Sands of Iwo Jima (1949)
-
100% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
42% want to see it
(6,234 ratings)
From director Allan Dwan, Sands of Iwo Jima is a drama set during the Second World War and follows John Stryker (John Wayne), a relentlessly tough Marine sergeant as he trains a squad of naïve, rebellious recruits at a New Zealand military station in 1943. Recently left by his wife, Stryker has… More From director Allan Dwan, Sands of Iwo Jima is a drama set during the Second World War and follows John Stryker (John Wayne), a relentlessly tough Marine sergeant as he trains a squad of naïve, rebellious recruits at a New Zealand military station in 1943. Recently left by his wife, Stryker has become exceedingly bitter and tough, leading his contemporaries to question his behavior and his men to dislike him for his harsh training methods. The wisdom of Stryker's ways, however, is demonstrated when they fight in the legendary battle of Iwo Jima. Using footage of real WWII battles, the Sands of Iwo Jima features John Wayne's first Academy Award-nominated performance, though Broderick Crawford ultimately won the 1950 Best Actor prize. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi
- Directed By
- Allan Dwan
- Written By
- Harry Brown, James Edward Grant
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics
- Studio
- Republic Pictures Home Video
Critic Reviews
-
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
One of John Wayne's best performances, and an entertainment above average on its own.
-
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.
-
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
Solid patriotic WWII vehicle for Wayne.
-
Tony Medley, Tolucan Times
A rip-snorting 1940s style war movie
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Tailor-made for John Wayne.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
John Wayne
as Sgt. John M. Stryker
-
John Agar
as Pfc. Peter Conway
-
Adele Mara
as Allison Bromley
-
Forrest Tucker
as Pfc. Al Thomas
-
Wally Cassell
as Pfc. Benny Regazzi
-
Arthur Franz
as Cpl. Robert Dunne
-
Julie Bishop
as Mary
-
James Brown
as Pfc. Charlie Bass
-
Richard Webb
as Private First Class Dan Shipley
-
James Holden
as Pfc. Soames
-
Peter Coe
as Private First Class Georgie
-
Richard Jaeckel
as Pfc. Frank Flynn
-
Bill Murphy
as Pfc. Eddie Flynn
-
George Tyne
as Pfc. Harris
-
Hal Fieberling
as Pvt. "Ski" Choynski
-
John McGuire
as Capt.Joyce
-
Martin Milner
as Pvt. Mike McHugh
-
Leonard Gumley
as Pvt. Sid Stein
-
Bill Self
as Pvt. L.D. Fowler Jr.
- H. Hayes Bradley
-
Capt. Harold G. Schrier U.S.M.C.
as Himself
-
David Clarke
as Wounded Marine
-
Col. D.M. Shoup U.S.M.C.
as Himself
-
Bruce Edwards
as Marine
-
The Three Living Survivors of the Fla
as g Raising: Pfc. Rene A. Gagnon Pfc.
-
Dorothy Ford
as Tall Girl
-
Don Haggerty
as Colonel
-
Gil Herman
as Marine
-
I. Stanford Jolley
as Forrestal
-
Lt.Col. H.P. Crowe U.S.M.C.
as Himself
-
Dick Wessel
as Grenade Instructor
-
Dick Jones
as Scared Marine
-
John Whitney
as Lt. Thompson
- James Brown (II)

