Sands of Iwo Jima

John Wayne never fought in World War II, but he came to define Hollywood's ideal American soldier—relentless, unstoppable, and unfailingly patriotic. In 1949's Sands of Iwo Jima—inspired by the iconic photo of the raising of the American flag on Iwo Jima that was featured on the cover of Life magazine—Wayne plays Sgt. John Stryker, who is tough and pitiless whether he is preparing recruits or leading men into battle. Stryker is despised by his troops for what they see as sadistic abuse, but of course it is precisely that training which ultimately keeps them alive and binds them as a fighting force. Working in a postwar environment, veteran director Allan Dwan was free to present a more complex portrait of men in combat. Audiences knew Wayne for his portrayals of uncomplicated heroes, so the shading here—including a drinking binge that leaves Stryker an angry, somewhat self-pitying drunk—was unexpected, revealing the character to be a vulnerable and damaged man who sacrificed almost everything for service to his country. In addition to Wayne (who here earned his first Academy Award nomination), Sands of Iwo Jima also features John Agar, Richard Jaeckel, and Forrest Tucker in supporting roles. Newly remastered for DVD and its Blu-ray debut, this is one of the most interesting World War II movies to come out of the classic Hollywood era. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)