Arenas sangrientas

First, Addressing the "Elephant in the Room", Ultra-Republican John Wayne and His Lack of Enthusiasm about Serving in Real-Life During WWII.

Wayne Didn't Push to be "Overlooked" During the War Years, but Also Didn't Push to Join the Troops Either. That's OK.

It's a Choice that Succeeding "Draftees" and Other Men have to Make with Regards to Their Own Conscience.

But John Wayne Made it a Point to be Uber-Patriotic as His Career Marched On.

He Pointed Fingers and was Braggadocios about Flag-Waving and during Viet Nam, for Example was Outright Hostile to Anyone who Didn't Wave the Flag and Fall-In Lock-Step to the Government's Nam Policy.

In Fact, it Became Wayne's Persona Until the Day He Died.

This Film, one of Only Two Oscar Nominations, is Sighted as one of the "Duke's" Most Iconic and Best Performances, along with "The Searchers" (1956) and "The Quiet Man" (1952).

While Wayne's "Presence" here is Undeniable, the Highlight of the Movie is the Real Gritty War Footage.

Seamlessly Coupled with the Hollywood Shoot to Present a Verisimilitude that Rarely Occurs in War Movies.

It's Fantastic and Makes the Movie.

The Titular Battle and the "Flag Raising" is Almost an Afterthought and takes place in the Last 25 Minutes or so.

But it is an Excellent and Even-Handed Account of the Marines and the Battles They Fought.