Yanks (1979)

71% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(1,769 ratings)

John Schlesinger directs the war romance Yanks, based on the story by Colin Welland. Set in England at the end of WWII, the story concerns three American GIs and their affairs with British women of varying social status. The central romance concerns Sgt. Matt Dyson (Richard Gere) and Jean Moreton… More John Schlesinger directs the war romance Yanks, based on the story by Colin Welland. Set in England at the end of WWII, the story concerns three American GIs and their affairs with British women of varying social status. The central romance concerns Sgt. Matt Dyson (Richard Gere) and Jean Moreton (Lisa Eichhorn making her film debut), who is the daughter of shopkeepers (Rachel Roberts and Tony Melody). He falls in love with her but she is still infatuated with her boyfriend Ken (Derek Thompson). Higher up on the class scale, the officer John (William Devane) has a brief extramarital affair with socialite Helen (Vanessa Redgrave). The third pairing involves Sgt. Danny Ruffelo (Chick Vennera) in a fling with Mollie (Wendy Morgan). Eventually, the Americans and the Britains find themselves surrounded by racism at a New Year's Eve dance. Annie Ross from the vocal jazz group Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross appears briefly as a Red Cross nurse. Yanks won two BAFTA awards in 1980: to Shirley Russell for Best Costume Design and to Rachel Roberts for Best Supporting Actress. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 19 min.
Directed By: John Schlesinger
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Sep 19, 1979 Wide
On DVD: Mar 1, 2005

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Big looking, expensive, production starring Richard Gere is hardly worth it.
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
A great period film, full of authenticity. A fine early performance by Gere.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Finely made John Schlesinger film is worth another look.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Yanks charts the difficulties of wartime love affairs.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

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Cast

            Richard Gere as Sgt. Matt Dyson

            Lisa Eichhorn as Jean Moreton

            Vanessa Redgrave as Helen

            William Devane as John

            Chick Vennera as Sgt. Danny Ruffelo

            Rachel Roberts as Clarrie Moreton

            Wendy Morgan as Mollie

            Annie Ross as Red Cross Lady

            Tony Melody as Mr. Jim Moreton

            Martin Smith as Geoff Moreton

            Philip Whileman as Billy Rathbone

            Derek Thompson as Ken

            Harrison Simon as Tim

            David Baxt
            
            Caroline Blakiston as Golfing Friend

            John Cassidy as G.I. at Cinema

            Janet Dale as Girl with Baby

            Rachel Davies as Girl in Club

            Patrick Durkin as Master of Ceremonies

            Anne Dyson
            
            June C. Ellis as Mrs. Shenton

            Joe Gladwin as Plumber at Camp

            Joan Hickson as Mrs. Moody

            Nat Jackley as Postman

            Margaret Lacey as Woman at Hotel

            Paul Luty as Ted the Publican

            Al Matthews as Black G.I. at Dance

            Everett McGill as White G.I. at Dance

            Jeremy Newson as Mechanic

            Tom Nolan as Tom G.I. Drummer

            Donald Pickering as Golfing Friend

            John Ratzenberger as Corporal Cook

            Antony Sher as G.I. at Cinema

            Arlen Dean Snyder as Henry

            Stephen Whittaker as Merchant Seaman

            Harry Ditson as Officer in Stores

            George Harris as Black Driver

            Eugene Lipinski as Barman in Ireland

            Paula Tilbrook as Neighbour

            Ray Hassett as Pilot

            Weston Gavin as Officer at Airfield

            Pearl Hackney as Aunt Maud

            David Miller as Bereaved Father
See full cast