SANDS OF IWO JIMA (Theatrical Release USA 1949)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Sands of Iwo Jima—serves the John Wayne fan club fairly well—tells its story at a higher level than Flags of Our Fathers, but does not reach the entertainment quality level of Letters of Iwo Jima. John Wayne seems miscast for this movie while the supporting cast seem to be trying to make the film work the best that they can. The archival footage works very well in the movie and strategically places itself in the film as a horrific reminder of what soldiers suffered in order to establish control of the Island of Iwo Jima Japan.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

This movie tells the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Allan Dwan for directing effort. Thank you to Associate Producer Edmund Grainger for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Sergeant John Stryker (John Wayne), Private First Class Peter Conway (John Agar), Allison Bromley (Adele Mara), Private First Class Al Thomas (Forrest Tucker), Private First Class Benny Regazzi (Wally Cassell), Private First Class Charlie Bass (James Brown), Private First Class Dan Shipley (Richard Webb), Chaplain Robert Dunne/Narrator (Arthur Franz), Mary (Julie Bishop), Private First Class Soames (James Holden), Private First Class Soames (James Holden), Private First Class George Hellenpolis (Peter Coe), Private First Class Eddie Flynn (William Murphy), and Private First Class Frank Flynn (Richard Jaeckel).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It serves its purpose and is historically worthy, but the movie needs increased realism in the acting department to make it a good war flick.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers