My Favorite Movie

Santa was really good to me this year.  I got one of my favorite movies of all time, "Sergeant York".  It's a true story about a man named Alvin York who was a World War I hero.  In the beginning of the movie, it shows him as an unruly young man: drinking and causing trouble.  Then, he sobers up, finds God, and is drafted to war.  He is a conscientious objector because of the commandment, "Thou shalt not kill."  He is denied and sent to war anyways.  During his boot-camp he is treated poorly because the officers thought that all conscientious objectors were cowards.  The officers were surprised that he was very comfortable with rifles and was an excellent shooter (hit the bullseye everytime!).  His commanding officer called Alvin into his office and asked him about his conscientious objection.  Alvin and two of his officers had a talk about scripture, and they were discussing and going back and forth about it: Alvin saying the bible states killing is a sin, and the officers saying that the bible justifies it in times of war.  One of the officers told him he could go home and for a few days to try and figure it out.  He said that if he went home and still came back a concientious objector, they would let him go home.  Alvin went back in the hills of his home, but did not actually see anyone he knew.  He brought his bible and found the following scripture, "They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto  Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s." (Matthew 22:21).  Okay, so I am still a little unclear about the meaning of this particular scripture, but Alvin decides to go back and fight for his country.  There is one battle where he and about six or seven others take over 100 German prisoners.  He thought that by taken them all prisoners he was saving more lives than killing.  After the war he came home and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Alvin was given so much attention, recognition, and even offers from Hollywood.  He was very appreciative, but he also just wanted to go home.  He did just that, back in the sticks in Tennessee, and was very happy.

I don't know why I love this movie so much.  I loved it so much as a kid, too.  I think it may be because when I was little I thought my dad looked like Gary Cooper (who played Alvin York).  Also, I loved the way they talked.  They were country folk, and talked very differently.  As an adult, I think I have continued to like it because I enjoy war history.  I have never read the book, so I don't now a whole lot outside of the movie.  The movie also may have changed a few things here and there, but I know they got the big important stuff right.  Before I got married, I took a day to get all of our favors for the guests ready, and I remember watching this movie for the first time in years while I did it.  Our favors were very simple, so I thought I'd be done very quickly, but I ended up watching the movie twice while I did it.  I'm glad my husband likes this movie, too, because I plan on watching it again very soon!

Happy Tuesday to you and yours...