The Sands Of Iwo Jima
(Republic, 1949)
One of Republic's top-tier premiere productions, notable at the time for including a lot of actual combat footage from the battles described, and given a fairly comprehensive amount of cooperation from the post-war USMC, this one is an excellent tribute to those portrayed, and was obviously no small part in showcasing the lifelong cinematic power of John Wayne. This movie was the first time in his career he was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar (though not winning this time); the only other time he was so honored was 20 years later for True Grit, when he did win. For someone falsely painted by critics for being a two-dimensional one-trick pony his whole career, this movie stands as one of many obvious counter-examples, showing the considerable range and depth of his talent, such that his fellow actors could easily recognize what many of those critics never would. A great performance, in a great genre, and a great movie by any standard.
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A USMC friend of mine was always ready to point out that he was in that movie and was viewable if you knew just when and where to look over John Wayne's shoulder.
I was actually a bit more impressed by his later actions at places like The Chosin Reservoir.
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