Metacritic reviews

John Wayne as the gutsiest sarge and top kick on Iwo Jima, in one of his most prototypical war yarns. Vintage Duke. [09 Jul 2000, p.23C]

This is one of Wayne's finest performances, earning him an Oscar nomination.

This was the film which fixed Wayne's image forever as a tough-as-leather patriot with a well-hidden heart.

Allan Dwan’s film is an intimate rendering of a monumental event, featuring John Wayne in one of his most emotionally complex roles.

Sands of Iwo Jima so easily could have been a great war film instead of just a good one.

Dwan's deft handling of the action counteracts the dramatic clichés of the conflict between Wayne and his rebellious substitute son, Agar.

A gritty and restrained account of men at war. [04 Oct 2008, p.53]

It's loaded with the commercial ingredients of blazing action, scope and spectacle, but it falls short of greatness because of its sentimental core and its superficial commentary on the war.