Sands Of Iwo Jima Film Analysis

The influence of Hollywood can be seen increasing or decreasing the public’s perception of a person, group, or cause in the matter of moments. John Wayne is one that can be argued to have had am extremely large impact on the creation/influence of war films through personal views. In Allan Dwan’s film Sands of Iwo Jima, the most expensive film to date, he we give John Wayne the nod for the lead role of Sergeant Srkyer, whose job was to lead a group of inexperienced Marines into Iwo Jima. This would be Wayne’s first Academy Award nomination, thus solidifying his emerging influence in Hollywood. Though John Wayne had no military experience whatsoever, his political beliefs, and his portrayal of an American within his films helped him gain support from high national figures. In a speech before the American Legion Convention, General Douglas MacArthur praised Wayne’s performance in Sands of Iwo Jima (1949) by declaring, he represents the American serviceman better than the American serviceman himself.

His heroic popularity would continue to grow in producer Darryl F. Zanuck’s film, The Longest Day(1962). The

He hoped his film would play a role in the struggle against Communism in the emerging nations, that through it he could “sell America to countries threatened with Communist domination.. and put new heart and faith into all the worlds free people..” Thus hinting at Wayne’s pro-war stance toward the conflict in Vietnam. In addition, Wayne’s use of Westerns to justify/accept America’s involvement in Vietnam would become essential element in the heroic style and public image of America’s counterinsurgency warriors. In one remarkable speech, John Wayne tells the journalist “Out here, due process is a bullet.” Is that our policy? For Wayne, soft liberals who undermined our patriotic will were far more dangerous than regiments of murderous