York, who was arguably one of America’s most decorated World War I soldiers, is the subject of the movie Sergeant York. The film portrays his life and heroic acts, focusing on his struggles balancing his religious beliefs with his patriotic duty. Born in a small town in Tennessee, the movie starts by showing York as a young farmer who works tirelessly to support his mother and siblings. However, when he is denied a valuable piece of land, he contemplates seeking revenge.
After being struck by lightning during a rainstorm, he goes through a religious transformation and commits to being a more devoted spouse and provider. Initially, York was hesitant to enlist in the Army for World War I because of his religious convictions against killing, but Pastor Pile eventually persuades him. Reluctantly, he agrees to join, hoping to avoid taking lives. Subsequently, he is deployed to France. On October 8, 1918, while participating in a battalion assault aimed at seizing German positions, his deeds would leave an indelible mark on history.
Amidst a fierce German attack, York witnessed his fellow soldiers being killed one after another, leaving him with only eight comrades. Assuming leadership, he used his remarkable shooting abilities and unwavering devotion to God and country to accomplish an exceptional act on the battlefield. Fearlessly infiltrating enemy territory, he unleashed a relentless assault of gunfire that forced the Germans to ultimately surrender. Holding a German officer at gunpoint, he ordered the remaining German troops to disarm themselves.
York and his eight comrades captured 132 German soldiers, for which he received a hero’s welcome upon returning to America. A parade and a banquet dinner were held in his honor. On top of that, his hometown in Tennessee gifted him a fully paid-off house and he was bestowed with the Medal of Honor. While the pace of this movie might be deemed slow in comparison to modern standards, it possesses a profound sense of patriotism. Despite being filmed in the forties, I found myself deeply engrossed in the story.
