Sands of Iwo Jima

Hugely successful Republic flag-waver, recounting in heroic terms the World War II capture of a strategic Pacific island by US marines. Wayne is in his element as the tough sergeant sternly moulding a group of recruits, from training camp to beachhead, into an efficient fighting force. They hate him for it, but he only wants them to stay alive, as they eventually learn. Dwan's deft handling of the action counteracts the dramatic clichés of the conflict between Wayne and his rebellious substitute son, Agar.