At The Movies

AT THE MOVIES (MAY 29, 2023)

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

In this special edition of At The Movies, I am showcasing the film “Sands of Iwo Jima“, a 1949 WWII movie starring John Wayne as Marine Sgt. John Stryker.

Despised by his own men for his rough attitude and exhausting training regimen, Marine Sgt. Stryker is a hard-nosed soldier who will accept nothing but excellence from those in his command. As the war in the Pacific progresses, though, the young marines begin to respect Stryker’s hard-edged outlook on war and his brutal training methods, as it has helped them prepare for the harsh realities of the battlefield. They’ll need all of Stryker’s battle tactics if they want to survive what will end up being one of the bloodiest engagements of the war: the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Among the widely recognized tunes featured in the movie is the beloved “Marines’ Hymn” composed by Jacques Offenbach in 1867; you may know it better by the name “From the Halls of Montezuma”. No matter what you choose to call it, this is one great patriotic tune!

Here is “The Marines’ Hymn” performed by the United States Marine Corps Marching Band.

Now for a short video clip from the movie “Sands of Iwo Jima“:

To all who observe Memorial Day, I wish you a very happy holiday. In our hearts and minds this day are all the brave men and women who gave their lives in military service. Lest we forget.

Thanks for joining me today for this special installment of At The Movies. Stay safe, my friends, and take care of yourselves!

See you on the flip side.

I am The Sicilian Storyteller

NAR © 2023

14 thoughts on “AT THE MOVIES (MAY 29, 2023)”

    1. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never seen this movie. Now that you have shared this clip with us, I’m going to make a point of watching it. That was quite impressive! Thanks for showing me something new, A! I hope you had an enjoyable Memorial Day.

      Like

      Reply

      1. In Shakespeare’s play “Henry V”, the “band of brothers” speech is spoken by King Henry V to his soldiers before the Battle of Agincourt. The Battle of Agincourt occurred on Saint Crispin’s Day, October 25, 1415. On that day, a small English force defeated an overwhelmingly more powerful French force.

        “Henry V” is reported to have been first performed in 1599 and published in 1600. I find it amazing that it words still resonate over 400 years later.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  4. Although many wish Memorial Day (and similar holidays) to be about barbecue-esque Best We Forget, I wish to all who observe such days to be meaningful and Lest We Forget.

    The dual Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima by Clint Eastwood, I consider to be masterpieces in war cinemagography/ commentary.

    And may I offer a music video for this day… I will strongly encourage you to watch it in its entirety … there is a statistic at the end that conveniently is ignored.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

Tell me what you're thinking. 🖊️