Sands of Iwo Jima (1950)

recommended

Good concept, poorly executed.

Don't listen to the negative reviews

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Tension simmers between a tough-as-nails sergeant and the soldiers who he eventually leads into battle at Iwo Jima in this iconic World War II drama. John Wayne is very good as the moody sergeant with a beating human heart behind his tough exterior and John Agar is excellent as the private who clashes personalities with him the most. The son of a legendary military leader, Agar has to wrestle with the fact that he feels obliged to fight regardless of personal preference. He also has a touching scene in which he waxes poetic about marriage and fatherhood as ways to prove that one's life meant something. None of the other characters or performances are on the same level as Wayne and Agar (though Forrest Tucker has the occasional strong moment) and considering how blatantly flag-waving a film it is, it is understandable that 'Sands of Iwo Jima' might not appeal to some viewers. The two main characters have more dimension than the typical patriotic soldiers out there though, and the film is technically well produced. There are some great montages and gradual dissolves and the film seamlessly incorporates actual battle footage into the filmed action. With lots of zooms and tracking shots, the film is hardly static either. Some of the special effects (backdrops as Wayne drives along) show their age, but this stacks up rather well all things considered.

Excellent 1949 war film with John Wayne giving a fine performance as Sgt. Stryker, a tough leader in combat, but a man of deep convictions at heart and a kind one in the end. Wayne was nominated for a best actor Oscar here and deservedly lost to Broderick Crawford for "All the King's Men."Basic training was a real experience with Stryker as he used common sense to lead his men into battle.John Agar, first husband of Shirley Temple, shined in the role of an enlisted man, whose father expected more of him and was adored by the Stryker character. The two men learn to respect each other as is the case with Forrest Tucker in his role.

"Sands of Iwo Jima " is a good war movie ,unlike Wayne's own "green berets" in the sixties .It is one of his most moving parts .The tough sarge (not so tough,by the way, if you compare it to the military men in "take the high ground" or "from here to eternity")is actually a wounded man in search of a family (as the hero of "the searchers" was) and mainly of a child .His wife took away his boy from him and now he is desperately in need of love and affection (the final letter may be one of the most poignant I've ever heard).His hatred for Conway is actually close to affection;this educated young man represents all he has lost .Another significant scene is the moment when Wayne visits a woman and her baby and gives her/him all his pay.Conway has also a baby and he does not want him to become a marine like him or his grandfather (whose shadow hangs over all the movie ,since he was Conway's father and his sarge's officer).The scene at night on the island when a voice is calling in the darkness is gripping .To be recommended .

Sgt John M. Stryker is a battle hardened Marine who's job it is to prepare his new charges for the realities of war. With no care for making friends, Stryker does what ever it takes to make these men tough and ready for the Pacific conflicts to come. Sands Of Iwo Jima is unashamedly proud in its jingoistic fervour, and rightly so. Iwo Jima, and the now immortal portrait of weary American soldiers hoisting the flag atop Mt. Suribachi, has become a bastion of bravery, a beacon of triumph if you will. So it's no surprise to find Allan Dwan's film has no intention if deviating from boasting its colours, and hooray to that. Here as Stryker we find John Wayne giving a bit more to his character portrayal than merely some beefcake winning the war. Wayne puts depth and sincerity into Stryker, an air of believability shines through as he shows vulnerability, we believe he can win this war with his men, but we also see tenderness and it lifts Sands higher than your average war picture. Wise old director Dwan (432 directing credits to his name), weaves the picture together with admirable restraint. Fusing actual newsreel footage with his own tightly handled action sequences, Sands plays out as the tribute and rally call that it has every right to be, even finding place in the film for three of the soldiers who hoisted that now famous flag. Ira Hayes, Rene Gagnon and John Bradley are the three gentlemen to look out for. The rest of the cast don't really have to do much outside of respond to Wayne's two fold performance, but keep an eye out for a fresh faced Richard Jaeckel as Pfc. Frank Flynn, while I personally enjoyed the brief, but important contribution from Julie Bishop as Mary. Wayne received a nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards (too bad for him that 49 contained brilliant shows from the winner Broderick Crawford & a blunderbuss turn from Gregory Peck), with other nominations going to the Best Story, Editing and Sound categories. Ironically it was a role Wayne didn't fancy doing, but some encouragements from war veterans humbled him into starring. Lock and load and saddle up for a top entry in the WWII pantheon. 8/10