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on January 16, 2017
Although a great movie, this Blu-Ray transfer leaves a lot to be desired. It's not a bad transfer, just not anything better than good. It's hard to believe it was a transfer from original film elements, because the resolution, clarity and sharpness seem more on par with DVD quality rather than Blu-Ray. One thing that makes a good Blu-ray noticeable is how the fabric of shirts and dresses appears in close-ups and closer shots. Blu-Ray transfers allow us to see the makeup of the fabric. You can nearly see the thread count. But DVD quality won't show this. This transfer gives the impression of being a DVD quality transfer that was put on a Blu-Ray. Disappointing in that respect, but the movie itself, regardless of being an inferior transfer, is still a great movie.
on July 21, 2014
1949, with a childhood friend, was the first time I saw this movie. I was 10 years old and idolized John Wayne. He portrayed a tough Marine "Sargent Stryker". I enjoyed watchimg it again when I just purchaced this DVD on Amazon over 60 years later. The only differance was, I am 75 now. I enjoyed seeing it as much as I did, way back when I was a kid.
I won't get into the plot of this flick, but, You will enjoy this WWII saga as much as I did, then and now. My advice is to get it, you will not be sorry you did.
I won't get into the plot of this flick, but, You will enjoy this WWII saga as much as I did, then and now. My advice is to get it, you will not be sorry you did.
on August 24, 2017
(4.5 stars) Good cast, good action, good story. Of course, it's also propaganda to a degree. But still, as movies of this type go, this is a very good one. Just two things (not really spoilers, but you've been warned): 1) In the fight between John Wayne and Forrest Tucker, Wayne's first punch sounds before he actually strikes Tucker; 2) Wayne meets a lady in a night spot and goes back to her place. When she leaves for a couple of minutes to get more liquor, he hears a noise in another room and opens the door. There's a baby boy in crib. So the mother was out and left the kid home alone for who knows how long. I just thought that was odd. But otherwise, this was a generally solid movie.
on August 11, 2015
I believe this is the classic World War II Marine Corps story; John Wayne at his hawkish best. After watching this movie over and over for 50 odd years, it remains the iconic Marine Corps story of WWII. Maybe the Duke was at his best as he tried to live down his failure to serve in the military during the war. At any rate, I'll continue to believe it is one of the best war movies ever made.
on November 28, 2014
Great movie with authentic action and some at-the-time war film mixed into real action invasion forces. With the cooperation of the USMC, this film won awards in 1950 and was a boost to the good name and appearance of not only John Wayne but also the USMC.
The video was clear, excellent black & white contrast. The special “making of” feature was with Leonard Malton with interviews with John Wayne’s son, John Agar and others.
It was interesting seeing what the think was at the time regarding the Marines and the war effort at Iwo Jima. Forrest Tucker was especially good as Thomas, a foil against Stryker (Wayne), and John Agar’s character, trying to live up to his father’s fame as a Marine but would rather not.
The death scenes were heart-tugging and authentic. The Japanese were portrayed as pretty evil and heartless, which is what I would expect from a film made only a few years after World War II.
The sideways romance with Agar’s character was played up but was not really a vital part of the film. Wayne’s performance was flawless.
Critics on Amazon seem hard on Wayne for not being in the military which is quite unfair and they should really get their facts straight. In the film, Wayne’s son says his father was a great supporter. The USMC actually reviewed the film and made suggestions for its production, and even provided Camp Pendelton for the invasion scenes.
Recommended.
PS: If you were ever a fan of F-Troop, it is interesting to note Forrest Tucker later becoming a TV comedian. And if you were a fan of the police show Adam 12, a very young Martin Milner makes an appearance.
The video was clear, excellent black & white contrast. The special “making of” feature was with Leonard Malton with interviews with John Wayne’s son, John Agar and others.
It was interesting seeing what the think was at the time regarding the Marines and the war effort at Iwo Jima. Forrest Tucker was especially good as Thomas, a foil against Stryker (Wayne), and John Agar’s character, trying to live up to his father’s fame as a Marine but would rather not.
The death scenes were heart-tugging and authentic. The Japanese were portrayed as pretty evil and heartless, which is what I would expect from a film made only a few years after World War II.
The sideways romance with Agar’s character was played up but was not really a vital part of the film. Wayne’s performance was flawless.
Critics on Amazon seem hard on Wayne for not being in the military which is quite unfair and they should really get their facts straight. In the film, Wayne’s son says his father was a great supporter. The USMC actually reviewed the film and made suggestions for its production, and even provided Camp Pendelton for the invasion scenes.
Recommended.
