While the film itself is pretty formulaic, by 1940s standards, it's given some honesty and strength by some very capable cast members, including Forrest Tucker, John Agar, Marty Milner, James Brown and many others--but especially JOHN WAYNE. It's directed in rugged fashion by the very adept Allan Dwan, by no means a household name and yet a director whose career spanned over 300 films.
Ironically, it was Dwan who directed one of Shirley Temple's last teen movies, YOUNG PEOPLE ('40), and here nine years later directing her future husband John Agar in one of his early screen roles as the soldier who despises his sergeant (Wayne).
The story is given good background treatment in the training of marines under hard-edged sergeant Wayne who has to get the men into shape so that he can lead the platoon into battle. Most outstanding in the cast is FORREST TUCKER, the husky blond actor who never quite made it to major stardom but appeared in numerous films of the '40s and '50s, usually in strong supporting roles. Today most fans remember him from AUNTIE MAME (as Roz Russell's Beauregard) or the TV comedy "F Troop". He acquits himself well in a good supporting role.
Wayne has some of his best scenes opposite Tucker, who resents him over a past incident but soon comes to respect his leader's courage and determination to make something out of the soldiers under his command. It's one of Wayne's finest performances--steely-eyed with determination in the close-ups and always sure in handling his characterization to give it more than one dimension. He's sad, tender, tough, gritty, determined and courageous--but a man who admits his own faults and doesn't pretend to be a hero. In short, he's terrific. Watch for the subtlety in the scene where he's so drunk he can hardly stand.
The flag waving element is understandable, given the context of when this was filmed, and the final rousing shot of the men raising the flag over Iwo Jima is very effective. The only real drawback I can think of is that we seldom get even a glimpse of the Japanese these men are presumably fighting--an enemy that is rarely seen. And there is an overuse of real war footage not always blended in realistically with the studio shots.
For John Wayne fans and war movie buffs, this is a must see.
Ironically, it was Dwan who directed one of Shirley Temple's last teen movies, YOUNG PEOPLE ('40), and here nine years later directing her future husband John Agar in one of his early screen roles as the soldier who despises his sergeant (Wayne).
The story is given good background treatment in the training of marines under hard-edged sergeant Wayne who has to get the men into shape so that he can lead the platoon into battle. Most outstanding in the cast is FORREST TUCKER, the husky blond actor who never quite made it to major stardom but appeared in numerous films of the '40s and '50s, usually in strong supporting roles. Today most fans remember him from AUNTIE MAME (as Roz Russell's Beauregard) or the TV comedy "F Troop". He acquits himself well in a good supporting role.
Wayne has some of his best scenes opposite Tucker, who resents him over a past incident but soon comes to respect his leader's courage and determination to make something out of the soldiers under his command. It's one of Wayne's finest performances--steely-eyed with determination in the close-ups and always sure in handling his characterization to give it more than one dimension. He's sad, tender, tough, gritty, determined and courageous--but a man who admits his own faults and doesn't pretend to be a hero. In short, he's terrific. Watch for the subtlety in the scene where he's so drunk he can hardly stand.
The flag waving element is understandable, given the context of when this was filmed, and the final rousing shot of the men raising the flag over Iwo Jima is very effective. The only real drawback I can think of is that we seldom get even a glimpse of the Japanese these men are presumably fighting--an enemy that is rarely seen. And there is an overuse of real war footage not always blended in realistically with the studio shots.
For John Wayne fans and war movie buffs, this is a must see.