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Visitors Review

2013-05-18 04:21:26

WHEN OSCAR MET COOPER....A TIMELESS TRIUMPH!

For those who wonder why it took so long for SERGEANT YORK to make his journey to DVD, all you have to be familiar with is how AWFUL this movie looked when TCM ran it on TV. Like so many older Warner pictures, it needed to be restored, and over and over again, the grand old studio founded by the brothers Warner is restoring is glittering gems for DVD to look and sound terrific. Now GARY COOPER and SGT. YORK will join the many Warner masterworks that have been filling my video shelf for the last several years. It's also wonderful that WB is giving SGT. YORK the 2-disc treatment, with a docu on Cooper as well as one on the making of the film.Because I'm such a Gary Cooper fan, I'm going for the box, as it were...THE GARY COOPER SIGNATURE COLLECTION which has the equally masterful THE FOUNTAINHEAD, the exciting WRECK OF THE MARY DEARE, and the highly entertaining westerns DALLAS and SPRINGFIELD RIFLE. I was beginning to think that WB had forgotten about Gary Cooper, with only FRIENDLY PERSUASION and LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON available.Now, they've righted their wrong, and brought us another slew of great, with the message of SERGEANT YORK more timely than ever.

2013-05-17 07:55:48

Sergeant York

This review is from: Sergeant York (Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD) This movie came to me in new like condition.I remember watching this movie in the shows when I was very young.It stood out in my mind then and, it did again when I watched it at home.It is a great movie and I really think all baby boomers would want to own this movie.It is a classic and I am glad to add it to my collection.

2013-05-01 21:40:31

America's Finest

This review is from: Sergeant York (Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD) Sgt. York is one of those bygone movies of yesteryear that does what most movies these days do not: reflects wholesome family values based on a true American hero. While parts of the movie are embellished, the core story is the true story of a man who was at once Christian, American, and heroic. Cooper's presentation is perfect, and the supporting cast excellent foils.

Steffi_P 2013-05-01 07:11:03

"Like sunrise"

Back in the classic era, motion pictures tended to be a lot shorterthan they are now. Even after the three-hour-forty-minute behemoth Gonewith the Wind (1939), few movies ran for more than two hours. For the1941 production of Sergeant York to come in at two-hours-and-ten, youcan be sure it was warranted.This is the true tale of Alvin York, one of the most decorated soldiersof the First World War. And yet this is not really a war picture.Instead it depicts the incredible (and largely true) story of histransition from drunken, violent youth, to teetotal pacifist, toreluctant soldier and eventual war hero. It doesn't rush onto thebusiness of fighting – it gives equal weight to each portion of hisstory. We get to know and respect York, even when he is a hoodlum,which the screenplay does by putting him up against rivals like Zeb andgiving him struggles to route for him in. When he does go off to warhis actions, his expertise and his emotional response, are in contextand have far more impact. There's a clever bit in an early scene whenthe travelling salesman comes to town. Even though the war hasn'ttouched the characters' lives yet, we are reminded that it's going onby a prominent newspaper headline.York is portrayed by Gary Cooper, one of many classic actors who reallyonly ever played one type, but within that confinement could show awhole range of feelings and reactions. Here we see Cooper's simple,honest country boy type pushed to extremes. He seems simple and slow asthe emotions flow across his face like glaciers, but his genuinenessremains constant throughout, and his steady consistency conveys a sortof depth and intelligence that creeps up on you. An actor whoimmediately appears clever (Henry Fonda was considered) wouldn't havehad the same effect.Director Howard Hawks has become known of a maker of both action moviesand raucous comedies, but his style was always steady and thoughtful.Long takes abound in Sergeant York, often with the camera placedamongst people rather than to one side. There's also some wonderfulclassic Hollywood lighting to be seen here, as in the shot when Gracieruns over to kiss the hero as he's ploughing the land, a kind of fuzzysilver effect that you don't get in colour or even in modern black andwhite. The chiaroscuro lighting popular in the 50s is much praisedtoday, but with it we lost the soft beauty of these earlier pictures.Were this an original story for the screen it would appear far-fetched,but here it seems truth really is a little stranger than fiction. Thereare of course a number of fabrications; I'm sure York didn't reallyhave his gun struck by lightning, and it should be noted that inOctober 1918 the Germans knew they would soon be defeated and many ofthem were desperate to surrender. But it's not the romanticembroidering of Alvin York's tale that makes it seem plausible for thescreen, it's the rounded care and dedication that has been taken inconstructing the movie, the time given to making it feel true.