PS: If you were ever a fan of F-Troop, it is interesting to note Forrest Tucker later becoming a TV comedian. And if you were a fan of the police show Adam 12, a very young Martin Milner makes an appearance.
on March 29, 2010
An absolutely great film! It is set against the backdrop of WWII in the Pacific, with new 'boots' (recruits) being assimilated into a rifle squad led by one of the toughest Marines they'd ever want to meet (John Wayne plays Sgt John M. Stryker). He has his failings (an estranged wife and an alcohol problem), but is deadly serious when it comes to getting them ready for combat. John Agar plays one of Sgt Stryker's recruits, and is a highly intelligent young man who reluctantly joins the the Corps not out of a sense of duty, but because of family ties to the Corps. He is belligerent to Stryker's entreaties to get him to come around to the training and importance of what is at stake, but Stryker will get his squad 'squared away', no matter how much all his recruits hate him. Its 'his way or sickbay'. Sent to fight in the battle of Tarawa, all his charges soon learn how deadly serious combat is. Of note in the Tarawa sequence are the cameos by Gen. David Shoup and Major 'Jim' Crowe, veterans of and leaders at the battle for Tarawa. In a scene were Stryker's given the command to stay put so as not to give away the thinness of their understrength line to the enemy, he shows how far he will go to carry out orders, no matter how terrible the circumstances, or the personal pain or cost. In the Iwo Jima sequence (complete with cameos by three surviving flag raisers on Surabachi), he leads from the front, and though not as graphic as some would want in this era of 'Saving Private Ryan' realism, the human cost and sacrifice is always portrayed. The negative reviewers must put into perspective the time this film was released (1949). For a movie of its day, it was full of about as much realism as was allowed. As a Marine of 24 years of active service, it does say something when, to this day, Marines want to have all the positive virtues of a Sgt Stryker. It is an enduring legacy left to us by the toughest Marines of the past and embodied in this truly iconic film.
on November 9, 2012
"Sands of Iwo Jima" starring John Wayne is a movie that is a little hard-to-find, but well worth the effort.
Wayne plays the classic Platoon Sergeant Stryker character "to the hilt" as he did with his westerns. Hard-hitting, no-nonsense leader who cares much about the men under his command. Training hard as Marines have done for about 170 years (circa point-in-time of WWII) Wayne's character leads his men on many successful missions with a minimum of men lost during the battles preceeding Iwo Jima. He trained his men well.
In the climatic "flag raising" scene, the men who participated in the movie are the actual men who both fought on Iwo Jima and raised the flag for real, including American Indian, Issac Hayes.
Keeping in mind that "Sands of Iwo Jima" was filmed shortly after WWII, the sound is not what we're used to in the 21st century. I would suggest for the music soundtrack & battle scenes to "punch" the Equalizer & sub-woofer to the max.
Can't say for certain, but since "Sands" isn't that available for general sale (brand new), poke around on Amazon.com as I did.
Wayne plays the classic Platoon Sergeant Stryker character "to the hilt" as he did with his westerns. Hard-hitting, no-nonsense leader who cares much about the men under his command. Training hard as Marines have done for about 170 years (circa point-in-time of WWII) Wayne's character leads his men on many successful missions with a minimum of men lost during the battles preceeding Iwo Jima. He trained his men well.
In the climatic "flag raising" scene, the men who participated in the movie are the actual men who both fought on Iwo Jima and raised the flag for real, including American Indian, Issac Hayes.
Keeping in mind that "Sands of Iwo Jima" was filmed shortly after WWII, the sound is not what we're used to in the 21st century. I would suggest for the music soundtrack & battle scenes to "punch" the Equalizer & sub-woofer to the max.
Can't say for certain, but since "Sands" isn't that available for general sale (brand new), poke around on Amazon.com as I did.
on June 18, 2013
After serving with the Marine Corps during War, this is an excellent depiction of a small unit in War. I personally would have liked more scenes about how the unit cohesion develops. The love story was insipid, the female character wasn't developed enough and had the sex appeal of a water buffalo. But, it was a different era in our history, and it seemed to me the way headquarters saw the women at that time. The tactics and strategy again reflected Headquarters attitude. As for the interaction within the squad, that was perfectly drawn, because the 'real' corps does not always march in lock step with orders or headquarters. Out of survival and daily living, sometimes marines adapt to the time and place; respect, love, and hate, rise and fall daily like the tide. Sometimes a good 'kick in the ass' does more than reams of orders. Leaving out the 'sex', so called, would have made it a superb movie.
on November 7, 2015
My husband is a big John Wayne fan and he has lots of VHS videos. I have been trying to replace many of our VHS tapes with DVDs, so I decided to start with the husbands stuff because most of my movies are already DVDs and he has a lot more VHS than I do. I thought it would be nice to give him these for Christmas this year because he is a bit hard to buy for, he already has enough clothes and such and tools, etc. So I figured this is what I would do this year. By buying some of the DVDs with several movies on them, I have already been able to replace all of his John Wayne Collection and then some. I'm one happy camper since I've been able to find these DVDs on Amazon. Thanks Amazon!!!
