In general I like Waynes western more but this one is OK. You have to give in to the fact that movies back then where very much different from today in all aspects. And of course you have to accept the pathos that comes with the post war WWII movie Made in America.

The combat scenes in this film are quite compelling. Sands of Iwo Jima does a good job showing scenarios that may get brushed over in modern war films. I was especially pulled in when real combat footage would be mixed in with what was filmed for the movie. You can tell when they mix footage, but it added a raw edge that really stood out to me. It's the type of Drama during this time period in cinema that I feel like holds the movie back. When the troops are out of the fight, the movie just seems to drag, their emotional conflicts are really spelled out for you. It's classic John Wayne, and worth the watch if you're into war films. Made me want to go and rewatch Flags of Our Father's.