Sergeant York (1941)

Directed by Howard Hawks

This was a wonderful tale of Christianity, faith, and saving lives. This is a story about York, a man who ekes a living on a rocky farm in the mountains of Tennessee. When he is drafted for World War I, he tries to be exempted using his faith because he believes that God doesn't want him to kill. However, he goes to camp and immediately astounds with his sharpshooting accuracy. A superior officer explains how he can reconcile his faith and war, resulting in him becoming a celebrated war hero. And he gets a bonus: his girl is still waiting for him at home.

This is a black and white film, but the acting is good and the story is entertaining. It is a good Christian testimony, as well as being a historical account. There really was a Sergeant York, who wrote a book about his life and this movie is an adaption of that book. It shows how York's life went from being a drunken man to a devout war hero, who was still satisfied with simple life in the mountains.

One conversation in particular stood out to me near the end of this film. York explains that he won't do any of the promotional offers (cereal boxes, commercials, endorsements) because he didn't consider it right to be paid for doing his duty and for doing what any man in his situation would have done. Instead he goes home, which I think is an amazing testimony to York's character.

I recommend this movie, but it is violent (it's about WWI...).

Review by Beckyelsie