Sergeant York Trivia Quiz

Answer: The parable of the lost sheep.

This parable is a foreshadowing of what happens to Alvin York. In the film he is portrayed as a drunk and rabble rouser, not having any religion whatsoever. A miracle occurs and "the lost" York finds religion.

Answer: He wants to get a piece of bottom land for farming.

The land he is farming is very poor quality soil. Alvin works day and night to raise the $70 balance of the $120 Mr. Tompkins wants for the bottom land. With time running out Alvin enters the turkey shoot and plans on winning the rest of the money.

Answer: It cuts down the haze.

Alvin wets his front sight three times in the film. The first is during the turkey shoot when he aims at his fifth target to win the "beef critter". The second time is on the rifle range when his sergeant is amazed at how well he can shoot. Because of his conscientious objector status, it was thought Alvin had never held a rifle.

The third time is when Alvin is in combat, and drawing down on German soldiers in a machine gun nest.

Answer: June Lockhart

June Lockhart was only 16 when she played Rosie. "Sergeant York" was her fourth movie. She followed this role 4 years later in "Meet Me In St. Louis" with Judy Garland. June Lockhart later became a television star with her portrayal of mothers in "Lassie" and "Lost In Space".

Answer: He and his horse are struck by lightning and they survive.

When Alvin realizes he and his horse have survived the lighting strike by the grace of God, he rides to church where Pastor Pile is conducting a service. Alvin walks up to the altar and gets down on his knees. Pastor Pile then leads the congregation in a rousing rendition of "Give Me That Old Time Religion".

This scene is a Hollywood dramatization of the event. Later, York's grandson said that Alvin told the film's producers "...that he felt like he was struck by lightning when he found Christ."

Answer: He says killing is against the Bible.

In the film Pastor Pile writes a letter on Alvin's behalf. His appeals are denied three times based on the fact that his church is not recognized as an official sect of Christianity. Alvin honors his draft notice and reports for duty at Camp Gordon, Georgia, where he undergoes basic training.

When Alvin's sergeant discovers he had applied as a conscientious objector, he scoffs at him, asking him if he has a conscientious objection to the rifle issued to him.

Answer: "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God, the things which are God's."

After reading this passage while sitting on a hill overlooking the Valley of the Three Forks, Alvin comes to the realization that there are two separate authorities, man and God. Therefore, it is acceptable to pay taxes to the government and serve in the army, while focusing on the kingdom of God and what it means to give back to God.

When Alvin returns to camp, he tells the major he still has questions but is willing to trust in something that is "a heap bigger than I be."

Answer: He is promoted to corporal and put in charge of marksmanship training.

Alvin's marksmanship was never in dispute. In the film Sergeant Early scoffs when on the rifle range Alvin's first shot is marked as a miss. Alvin requests a remark and in fact he had hit the bullseye. He scores five more bullseyes, and the officer in charge asks him where he learned to shoot. Alvin replies, "Folks back home said I could shoot a rifle before I was weaned, but they were exaggerating some." The scene on the rifle range is one of the best in the entire movie.

Answer: He runs and crawls to a position where he can flank the enemy.

With his flanking action, Alvin is able to fire on the enemy from the side while remaining under cover. He reportedly killed 25 enemy soldiers and forced a German officer to surrender his command. Only Alvin and seven other soldiers were left to guard the 132 prisoners and march them back to the American lines.

When they finally reached the American lines, the officers in charge were astounded at what Alvin and the others had accomplished.

Answer: General John Pershing

General Pershing played himself in one of the final scenes and is shown presenting the Medal of Honor to Alvin York. Pershing led the American Expeditionary Force in WWI and insisted it be a separate command, not under the control of the French. Pershing was 81 years old when he appeared in the film. He died in 1948 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.