Rating: 
Summary: This is a surprisingly good movie
Review: I am neither a fan nor a detractor of John Wayne, but it's true many of his movies I have trouble finishing -- they just don't capture my interest very well. This movie is an exception. I find myself watching this one repeatedly.
I understand the Marine Corps had some misgivings about their story being told by a B-movie studio (Republic), but I think this film brings that studio great credit. Wayne was nominated for Best Actor for this film, and in restrospect, I think he should have won (Jose Ferrer won that year).
This movie has quite satisfactory subplots, more than passable acting, some nice crisp, intelligent dialog in places, and some characterizations that can evoke the interest and sympathy of the audience. The scene where Stryker (Wayne) visits the apartment of a woman he meets in a bar is particularly edifying. This is a surprisingly good movie, and it's wearing well over the years.
I hate to nitpick, but there is an error or two on these pages concerning the historical accuracy of this film -- which also is surprisingly good; it's clear the film's makers were as careful as they could be. The landing craft at Tarawa in the film are LVTs (Landing Vehicle, Tracked), and this is correct for the first wave. The planners of the assault knew these would be important to surmount the reef, but their numbers were limited, so ensuing waves used LCVPs which could not cross the reef, and these are the troops who were slaughtered while wading in. Also, the movie correctly portrays the Marines in training for this assault as being stationed in New Zealand.
Furthermore, the actual ascent of Suribachi was indeed relatively easy after five or so tortuous days of preparation -- but most of the carnage lay ahead; the battle was just getting warmed up. About 15% of USMC combat fatalities from 1776 through the Gulf War (1991) occured on Iwo Jima.
This movie succeeds very nicely to tell an important war story without unnecessary violence, and some touching love relationships without lewdness. As an ex-Marine, and pretty serious student of the Pacific War, I like this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor DVD Quality
Review: I bought two copies of this DVD before I decided that the transfer of this movie to DVD was defective. It has the same problem as "The Quiet Man". The scenes constantly drifts in and out into darkness, and constantly stalls trying to keep up with the audio. Whoever approved these products for market should be fired from their job, for they do an injustice to the customers. The rating system only allows one star as the lowest score. That is too generous for a DVD this poorly made. Otherwise, the movie itself is a classic. Too bad I cannot enjoy it on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best!!!
Review: I first saw this movie as a child in black and white, and I still consider it one of the best films for a night of quality time with my popcorn, recliner, and the phone off the hook. I detest the colorized version. I don't think it was colorized correctly, if there is such a way.
The Sands of Iwo Jima combines all of the elements for a great movie, and does it well. It has John Wayne,(not much more needed),it has action, it has romance,(that isn't too sappy for a war movie), it has Forrest Tucker pre-F-Troop, and it has the most important element, some good ole' fashioned American whup- [but] on the enemy...
If you like a good movie, this is an essential for your library.
Rating:
Summary: What makes a man?
Review: I've often been told I remind people of my uncle Don (both in appearance and personality). To me a greater compliment has never been paid. Don was 19 when he underwent surgery to repair a hernia so he could enlist in the marines. Three months out of basic training they sent him to Iwo Jima. He died on Mt. Suribachi. It wasn't until many years later that his remains were removed from the island and shipped home. "The Sands of Iwo Jima," is a touch shallow, but it is the most poignant tribute to the brave soldiers that gave their lives, and to this day it is one of the handful of movies that has ever made me shed a tear.
Rating:
Summary: A Marine's Marine
Review: If John Thomason and Robert Leckie authored the written definition of what it is to be a Marine, Sergeant Stryker is the film definition. As a retired Marine, I cannot count the number of offices I have entered to see John Wayne -- chin strap dangling and helmet cocked on his head -- staring back at me from a Sands of Iwo Jima poster. (Often, there is the caption added: "Life is tough...but it's tougher if you're stupid!" In my office when I was a rifle company commander, it was next to my copy of the photo of "THE" flag raising. My Dad was at Tarawa, and my generation of Marines idolized those who had fought their way across the Pacific. This film is one of their lesser memorials. After having seen it some 25 times, imagine my shock last week when, listening carefully as Sergeant Stryker sets his men in position on the first night at Tarawa, I heard for the first time "...and McCarty, here." He should have gotten the Oscar.
Rating: 
Summary: The film that made John Wayne a military icon. . . .
Review: It is difficult to decide if the Duke is at his best in westerns or war pictures, but the Sands of Iwo Jima is Wayne at his hard-hitting, flag waving best. The story follows U.S. Marine Corps sergeant John Stryker from a stint as a boot-pusher through the brutal battle on the slopes of Mount Suribachi. The troops include everything you'd expect in a World War II movie; the smart-mouthed, know-it-all rich kid; a street-wise hispanic kid from a tough neighborhood; a pleasure-loving goof off and just about every other stereotype of the American fighting man you can dream up. Of course, the Duke is there to guide them with just the right combination of verbal wisdom and right-crosses. There's even a healthy serving of sentimentality to round out the tour of cliches. Nonetheless, the Sands of Iwo Jima rises above its predictability to be a solidly entertaining action film and a rousing tribute to the tenacity, sense of self-sacrifice and fighting spirit of the Marine Corps. Despite its rampant and obvious emotionalism, you can't help but feel a lump in your throat as The Shores of Tripoli is played to segue from the final scenes into the closing credits. Like most Wayne pictures, the emphasis here is on the action, and the movie provides plenty of it, mixing actual combat footage, stock film and original cinematography into a tightly knit, effective product. This may not be the best picture John Wayne ever made, but it's way up the list. Highly recommended for anyone who loves action films, Mom, the Flag and Apple Pie, or the Duke himself.
