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on May 4, 2017
Yes, it is not PC.
Yes, it is dated.
Yes, it is a bit over the top with regard to acting.
Who cares? It is a good movie about a true hero.
Yes, it is dated.
Yes, it is a bit over the top with regard to acting.
Who cares? It is a good movie about a true hero.
on July 23, 2017
I purchased this DVD for my husband's birthday and he is very happy with it. He watches it over and over lol. I am happy with the quality and the price was right.
on September 4, 2017
Amazing story, amazing movie. This is based on true events. I loved this movie as a kid. We recently shared this with my husband. He teared up at parts. Love how it glorifies God and shows how God used Sgt. York to save so many lives.
on March 6, 2017
This is one of the best movies I've seen. It represents the real redemption each of us needs. It is a fabulous story of heroism.
on April 22, 2016
This is a lovely old film about a true hero...not because he was tough and killed more people than the next guy. No, York struggled mightily with his Christian conscience over war, and when he decided he should support his country, he made every effort not to kill...capturing a crowd of the enemy instead. He did it his duty the hard way, and I found this very inspiring.
on April 24, 2017
Great movie, even though it's over 75 years old. Hopefully I'll be able to watch it whenever I want now for the rest of my life.
on May 12, 2010
I will focus most of my review on the double DVD in question. As to the film itself, I can only endorse everything said by the other reviewers, I defy anyone not to like this movie - most will love it. Just one thing, Joan Leslie deserves a special mention. As a 16-year old actress playing a 16-year old Gracie she is wonderful. Cooper was just about as big they could get when this movie was made but Leslie plays her scenes with not a trace of diffidence or self-consciousness. Black and white has many strengths, not the least of which is that it minimises the effect of studio sets. None of this movie is filmed on location, but it doesn't matter. In many ways it simply emphasises the quality of the performances. Contrast this with, for example, the wonderful Anthony Mann location work in his James Stewart westerns - for me the scenery is almost too good and diminishes the story-telling. The transfer to DVD of this movie is good, if not exceptional. It would benefit from the loving care given to the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes series by the UCLA labs, for example.
So, the movie is great, what about the extras? On disk one, in addition to the main feature, there is a commentary, a couple of contemporary cartoons, and some galleries of stills. I don't like cartoons, or find stills interesting, so the commentary is all that is left. I went to sleep watching it, and switched off less than halfway through! Good commentary adds to what you see on the screen, with insightful extra information about the characters or the making of the movie. I'm afraid this, by and large, simply tells you what you are seeing. It was with some considerable feeling of anti-climax, therefore, that I inserted the second DVD. It's great! There is a feature on the making of Sergeant York that is very interesting, stimulating, and worth paying for in itself. The insights into the political background to the movie are of particular merit. This is followed by a retrospective on Cooper's career fronted by - Clint Eastwood! I must admit I was surprised at the choice of presenter; Eastwood's westerns tend to be brutal and cynical - everything that Sergeant York, and Cooper, are not. I needn't have worried, I'd forgotten that few know as much about the movie business as Clint. Remember his reaction when once asked why Oscars seemed to be eluding Spielberg? "Well, perhaps Stephen is just too successful for some people in this business". Clint puts across the material he is given on Cooper with similar honesty and affection. Another very welcome addition to this set. I will never regret buying it - nor will you.
So, the movie is great, what about the extras? On disk one, in addition to the main feature, there is a commentary, a couple of contemporary cartoons, and some galleries of stills. I don't like cartoons, or find stills interesting, so the commentary is all that is left. I went to sleep watching it, and switched off less than halfway through! Good commentary adds to what you see on the screen, with insightful extra information about the characters or the making of the movie. I'm afraid this, by and large, simply tells you what you are seeing. It was with some considerable feeling of anti-climax, therefore, that I inserted the second DVD. It's great! There is a feature on the making of Sergeant York that is very interesting, stimulating, and worth paying for in itself. The insights into the political background to the movie are of particular merit. This is followed by a retrospective on Cooper's career fronted by - Clint Eastwood! I must admit I was surprised at the choice of presenter; Eastwood's westerns tend to be brutal and cynical - everything that Sergeant York, and Cooper, are not. I needn't have worried, I'd forgotten that few know as much about the movie business as Clint. Remember his reaction when once asked why Oscars seemed to be eluding Spielberg? "Well, perhaps Stephen is just too successful for some people in this business". Clint puts across the material he is given on Cooper with similar honesty and affection. Another very welcome addition to this set. I will never regret buying it - nor will you.
on July 7, 2017
great movie, i have visited york's home and town where he lived so this was nice follow on
on June 13, 2011
Excellent movie. They did a great job of sticking to the facts. They only embelished in order to connect the dots for the sake of producing a good movie. However, the facts remained solid. Even in the short span of 70 years since this movie was made, social issues have changed, and most certainly in the past 95 or so years since the unfolding of these true events. Women married for different reasons in those days and environment. A 16 year old girl like Gracie would marry a man in his late 20's or early 30's. Gracie was in fact 16 years old during this story time frame. So the movie maker cast a young 16 year old girl of virtue to play opposite a 40 year old man in some romantic but not sensual scenes. Today, I am not so sure the same casting would have happened. This movie and life style would be a good study on many levels for some sociology class somewhere......Alvin York, a true hero and great role model for young men and young Christians today. The man displayed character, integrity, and service to God and country. Excellent job by Warner Bros. The support cd was very professional and helped me to appreciate the making of this movie. All the religous aspects involving Alvin York, his preacher, his ma, Gracie, his military commanders, Warner Bros, the persecution of the jews in Germany, and even his thoughts while seeing American men killed around him were well handled in a short but honest perspective in the movie and suppoort CD. Excellent marks to cast, crew, and producers.
THINGS I WISH I UNDERSTOOD BETTER: I wonder if Alvin's York mule was really named and scripted as Noah or was that a private joke between Gary Cooper, Noah Berry who played Buck, and cast. I wonder if Pusher was killed after the capture of the German soldiers as represented or during the charging of the machine guns. The bar fight on the Tenn/Kentucky state line was really interesting. George pointing that gun to Alvin.....real or not? If real, more language and communication than a real threat, I would say. I also wonder if the turkey call during the assault and capture by York of the German soldiers.....as compared to the turkey shoot.....real or not? Good stuff. I just glanced at an article on the internet talking about the view of Alvin York as seen from one of the German soldiers. I will go back and read more of it. It might be interesting.
THINGS I WISH I UNDERSTOOD BETTER: I wonder if Alvin's York mule was really named and scripted as Noah or was that a private joke between Gary Cooper, Noah Berry who played Buck, and cast. I wonder if Pusher was killed after the capture of the German soldiers as represented or during the charging of the machine guns. The bar fight on the Tenn/Kentucky state line was really interesting. George pointing that gun to Alvin.....real or not? If real, more language and communication than a real threat, I would say. I also wonder if the turkey call during the assault and capture by York of the German soldiers.....as compared to the turkey shoot.....real or not? Good stuff. I just glanced at an article on the internet talking about the view of Alvin York as seen from one of the German soldiers. I will go back and read more of it. It might be interesting.
