with bond sales or scrap drives.

6.  York visited the set several times.  The first time was so overcome when a crew member asked him how many Germans he had killed.  York began to sob and then threw up.  Later, York insisted that the man not be fired.

7.  It was Gary Cooper’s favorite film.  He considered it his contribution to the war since he was too old to serve.

8.  York was actually a corporal at the time of his Medal of Honor exploit.

9.  Incredibly, the movie reverses the most famous moment in the Medal of Honor action.  York actually shot the charging Germans from last to first (like he learned from turkey hunting days).

Belle and Blade  =  3.0

Brassey’s              =  4.0

Video Hound       =  4.4

War Movies         =  3.8

Military History  =  #19

Channel 4             =  no

Film Site                =  yes

101 War Movies  =  yes

Rotten Tomatoes  =  no 

OPINION:  “Sergeant York” could not have been much better considering when it was made.  It is definitely in the top rank of black and white war films.  It is technically masterful.  The sets are obviously painstakingly prepared.  The no man’s land set was constructed by 300 workers and entailed the use of five tons of dynamite and the defoliating of 400 trees.  The indoor sets are particularly commendatory.  Look around the rooms for the little details on the walls.  The lighting is often mentioned by critics.  The score by Max Steiner makes use of patriotic songs, folk tunes, and hymns.  The acting is a strength.  Cooper is at his best and said it was his favorite role (ironically, he was reluctant to play it).  He is a master of underacting.  The screenplay is a marvel of achieved themes.  The film can be viewed as two parts.  The first part takes York from disdain for religion to Bible-thumping .  In general, the dynamic is between the religious people (exemplified by Mrs. York and the Pastor) and the hell-raisers (York and his compadres).  The second half has him make the shift from fundamental belief in the Old Testament to love of country, duty, and honor. 

                Does “Sergeant York” belong in the top fifty?  It depends on how you define “greatest”.  If you read it as “most important”, then you can make a case for it.  It’s effect went beyond simple entertainment.  It is a very entertaining film, but it also tells an important tale of a warrior that deserved the coverage (similar to Audie Murphy’s “To Hell and Back”).  More significantly, it played a role in American intervention in WWII.  The most popular film of 1941 encouraged Americans to see the positive aspects of involvement in the world conflict.  The attack on Pearl Harbor seemed to confirm that theme.