McQueenAdlerManganiello 2013-04-14 14:21:58

Excellent, inspirational film!

This film is one of the few films that's known to be completelyaccurate. And it's an excelelnt film. both as a film and as abiography. Mr. Cooper puts in a splendid, well deserved Best ActorOscar winning performance. He did Alvin York complete justice in hisbrilliant portrayal of him. In fact...Alvin York himself wanted Coop toplay him. I know York was honored with Coop's portrayal. York startedoff as a simple farm boy then became a hero. I truly do recommend thisfilm to anyone.Everything about this film is perfect: the script, the performances/thecast, the score and the direction.

2013-04-13 18:41:24

Great movie/great man

This review is from: Sergeant York [VHS] (VHS Tape) Although there were more than a few details of this movie that were not accurate, overall it is a wonderful piece. The stereotypical back-hills Tennessee accents were perhaps a bit much, but the real Alvin York didn't seem to complain when the movie was made (although he did chastize Gary Cooper for being photographed for a publicity shot holding a cigarette, something York would never do).The story is of a rough-necked young mountain man who finds religion right before WWI and then struggles with his conscience as to whether or not he can kill and still live up to his Christian ideals. Well, God was on his side as he became an international hero (quite by accident) then went home. the movie ends there, but I would also recomend reading a recent biography of York to see what a truly extraordinary man he was. He wouldn't capitalize on his fame to make money, and he used what little he did have to try to build schools to bring education to the rural hills of Tennessee.Alvin York is one of the greatest examples of an American hero that we have, not because of his actions in war, but because of his actions in peace and his devotion to God, His country, and his neighbors.

2013-03-30 13:59:54

Sargent York

This review is from: Sergeant York (Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD) Sargent York has got to be one of the best movies in history. Gary Cooper does a wonderful job portraying Alvin York. Sometimes biographies can be boring but this movie tells his story in a great way.

2013-03-30 00:55:41

Courage Defined!

Gary Cooper in one of his finest performances in a long and brilliant movie career. "Alvin York" is truly an inspirational story for all Americans. All of us at one time or another have wondered if "we were called to duty" how we would respond. Gary Cooper gives the type of response that we all hope and pray that we could give if placed in a similar situation. Gary Cooper defines the word "courage".

2013-03-17 22:11:00

Made me Cry like a Girl

One of the best true-story films ever made, Sergeant York, gets America ready for sacrifice as the Axis rolls against the democracies in 1941. Gary Cooper brings York to life, a Tennessee Hillbilly with a drinkin' problem. Coop is probably too old to play a very young man in 41, but his acting style, the American Everyman pulls it off. He's a hayseed, but he's our hayseed. As York stumbles in poverty, as he betters himself, working hard, striving for good bottom land, there's dissapointments. Luckily, he falls for a fine country gal, he has the support of his ma and siblings, and then there's Walter Brennan as his spiritual advisor.Coop gets religion and is a mind that war and killing is wrong. WW1 happens and even in Danial Boone country, men are drafted. Our anti-war fellow goes reluctantly, learns a little American history, balances liberty with warfare, and the rest is history.Few films actually make me blubber like a girl, but SY does it again and again. That last scene with his girl at the bottom land farm, that broke me for hours.

sdscooper 2013-03-17 13:23:51

A Hollywood classic

To truly appreciate this film one must have an understanding of the periodin which the film was made and of the events depicted in the movie itself.That being said, let me say that I find the film worthy of its acclaim andatrue Hollywood classic.

2013-03-15 08:29:38

Very Historical

This review is from: Sergeant York (Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD) No movie is totally accurate about our historical people. However this movie does an excellent job in showing the man Sgt. York was. An exlcellent movie and as always Gary Cooper proved why he is one of Hollywoods GREAT actors.

glentom1 2013-03-14 12:35:04

Sometimes the story is the movie...

