Sands of Iwo Jima

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Sands of Iwo Jima

Released Mar 1, 1950

1h 50m

War

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100%

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13 Reviews

80%

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5,000+ Ratings

Marine Sgt. John Stryker (John Wayne) is despised by his own men for his rough attitude and exhausting training regimen. As the war in the Pacific progresses, though, they begin to respect Stryker's hard-edged outlook on war and his brutal training methods, as it has helped them prepare for the harsh realities of the battlefield. They'll need all of Stryker's battle tactics if they want to survive what will end up being one of the bloodiest engagements of the war: the Battle of Iwo Jima.

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Frank J. Avella

The Contending

The film blends striking real footage of the battle with Dwan’s newly shot scenes. That lends the movie a hard authenticity and makes it quite compelling.

Rated: B

Apr 28, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

This is compelling stuff, distinguished by some of the best battle sequences ever placed on film.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 27, 2025

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... a rare role for Wayne to show a darker side of his persona... which earned him his first Academy Award nomination.

Aug 19, 2023

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

One of John Wayne's best performances, and an entertainment above average on its own.

Rated: 5/5

Mar 8, 2008

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

In one of his best roles, Wayne's Stryker is a sergeant disliked by his recruits due to his ruthless training and rigid code of ethics. The film established the two-generational plot as a Wayne staple, here contrasted with John Agar's "soft" soldier.

Rated: B+

Jan 12, 2007

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James Plath

Movie Metropolis

Solid patriotic WWII vehicle for Wayne.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 21, 2005

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Andy F

Brutally realistic and interspersed with real footage this movie marks a high point in both American war movies and John Wayne's career

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/21/24

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Carlton B

John Wayne and Forrest Tucker 2 icons one great movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/24

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Red T

A Classic War Movie. This can be summed up as a reverse Full Metal Jacket. The training scenes are solid but most of the recruits besides Conway blend in. Wayne is the best character in this and is very good. The acting overall is very well done though its just they do lack a lot of in depth character save for Wayne & Conway. The music is solid but is pretty generic save for the Marine theme song. The battle scenes are amazing and the stock footage doesn't feel out of place but gives it a very authentic touch. The special effects are amazing and the action is amazing to think this is from 1949. Besides a few corny moments mostly coming from the non battle scenes this is very well done overall and paced very well. Anyone who is a fan of war films or any actors in this will like this a lot.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/27/23

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SICKS6SIX

Good film. With a cast of 1000s. Pre CGI so the scenes of 1000s on the beach are real people. Ah them were the days. Real people in real places. The sub stories don't add anything to the film IMO they detract from it. So it's a solid 95% from me.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/03/22

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william d

The Sands of Iwo Jima is a guilty pleasure: it's cliched, overwrought, and its attempts at humor fall flat, but I enjoy watching it anyway.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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steve d

Same old same old from Wayne.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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Allan Dwan

Director

John Wayne

Sgt. John M. Stryker

John Agar

Pfc. Peter Conway

Forrest Tucker

Pfc. Al Thomas

Adele Mara

Allison Bromley

Wally Cassell

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Synopsis

Marine Sgt. John Stryker (John Wayne) is despised by his own men for his rough attitude and exhausting training regimen. As the war in the Pacific progresses, though, they begin to respect Stryker's hard-edged outlook on war and his brutal training methods, as it has helped them prepare for the harsh realities of the battlefield. They'll need all of Stryker's battle tactics if they want to survive what will end up being one of the bloodiest engagements of the war: the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Director: Allan Dwan
Producer: Edmund Grainger
Screenwriter: Harry Brown, James Edward Grant
Distributor: Artisan Entertainment, Republic Pictures
Production Co: Republic Pictures Corporation
Genre: War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 1, 1950, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 14, 2014
Runtime: 1h 50m

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