Sands of Iwo Jima

John Wayne as the gutsiest sarge and top kick on Iwo Jima, in one of his most prototypical war yarns. Vintage Duke. [09 Jul 2000, p.23C]

This was the film which fixed Wayne's image forever as a tough-as-leather patriot with a well-hidden heart.

This is one of Wayne's finest performances, earning him an Oscar nomination.

A gritty and restrained account of men at war. [04 Oct 2008, p.53]

Dwan's deft handling of the action counteracts the dramatic clichés of the conflict between Wayne and his rebellious substitute son, Agar.

Sands of Iwo Jima so easily could have been a great war film instead of just a good one.

It's loaded with the commercial ingredients of blazing action, scope and spectacle, but it falls short of greatness because of its sentimental core and its superficial commentary on the war.