War has played a key role in the history of the United States, from the nation's founding

right down to the present. War made the U.S. independent, kept it together, increased its

size, and established it as a global superpower. Understanding America's wars is essential for understanding American history.

Welcome to Key Battles of American History,

a podcast in which we discuss American history through the lens of the most important battles of America's wars.

Here is your host, James Early.

Thank you. host, James Early. Hello and welcome to another episode of the Pacific War on Film.

This is your host, James Early, as always.

And also, as always, I have my good buddy, fellow Texan, fellow Warbuff, fellow film buff, Sean McIreher.

Sean, how are you, sir?

Howdy.

Howdy, all right.

Let's become Sean's trademark.

You would think he was from Texas or something.

We have a real treat for you, folks.

We have a movie that I don't know that a lot of people have seen, maybe some history buffs have,

but it's kind of a hidden gem, at least for most Americans.

This is the third film in our miniseries on films about the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Two weeks ago, we talked about the John Wayne film, Sands of Iwojima from

1949. Last week we talked about Clint Eastwood's excellent, if somewhat flawed film called

Flags of Our Fathers. And this week, we are talking about one that I don't think has a lot of flaws.

Okay, I'm already kind of showing my hand here, Sean, but Sean and I really like this movie.

...