Sands of Iwo Jima

"Sands of Iwo Jima" is a character study of Marine Sgt. John Stryker and Iwo Jima only servers as the location of the film's climactic conclusion. As with many heroic men in '50s movies, Stryker showed no emotion and coped with his problems by drinking large amounts of alcohol. This is a part of John Wayne's movie persona that I sure caused many young men who idolize him to have unhealthy relationships with alcohol.

Americans in particular hold this film in high esteem, but it is not as excellent as they try to make others imagine. Interesting indeed, but not in the same class as "They were expendable". Allan Dwan is one of Hollywood's great old craftsmen. He directed 125 motion pictures! - John Wayne gives one of the best performances of his career in this patriotic movie, for which he also received one of his few Oscar nominations -.