While Clint Eastwood’s later film Flags of Our Fathers offered a more nuanced and historically accurate perspective on the flag raising at Iwo Jima, the classic Sands of Iwo Jima, starring John Wayne, retains its powerful impact even today. The presence of three actual flag raisers, Joseph Bradley, Rene Gagnon, and Ira Hayes, in Sands of Iwo Jima further cements the film’s intriguing position within the mythology surrounding that iconic moment. However, the true significance of Iwo Jima extended far beyond symbolism, rooted in its strategic importance during World War II.
The brutal reality of Iwo Jima was its proximity to the Japanese mainland, less than a thousand miles away. The island’s airfields were crucial for American bombers, enabling land-based flights to reach Japan. Capturing Iwo Jima was a hard-fought campaign that lasted roughly a month, with the celebrated flag raising occurring on the fifth day amidst intense combat. This context of strategic necessity and fierce fighting is essential to understanding the backdrop of Sands of Iwo Jima.
Delving deeper into the historical context, the United States Marine Corps’ journey to becoming the force deployed at Iwo Jima is noteworthy. From its inception during the American Revolution, the Marines faced numerous threats of being disbanded or absorbed into the Army or Navy, even up to World War I. It was the foresight of John A. Lejeune, Commandant of the Marine Corps after World War I, that proved pivotal. Lejeune astutely predicted a future conflict in the Pacific against Japan and recognized that the Marines’ survival depended on specialization. He championed amphibious warfare training, ensuring the Marines were uniquely prepared for the island-hopping campaigns of World War II.
Within this historical framework, Sands of Iwo Jima showcases John Wayne in one of his most iconic roles as Sergeant Striker. Striker embodies the archetype of the hardened Marine Corps veteran, tasked with transforming raw recruits into combat-ready soldiers for the grueling Pacific theater after Guadalcanal. Beyond the battlefield, Striker grapples with personal turmoil, estranged from his wife and son. This complexity added depth to Wayne’s portrayal, earning him his first nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards in 1949. The competitive field that year included Kirk Douglas in Champion, Richard Todd in The Hasty Heart, and Gregory Peck in Twelve O’Clock High, highlighting the prevalence of World War II themes in cinema at the time. While Broderick Crawford ultimately won for All the King’s Men, both Peck and Wayne later received Oscars, solidifying their legendary status.
Adding to the film’s dynamic is John Agar, portraying the son of a former commander of Wayne’s. Agar’s character grapples with resentment towards his father, projecting it onto Wayne as a surrogate authority figure. Julie Bishop and Adele Mara feature as women connected to Wayne and Agar’s characters respectively, offering glimpses of romance amidst the wartime setting. Among the supporting cast in Wayne’s platoon, Wally Cassell stands out as the memorable, street-smart city kid who ingeniously utilizes a tank to aid his comrades in a perilous situation.
While Flags of Our Fathers deconstructs the myth surrounding the flag raising and explores the complexities of heroism and memory, Sands of Iwo Jima embraces the symbolic power of that moment. It leverages this symbolism, in the most respectful sense, to underscore themes of duty, camaraderie, and sacrifice inherent in the Marine experience. Decades after its release, Sands of Iwo Jima endures as a compelling film, anchored by John Wayne’s powerful performance and its potent depiction of Marine Corps valor during one of World War II’s most pivotal battles.
