Sergeant York

Sergeant York.
1941 Warner Bros. Pictures & Turner Entertainment.
Starring: Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie, George Tobias, Stanley Ridges, Margaret Wycherly, Dickie Moore
Director: Howard Hawks
Available at Amazon as a two-disc special edition, which is also included in the Gary Cooper Signature Collection box set.

Howard Hawks directed a biographical film about the life of Alvin York, the most decoraded American soldier of World War I. Sergeant York was also 1941's highest grossing film. York himself was against his life being turned into a movie, but relented after World War II broke out, requesting that Gary Cooper portray him.

In the film, Alvin York is a poor Tennessee hillbilly, and susceptible to drinking and fighting, but he is still an exceptional marksman. Soon afterwards, Alvin has a religious epiphany, and he turns his life around with help from Pastor Rosier Pile (Brennan). After being drafted into the army in time for the first world war, Alvin tries to avoid induction as a conscientious objector due to his religious beliefs, but this is turned down. Alvin reluctantly reports to basic training, where he is promoted to corporal after his superiors discover his marksman skills.

York still wants nothing to do with the army or killing enemy soldiers, and a sympathetic commanding officer lectures him by reading text from an American history book. The officer gives York temporary leave to go home and think about fighting to save lives, and York takes the history book with him. If Alvin still doesn't want to fight after his leave, the officer says he will discharge him from the military. Alvin reads the book and changes his mind, returning to duty, but still doubts he could ever kill someone because of his interpretation of the bible.

Shipped out to Europe, Alvin's unit participates in an attack, where they are quickly overwhelmed by the Germans. Alvin's self-doubt disappears as he finds himself in charge of the surviving soldiers. Working his way behind German lines, Alvin is effective enough that the enemy surrenders. Alvin captures a German officer to force the Germans still fighting to surrender, ultimately taking 132 prisoners, earning the Medal of Honor after the war ends.

Highly recommended, although like most biographical movies, not entirely accurate.