Synopsis
Haunted by personal demons, Marine Sgt. John Stryker is hated and feared by his men, who see him as a cold-hearted sadist. But when their boots hit the beaches, they begin to understand the reason for Stryker's rigid form of discipline.
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Cast
- John WayneSgt. John M. Stryker
- John AgarPFC Peter T. 'Pete' Conway
- Adele MaraAllison Bromley
- Forrest TuckerPFC Al J. Thomas
- Wally CassellPFC Benny A. Regazzi
- James BrownPFC Charlie Bass
- Richard WebbPFC Dan 'Handsome' Shipley
- Arthur FranzCpl. Robert C. Dunne / Narrator
- Julie BishopMary
- James HoldenPFC 'Farmer' Soames
Recommendations
- 88
Chicago Tribune
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] - 80
TV Guide Magazine
This is one of Wayne's finest performances, earning him an Oscar nomination. - 80
Empire
This was the film which fixed Wayne's image forever as a tough-as-leather patriot with a well-hidden heart. - 75
Slant Magazine
Allan Dwan’s film is an intimate rendering of a monumental event, featuring John Wayne in one of his most emotionally complex roles. - 70
The New York Times
Sands of Iwo Jima so easily could have been a great war film instead of just a good one. - 70
Time Out
Dwan's deft handling of the action counteracts the dramatic clichés of the conflict between Wayne and his rebellious substitute son, Agar. - 70
The Guardian
A gritty and restrained account of men at war. [04 Oct 2008, p.53] - 60
Variety
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.
