Sergeant York (1941)

 Howard Hawks' "Sergeant York"

In watching Howard Hawks' 1941 film "Sergeant York," the only thing I was struck by was how grotesquely propagandist this film is. Coming out in July of 1941, the U.S. had yet to enter the global war taking place. However, plenty of propaganda films were getting its citizens ready for conflict. "Sergeant York" is one such film. 

Starring Gary Cooper as a small-town Tennessee simpleton, the film semi-documents semi-dramatizes the true story of Alvin C. York, one of the most decorated soldiers of World War I. Beginning his military career as a conscientious objector, York eventually comes to a divine conclusion that killing others is worthy of God's grace only if you're protecting people. 

I began to gall at the scene in which Sergeant York reaches this divine conclusion. He reads in the Bible, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's." At this moment, the clouds open to reveal the sun, to which York looks in awe into its light. In this divine revelation, he thought, "Killing for the government is God's will!" I was utterly struct by the creepy, manipulative attempt to instill a moral confirmation for war. As the U.S. government was preparing the American people for combat, it was getting into their heads that combat is acceptable under God. 

It was reported that the film directly helped recruit soldiers, as many young men even went directly from the theater to a military establishment office. As the film was still in theaters, the U.S. was attacked at Pearl Harbor. This immediate patriotism caused the film to become the high-grossing film of 1941. Even after 1941, the film would be frequently reshown all over the U.S. and was a quick replacement for box-office flops. 

Overall, the film is at least enjoyable simply for the critical viewing of the propaganda that it is. At least there's some sort of intentionality behind the film, which is interesting in itself. I would much prefer to watch "Sergeant York" baffled by its audacity than watch "Only Angels Have Wings" and fall asleep by its nothingness.