Sergeant York

Predictable, a trifle slow, but ultimately winning. Gary Cooper won his first Oscar for his strong portrayal here of WWI hero Alvin C. York, who single-handedly captured 132 German soldiers during the Meuse-Argonne offensive and became one of America's most decorated and beloved heroes. Beginning in 1916, Howard Hawks' masterfully directed film follows the man from the hills of East Tennessee as he falls in love with Gracie Williams (Joan Leslie) and struggles to hold onto his land. When lightning strikes his rifle, York views it a sign from God and, becoming a pacifist, tries to avoid service in WWI. Eventually he does fight in France, however, and the rest is spe...