I am neither a fan nor a detractor of John Wayne, but it's true many of his movies I have trouble finishing -- they just don't capture my interest very well. This movie is an exception. I find myself watching this one repeatedly.

I understand the Marine Corps had some misgivings about their story being told by a B-movie studio (Republic), but I think this film brings that studio great credit. Wayne was nominated for Best Actor for this film, and in restrospect, I think he should have won (Jose Ferrer won that year).

This movie has quite satisfactory subplots, more than passable acting, some nice crisp, intelligent dialog in places, and some characterizations that can evoke the interest and sympathy of the audience. The scene where Stryker (Wayne) visits the apartment of a woman he meets in a bar is particularly edifying. This is a surprisingly good movie, and it's wearing well over the years.

I hate to nitpick, but there is an error or two on these pages concerning the historical accuracy of this film -- which also is surprisingly good; it's clear the film's makers were as careful as they could be. The landing craft at Tarawa in the film are LVTs (Landing Vehicle, Tracked), and this is correct for the first wave. The planners of the assault knew these would be important to surmount the reef, but their numbers were limited, so ensuing waves used LCVPs which could not cross the reef, and these are the troops who were slaughtered while wading in. Also, the movie correctly portrays the Marines in training for this assault as being stationed in New Zealand.

Furthermore, the actual ascent of Suribachi was indeed relatively easy after five or so tortuous days of preparation -- but most of the carnage lay ahead; the battle was just getting warmed up. About 15% of USMC combat fatalities from 1776 through the Gulf War (1991) occured on Iwo Jima.

This movie succeeds very nicely to tell an important war story without unnecessary violence, and some touching love relationships without lewdness. As an ex-Marine, and pretty serious student of the Pacific War, I like this movie.
I am neither a fan nor a detractor of John Wayne, but it's true many of his movies I have trouble finishing -- they just don't capture my interest very well. This movie is an exception. I find myself watching this one repeatedly. I understand the Marine Corps had some misgivings about their story being told by a B-movie studio (Republic), but I think this film brings that studio great credit. Wayne was nominated for Best Actor for this film, and in restrospect, I think he should have won (Jose Ferrer won that year). This movie has quite satisfactory subplots, more than passable acting, some nice crisp, intelligent dialog in places, and some characterizations that can evoke the interest and sympathy of the audience. The scene where Stryker (Wayne) visits the apartment of a woman he meets in a bar is particularly edifying. This is a surprisingly good movie, and it's wearing well over the years. I hate to nitpick, but there is an error or two on these pages concerning the historical accuracy of this film -- which also is surprisingly good; it's clear the film's makers were as careful as they could be. The landing craft at Tarawa in the film are LVTs (Landing Vehicle, Tracked), and this is correct for the first wave. The planners of the assault knew these would be important to surmount the reef, but their numbers were limited, so ensuing waves used LCVPs which could not cross the reef, and these are the troops who were slaughtered while wading in. Also, the movie correctly portrays the Marines in training for this assault as being stationed in New Zealand. Furthermore, the actual ascent of Suribachi was indeed relatively easy after five or so tortuous days of preparation -- but most of the carnage lay ahead; the battle was just getting warmed up. About 15% of USMC combat fatalities from 1776 through the Gulf War (1991) occured on Iwo Jima. This movie succeeds very nicely to tell an important war story without unnecessary violence, and some touching love relationships without lewdness. As an ex-Marine, and pretty serious student of the Pacific War, I like this movie.