NY Historical Society's Free Screening of "Sgt. York" Marking the 100th Annv. of WWI

The NY Historical Society's current exhibit "WWI: Beyond the Trenches" marks the 100th Annv. of the US military fighting in WWI.  This is an exhibit that is not to be missed for its powerful commemoration of the devastation of war as portrayed through many of America's finest artists at this time.  In conjunction with the exhibit & tied to the 100th Annv. was a free screening of the 1941 film "Sergeant York" (1941) starring Gary Cooper and Walter Brennan.  This was the final film in the museum's free Friday night screenings for the year.  This black/white film directed by Howard Hawks & starring Gary Cooper was the highest grossing film of 1941 & earned Cooper an Oscar.  To introduce the film & put it into historical context was John H. Mauer, Prof. at the Naval War College in RI & author/editor of several leadings books pertaining to the outbreak of WWI.  Mauer mentioned he'd be brief to get to the film we came to see.  His "brief" comments were a full-length debriefing of the themes in the film:  patriotism, religion & the intertwining of the two; "social guidance derived from religion".  I've never seen this film and was interested in learning about military strategies& battle stories from the Great War.  However, I found the movie both dull, dated & religious proselytizing.  The message which rang louder than a bugle call was for those who find religion, there will be divine intervention & humanitarian connections.  The Argonne-Mouse Offensive by the US & the Allied forces  (Sept. 1918-Nov. 1918) where Sgt. York's heroism was heralded, hardly had any screen time.  The film found an appreciative audience in the mostly senior citizens in the theater.  Regardless, I found the film offensive with demeaning stereotypical depiction of simpleton backwoods people as either bar brawling drunkards or religious zealots.   The fighting scenes were undermined by its attempts at humor & incredulous action.  The exhibit: "WWI Beyond the Trenches"  is an unforgettable, not to be missed exhibition.  The film "Sgt. York" which was a winner at the box office in 1941 was not worth the price of admission last evening which was free.