Sergeant York (Two-Disc Special Edition)

This film begins in the Cumberland Valley of Tennessee. It shows some men on horses shooting revolvers. The rest of the film shows York never owning an expensive horse or revolver! People are singing in a chapel. There are scenes of country life in those backwoods, a hard life for many. There is entertainment in a rural tavern. The pastor warns Alvin York against his crooked path. Do the wealthy look down on the poor? Alvin makes a down payment on that bottom land. Men go around armed. Alvin works hard to earn the rest of the money. Alvin plans to win the shooting match and win the big prize. Percussion cap muzzle loaders are used. Pastor Pyle counsels Alvin against his anger. But Alvin sulks. Riding on a stormy night a flash of lightning gives a warning. Alvin gets religion. The lost sheep is found and rescued. Alvin becomes a teacher of religion. He doesn't want to become a soldier who kills; its against the Book. "I'll be coming back."

Private York shows his shooting skills with a modern Springfield rifle. They want him as an instructor to teach the recruits how to shoot. A book teaches Alvin American history. Corporal York will train the soldiers, then they are sent to France and the trenches. In October 1918 the American troops are sent to attack the Germans across the open fields. Machine guns open fire, they take cover in shell holes. The captain orders a flanking attack. York neutralizes the machine gun nests. The Germans surrender to York and the other men. The German officer orders his men to surrender, their war is over. York and seven others captured 132 prisoners. The Good Lord protected him, York killed to save lives. The many medals recognized the heroism of Sergeant York. He was given the key to New York city. York rejects show business and returns home to his family. The people of Tennessee donated a house and a 200 acre farm. Alvin and Gracie married and lived happily ever after. [But there was trouble with the IRS over income taxes for the gift of house and land. The people of Tennessee were not oppressed by "gun control" or this story would be different.]

This movie was intended to prepare America for another war to end war. WW II made America the world's superpower with the decline of European powers and their colonial possessions. Imperial Germany had exhausted itself by 1918. Mutinies and revolutions were breaking out. The November 1918 truce allowed the German government to stay in power (and prepare for the next war). This mistake was not repeated after the next war. The writers on this film were Howard Koch ("Casablanca") and John Huston ("The Maltese Falcon").

I would recommend this movie to anyone, any age. I really am glad it finally came out in a DVD. You can't see movies like this anymore.

Sargent York movie classic in DVD is the very best format. It enables a viewer to watch the whole movie and to go to specific scenes if the viewer wants to. Best yet was the reasonable cost in new condition.

I found the 2 disk set of Sgt York a very good buy. The second disk is as good as the movie itself. I as a gun collector and a historian found some flaws in the movie itself. He did not use a 1903 Springfield he used a M-1917 Enfield Rifle that fired a 30-06 bullet and he did not use a German Luger he used a M-1911 Colt 45 Cal automatic Pistol.Sgt York consulted on this movie and I cannot figure out why he did not correct these mistakes.Anyone interested in Sgt York should get the July 2007 issue of Armchair General Magazine and look at Battlefield Detective they have visited the actual site and confirmed the actual fete of Sgt. York. He is indeed a hero and he ranks right up there with Audie Murphy who was a Medal of Honor Winner in WW II. I would recommend the movie Sgt York to anyone.

This story would be a five if it was remade. Hard to give such an old movie a five but I love the story and I live near the VA hospital called Alvin C York.