Rating:
Summary: An Epic John Wayne War Film
Review: Iwo Jima was one of the most bloody battles of the Pacific war. Thousands of Japanese and American soldiers lost their lives fighting over this island which was barely five miles long and two miles wide. Republic Pictures produced this timeless movie about that battle. John Wayne gives a stirring performance as Sergeant John Stryker, a tough-as-nails yet compassionate marine who is trying to mold his squad of raw recruits into a fighting machine. John Agar stars as PFC Peter Conway, a college-educated marine who truly dislikes Stryker and his tactics. However, over the course of the film, Conway develops a genuine respect and friendship for Stryker. Forrest Tucker does a marvelous job as PFC Al Thomas, one of the few combat veterans in the squad. The movie begins with the marines training in Hawaii. After completing their training, the squad is sent as part of the invasion force of the island of Tarawa. I found some mistakes made by the producers dealing with this part of the movie. In the film, the landing craft are seen driving directly up to the beach and discharging their men. This is inaccurate. In reality, the marines who actually invaded Tarawa were forced to deploy from their landing craft as far as one half mile from the beach due to a low tide which didn't allow the amphibious craft to get close to the beach. After the Tarawa invasion, the squad goes back for more training and replacements. Finally, it was on to Iwo Jima. The actual battle scenes on Iwo Jima only last about 15 to 20 minutes, but the fighting was very realistic, especially the flag raising on Mt. Surabachi. The three surviving flag raisers, Rene Gagnon, Ira Hayes, and John Bradley, actually took part in the flag raising in the movie. I enjoyed this movie very much. The colorized version was especially good, although some of the colors looked strange. John Wayne, John Agar, Forrest Tucker, and the entire cast helped bring the war in the Pacific and especially Iwo Jima to life. This rates as one of John Wayne's best performances. For more information about Iwo Jima, I recommend the books "Iwo Jima" by Bill Ross and "Flags of our Fathers" by James Bradley.
Rating:
Summary: An Epic John Wayne War Film
Review: Iwo Jima was one of the most bloody battles of the Pacific war. Thousands of Japanese and American soldiers lost their lives fighting over this island which was barely five miles long and two miles wide. Republic Pictures produced this timeless movie about that battle. John Wayne gives a stirring performance as Sergeant John Stryker, a tough-as-nails yet compassionate marine who is trying to mold his squad of raw recruits into a fighting machine. John Agar stars as PFC Peter Conway, a college-educated marine who truly dislikes Stryker and his tactics. However, over the course of the film, Conway develops a genuine respect and friendship for Stryker. Forrest Tucker does a marvelous job as PFC Al Thomas, one of the few combat veterans in the squad. The movie begins with the marines training in Hawaii. After completing their training, the squad is sent as part of the invasion force of the island of Tarawa. I found some mistakes made by the producers dealing with this part of the movie. In the film, the landing craft are seen driving directly up to the beach and discharging their men. This is inaccurate. In reality, the marines who actually invaded Tarawa were forced to deploy from their landing craft as far as one half mile from the beach due to a low tide which didn't allow the amphibious craft to get close to the beach. After the Tarawa invasion, the squad goes back for more training and replacements. Finally, it was on to Iwo Jima. The actual battle scenes on Iwo Jima only last about 15 to 20 minutes, but the fighting was very realistic, especially the flag raising on Mt. Surabachi. The three surviving flag raisers, Rene Gagnon, Ira Hayes, and John Bradley, actually took part in the flag raising in the movie. I enjoyed this movie very much. The colorized version was especially good, although some of the colors looked strange. John Wayne, John Agar, Forrest Tucker, and the entire cast helped bring the war in the Pacific and especially Iwo Jima to life. This rates as one of John Wayne's best performances. For more information about Iwo Jima, I recommend the books "Iwo Jima" by Bill Ross and "Flags of our Fathers" by James Bradley.
Rating:
Summary: Sending in the Marines
Review: John Wayne leads his men into battle in the Pacific in this film that pays tribute to the work done by the Marines during World War II. Wayne plays it tough as the no-nonsense sergeant that clashes with marine John Agar, the son of his mentor. The emphasis in this film is on the action, which is what it should be, although the usual stock characters are brought out to round out the supporting cast. Real life battle footage is effectively mixed in with studio work to create a realistic feel to all that is happening. When you watch a John Wayne war flick, you pretty much know what you're going to get, and this one hardly surprises. But it is competently made, well acted by Wayne, and an easy way to fill in a couple of hours.
Rating:
Summary: Good moving war drama
Review: John Wayne once again plays the all American hero. This time he trains a group of young men as a drill instructor in the Marines,then takes them into combat. It,s generally routine Wayne stuff, but it has a good story,good cast and a lot of action. If your not a Wayne fan you would probably give this a three,because John Wayne almost always plays John Wayne, but parts like this fit his mold. I found it entertaining all through.
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