"Sergeant York" and the American Way of Life

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Mates,
I was interested after many years to see the old Gary Cooper movie "Sergeant York."
The story line: Alvin York is a farmer in a remote community in Tennessee. He wants to improve his life and works like a demon to buy a piece of "bottom land" which is better than (I guess) land on a hillside. His mother: "Funny how those on the bottom look down on those at the top." York has a contract for a certain period to pay but the land is sold (on an extension of the contract time) behind his back. He goes for revenge but is struck by lightning on the way over - has an epiphany- and becomes strongly religious. He is drafted for WWI, but as he takes the teachings of the Bible to heart, is a conscientious objector. He goes into the infantry and has a crisis of conscience. From some more sophisticated officers, he is talked into accepting that killing is the "price of freedom" and has been the unfortunate necessity of American history. He then becomes an enthusiatic soldier and in combat kills many Germans with a machine gun nest and single-handedly captures something like 150 more. He returns to the US as a national hero and is given a 500 acre farm (all "bottom land") with house full of luxuries "a pump in the kitchen" and barn. Hero falls into the arms of his admiring beloved.
What do we learn from "Sergeant York"?
One view: If you labour long and hard and honestly for what you want it will be denied- the harsh reality of "business". But, if you let yourself be persuaded by those in power to turn your back on your core beliefs and you then successfully kill a large number of the enemy- as designated by someone else- you will be handed more than you ever hoped or desired.
An unintentionally cynical portrayal of the American way of life?
Cheers,
Bambi B

If you don't mind I may post this on "Outside" also..

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Topic - "Sergeant York" and the American Way of Life - Bambi B 12:04:54 03/08/03 (6)

Re: "Sergeant York" and the American Way of Life - DWPC 10:41:19 03/10/03 (0)

Re: "Sergeant York" and the American Way of Life - Ears 00:20:19 03/09/03 (1)

Yes. nt - patrickU 03:29:36 03/09/03 (0)

Re: "Sergeant York" and the American Way of Life - gware 20:37:24 03/08/03 (2)

Re: "Sergeant York" and the American Way of Life - Bambi B 23:47:05 03/08/03 (1)

We need more anti-war films - gware 05:36:58 03/09/03 (0)

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