Reviews

Richard Burton is at his best in this superlative film detailing the story of U.S. and British special forces extracting a captured General from a well-defended German castle. The film is quite long but its unending suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat. Not to sound macabre, but I particularly enjoy the "cable car scene" where Burton, after much battling, eventually tosses a few German soldiers to their death. Clint Eastwood, playing the role of an American Army Ranger, delivers a fine performance as well. I first saw this film as an 11-year-old and still enjoy watching it today.

Many of the best films have portrayed real-life events -- and Sergeant York is no exception. Gary Cooper as Sergeant York delivers an Oscar-winning performance as a Tennessee hillbilly who, for personal and religious reasons, doesn't want to kill anyone and refuses to join the war on the Western Front in WW I. After much soul searching, he eventually dons a uniform and ships out to France. Using uncanny marksmanship skills acquired from years of living in the back woods, he prevents his platoon's position from being overrun by the enemy by methodically mowing down a few dozen German soldiers. One of Sergeant York's secrets to shooting accuracy is wetting down his sights with a bit of saliva to prevent glare. He emerges from the war as a hero, marries his favorite girl, moves into a house given to him by the State of Tennessee as a symbol of their gratitude, and lives happily ever after. Great stuff, and all true. A stunningly moving film that everyone should see.