SANDS OF IWO JIMA (1949) B/W 110m dir: Allan Dwan

w/John Wayne, John Agar, Adele Mara, Forrest Tucker, Wally Cassell, James Brown, Richard Webb, Arthur Franz, Julie Bishop, James Holden

Officer's son (Agar) has no liking for the traditions of the Marine Corps, but a tough sergeant (Wayne) makes him see otherwise under the stress of battle. Contains some of the best war scenes ever staged.

From The Movie Guide: "Unlike John Wayne's many WWII films in which he single-handedly destroys whole Japanese battalions, SANDS OF IWO JIMA presents him as a believable, vulnerable human being. ... This is one of Wayne's finest performances, earning him an Oscar nomination. Directed with marvelous restraint by old hand Allan Dwan, SANDS OF IWO JIMA features appearances by three of the Marines who actually participated in the famous flag-raising on Mt. Suribachi --- Ira Hayes, Rene Gagnon, and John Bradley."

The film was also nominated for Oscars for Best Original Screenplay (Harry Brown), Editing, and Sound.