In my book this is one of the best movies of all time. It is the storyof Sergeant York, the most decorated soldier of WWI.Whether the movie presents factual the story or not, is up tohistorians. But 50 or 100 years from now this movie WILL be the factualhistory.Great filming, great acting, great story, all add up to perfection. Oneof the reviews at this site said something like "an otherwiseundistinguished cast." Well, wake up, it has a cast of Walter Brennan,Ward Bond, Noah Beery, Jr. Howard DaSilva, Clem Bevans, MargaretWycherly, June Lockhart, Dickie Moore, George Tobias, and Joan Leslie.Including probably the greatest character actor of all time, WalterBrennan.One of the few movies I can watch over and over and over.

bobster66 2013-03-06 06:52:58

A good movie if you make allowances for the period it was made in.

Oddly enough, it was while watching this movie I finally had to admit thatGary Cooper was a poor actor. Cooper's Oscar for his role in Sergeant Yorkis proof that the Academy Members were as bad at picking Oscars in the 40'sas they are today. As is often the case, the Oscar here seems to have beenawarded for the ROLE and not the PERFORMANCE. And it is after all a verygood role.Hollywood of course adjusted the facts. The bolt of lightning in particularis one of the worst fabrications ever seen in a biographicalmovie.Otherwise, it is an often fun movie with some fine supporting performances.

2013-03-05 23:39:51

Sergent York

This movie is very good it talks about how Alvin York a drunk gets saved in church and goes off to war it is a true story and it talks of what happens when people put faith in you!

2013-02-13 03:09:42

Best movie of all time

This movie isn't about war but one's conviction to the lords word. Instead of buying the bottom land, the lord made it possible to be his by doing what he had to do. As a feloow tennesseean this movie has meant more to me than any other. I'll bet you'll agree when you see the whole picture.

2013-02-12 16:40:03

Sargent York

I bought this movie for my husband for a christmas present. I have enjoyed it so much that I bought my mom and dad one. They really enjoy this move also. I was also impressed that I received it as quickly as I did.

2013-01-31 05:59:53

Fun to be re-introduced to history

I recently had visited the north-eastern part of Tennessee were Sargent York was from. We went by his homestead and gravesite in Pall Mall, TN. and I was telling my family his story-None of them had heard of it. So when we returned I ordered the movie. We all sat down and watched it together. Everyone loved it.It was so nice to quickly find the movie I wanted and it was to me in less than a week. the cost was inexpensive and the Video -like new.I continue to be a devoted Amazon fan and customer.Sincerely Donna McKnight

2013-01-30 17:29:38

Alvin York revies

Good product. Wish the front cover was in Black & White. It appears this DVD is in color, which I did not want. Recommendation: Make the cover in B&W.

Neil Doyle 2013-01-30 02:35:03

Gary Cooper in the role of famous American war hero...

SERGEANT YORK really hasn't aged too well as a film. The whole firsthalf with York's upbringing in a Tennessee family ruled by ma (MARGARETWYCHERLY) is examined in too much detail. It's the hillbilly aspect ofall the rural scenes that is dominant in the first half of the moviebefore WWI breaks out. These scenes are all a heavy-handed depiction ofthe simple rural folk, although Cooper's sincerity as Alvin York isevident throughout.But it's the second half of the film that really picks up steam, as thereligious conscientious objector is drafted into the army and not quitewilling to accept the idea that a soldier must be willing to kill. Thishalf of the film is much more persuasive in the telling, with excellentperformances from STANLEY RIDGES, GEORGE TOBIAS, David BRUCE and othersin the large Warner stock company.The highlight of the story are the scenes showing how York manages tocapture and/or kill over a hundred German soldiers, becoming thenation's most honored war hero in the process.JOAN LESLIE is a picture of youthful radiance as his childhoodsweetheart but her accent is not always too credible. The other chiefdrawback is that too many of the scenes on York's farm look as thoughthey were shot on a studio sound-stage with fake clouds adorning thelow-key lighting for the sky. As good as the cinematography is, itcan't hide the artificiality of the sets--too many of the outdoorscenes look as though they were filmed under controlled studio stagelighting.So, in this respect, time hasn't been kind to SERGEANT YORK. ButCooper's performance is excellent and deserved the Best Actor Oscar. Ifound nothing special about Max Steiner's score, which is a surprisesince he's usually dominating the proceedings with his vibrant themes.

2013-01-29 19:41:27

Sergeant York

This review is from: Sergeant York (Two-Disc Special Edition) (DVD) Have enjoyed this movie since I was a little girl. The movie is very down to earth. I belive it tells of the struggle we all have when confronted with decisions of survivile.