One of the Dukes best
Added 10/15/2009
How can you not like this one it has all of the tried and true heroic John Wayne bits and he even dies in the end. This should be in everyone's library.
The whole cast is good, top to bottom with all of the bases covered. The angry young marine, the young brothers that fight with each other more than the enemy, the old time marine that can't stand the Duke until that moment when it all turns around.
Oh well you all know what this film is.
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A near miss
Added 8/28/2009
I liked this film even though I found it a bit contrived. John Wayne is of course effective in the lead, but as one of the few elligible Movie Stars who did not enter the service in World War II his performance is more Hollywood than Parris Island. Ironically their was a true story that could have served as the basis of a more authentic film. The story of Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone. Basilone won the Congressional Medal of Honor at Guadalcanal but he turned down a commission and insisted on returning to combat "to be with his men". He was killed at Iwo Jima and was awarded the Navy Cross. I believe he was the only serviceman ever to receive both decorations. Basilone was the son of Italian American immigrants and was from a large working class family. He may have been too "ethnic" to be the subject of a major Hollywood production. Ethnic soldiers were usually in supporting roles in A budget World War II films of that era. The leads were usually "All American Boys". Perhaps it was better box office.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this film. The Wayne character was shown to have his flaws. The direction was not brilliant nor was the script, but it told the story in an efficient manner which kept things moving to the inevitable conclusion - the raising of the flag on Mt Suribachi, one of the mythic moments of American military history. In my opinion, not as good as "Flags of Our Fathers", but less emotionally draining. A good example of the "Hollywood goes to war" genre.
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Great Film
Added 5/4/2009
Sands of Iwo Jima is a great film. The "making of" extra by Leonard Maltin is fantastic. The film was made at the request of the Marine Corps when abolishing the Corps was being considered. In the regard the film was successful.
Thanks to the input of the United States Marine Corps, Sands of Iwo Jima provides a reasonably accurate account of life in the Corps. The combat footage integrates well with the film. My only complaint is with some of the hokey characters that seem to be a part of war films made in the 40's and 50's.
The "making of" segment on the dvd has some excellent insight into the film.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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2.5 stars out of 4
Added 4/4/2009
The Bottom Line:
A leaden and slow war picture that's dated and feels like it lasts forever, Sands of Iwo Jima manages to nicely incorporate some actual combat footage but does little else of value over 2 mind-numbing hours.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Great war movie
Added 2/2/2009
I bought this film for a class that I co-teach on American Cinema. It is a great example of a classic war film movie that takes place during WWII. If you like war films, this is a must have.
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THE FIGHTING IRISHMAN WHO CAN SHOOT.
Added 3/7/2001
The collecton of films shows John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in two totally different styles of acting. Starting with the an American who swears off boxing after killing an opponent in The Quiet Man. To the epics of the old west where they are embroiled in a battle with the Apache Indians. In both films John wayne is locked in a war to fight to save his marrage, one using guns and one using fists. Finally in The Sands Of Iwo Jima John wayne is feared by many and hated by all in a battle that will and is remebered by all, on the flag-raising on Mt. Suribachi. This was a true oscar performance.
7 out of 8 people found this helpful.
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One of the Dukes best
Added 10/15/2009
How can you not like this one it has all of the tried and true heroic John Wayne bits and he even dies in the end. This should be in everyone's library.
The whole cast is good, top to bottom with all of the bases covered. The angry young marine, the young brothers that fight with each other more than the enemy, the old time marine that can't stand the Duke until that moment when it all turns around.
Oh well you all know what this film is.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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A near miss
Added 8/28/2009
I liked this film even though I found it a bit contrived. John Wayne is of course effective in the lead, but as one of the few elligible Movie Stars who did not enter the service in World War II his performance is more Hollywood than Parris Island. Ironically their was a true story that could have served as the basis of a more authentic film. The story of Marine Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone. Basilone won the Congressional Medal of Honor at Guadalcanal but he turned down a commission and insisted on returning to combat "to be with his men". He was killed at Iwo Jima and was awarded the Navy Cross. I believe he was the only serviceman ever to receive both decorations. Basilone was the son of Italian American immigrants and was from a large working class family. He may have been too "ethnic" to be the subject of a major Hollywood production. Ethnic soldiers were usually in supporting roles in A budget World War II films of that era. The leads were usually "All American Boys". Perhaps it was better box office.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this film. The Wayne character was shown to have his flaws. The direction was not brilliant nor was the script, but it told the story in an efficient manner which kept things moving to the inevitable conclusion - the raising of the flag on Mt Suribachi, one of the mythic moments of American military history. In my opinion, not as good as "Flags of Our Fathers", but less emotionally draining. A good example of the "Hollywood goes to war" genre.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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