Details

Release year: 1941

Storyline

A Tennessee farmer and marksman is drafted in World War I, and struggles with his pacifist inclinations before becoming one of the most celebrated war heroes.

Top credits

Directors

Howard Hawks

Writers

Cast

Gary Cooper — Alvin C. York
Walter Brennan — Pastor Rosier Pile
Joan Leslie — Gracie Williams
George Tobias — 'Pusher' Ross

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Awards

2 wins & 9 nominations

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Did you know

• Alvin C. York himself was on the set for a few days during filming. When one of the crew members tactlessly asked him how many "Jerries" he had killed, York started sobbing so vehemently he threw up. The crew member was nearly fired, but the next day, York demanded that he keep his job.

• The highest-grossing film of 1941. Adjusted for inflation, it still remains one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

• Alvin C. York had been approached by producer Jesse L. Lasky several times, beginning in 1919, to allow a movie to be made of his life, but had refused, believing that "this uniform ain't for sale." Lasky convinced York that, with war threatening in Europe, it was his patriotic duty to allow the film to proceed. York finally agreed, but only on three conditions. First, York's share of the profits would be contributed to a Bible school York wanted to be built. Second, no cigarette-smoking actress could be chosen to play his wife. Third, only Gary Cooper could recreate his life on screen. Cooper at first turned down the role, but when York himself contacted the star with a personal plea, Cooper agreed to do the picture. Strangely, York did not mind the fact that Cooper was a chain smoker.