Sergeant York (B or 3/4 stars)
'Sergeant York' (directed by Howard Hawks) tells the story of the most decorated American soldier of WWI, Alvin York (Gary Cooper) ... but it is more than just that. The 1st ½ of the film deals with the titular character's youth in the Tennessee hills. He is a wild young buck that loves to fight, drink & raise Cain. His mom rules her family with an iron fist. i.e., in one early scene, she sends Alvin's younger brother to retrieve him from a bar at gun point.
Alvin's life starts to change when he meets & falls for Gracie (sweet Joan Leslie). Before long, he tries to buy some land to impress Gracie but learns it has already been sold to his rival for her affections. Alvin proceeds to get mad drunk {literally}, but fate steps in in the form of lightning; taking it as a sign from above & changes his wayward ways. He quits alcohol, calms down & even starts going to church. When WWI arrives, he is dead set against it & tries vehemently to get out of serving by declaring himself a conscientious objector. But Alvin is denied that status & gets drafted, anyway.
The 2nd ½ of the film deals with York's time in the military & WWI, itself; where he goes on to capture over 130 German soldiers almost single-handedly. The film ends with him receiving a plethora of awards for bravery including the Congressional Medal of Honor & the Distinguished Service Cross. Alvin York returns home as a triumphant hero for all to admire.
Howard Hawks assuredly directs; keeping the story moving along at a good clip - although it does try some patience at 134 minutes in length. Gary Cooper is very good as a man that goes from saloon-bound hillbilly to American icon. There is a great - & pivotal - scene where Alvin reconciles his pacifist beliefs with his patriotic duty; Cooper pays it very well, there. He exudes such a sense of honor, dignity & decency as Sgt. York that it is understandable why the real Alvin York insisted that Cooper play him; even if he WAS a good 15-20 yrs. older than the actual man -- but hey, this is Hollywood. Cooper is a fairly taciturn performer anyway, but it serves him best in the final wordless scene where he sees his home again; great moment.
Funny, though this is a widely accepted Oscar win for Cooper, I actually preferred him that same year in Meet John Doe with Barbara Stanwyck. But Sgt. York was the bigger, more successful Academy film; thusly, he was rewarded for that. The supporting cast impresses, as well; enjoyed Ward Bond, Howard Da Silva, Walter Brennan {as the town parson/storekeeper} & Margaret Wycherly as Alvin's mother.
'Seargeant York' was the highest grossing film of 1941, which aided its huge Academy Award nomination haul. It was also playing in theaters when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor; fascinating that the film's unabashed patriotism for WWI would help recruit soldiers for WWII. Cooper stated that this film was his personal favorite. Because he could not enter WWII due to an old hip injury, he considered 'Sergeant York' to be his sole contribution to the war effort. For whatever reason, I was not bowled over by this film upon my 1st viewing. It is clearly good, with exceptional technical aspects & those solid performances. Perhaps a 2nd viewing would help me. Despite my not outright loving it, I still acknowledge its status as an American classic.
Alvin's life starts to change when he meets & falls for Gracie (sweet Joan Leslie). Before long, he tries to buy some land to impress Gracie but learns it has already been sold to his rival for her affections. Alvin proceeds to get mad drunk {literally}, but fate steps in in the form of lightning; taking it as a sign from above & changes his wayward ways. He quits alcohol, calms down & even starts going to church. When WWI arrives, he is dead set against it & tries vehemently to get out of serving by declaring himself a conscientious objector. But Alvin is denied that status & gets drafted, anyway.
The 2nd ½ of the film deals with York's time in the military & WWI, itself; where he goes on to capture over 130 German soldiers almost single-handedly. The film ends with him receiving a plethora of awards for bravery including the Congressional Medal of Honor & the Distinguished Service Cross. Alvin York returns home as a triumphant hero for all to admire.
Howard Hawks assuredly directs; keeping the story moving along at a good clip - although it does try some patience at 134 minutes in length. Gary Cooper is very good as a man that goes from saloon-bound hillbilly to American icon. There is a great - & pivotal - scene where Alvin reconciles his pacifist beliefs with his patriotic duty; Cooper pays it very well, there. He exudes such a sense of honor, dignity & decency as Sgt. York that it is understandable why the real Alvin York insisted that Cooper play him; even if he WAS a good 15-20 yrs. older than the actual man -- but hey, this is Hollywood. Cooper is a fairly taciturn performer anyway, but it serves him best in the final wordless scene where he sees his home again; great moment.
Funny, though this is a widely accepted Oscar win for Cooper, I actually preferred him that same year in Meet John Doe with Barbara Stanwyck. But Sgt. York was the bigger, more successful Academy film; thusly, he was rewarded for that. The supporting cast impresses, as well; enjoyed Ward Bond, Howard Da Silva, Walter Brennan {as the town parson/storekeeper} & Margaret Wycherly as Alvin's mother.
'Seargeant York' was the highest grossing film of 1941, which aided its huge Academy Award nomination haul. It was also playing in theaters when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor; fascinating that the film's unabashed patriotism for WWI would help recruit soldiers for WWII. Cooper stated that this film was his personal favorite. Because he could not enter WWII due to an old hip injury, he considered 'Sergeant York' to be his sole contribution to the war effort. For whatever reason, I was not bowled over by this film upon my 1st viewing. It is clearly good, with exceptional technical aspects & those solid performances. Perhaps a 2nd viewing would help me. Despite my not outright loving it, I still acknowledge its status as an American classic.