To the Shores of Iwo Jima (1945) Director: John Ford, Gregg Toland Studio: United States Navy / U.S. War Department Starring: (Documentary footage – U.S. Marines featured) Release Date: July 1945 Runtime: 21 minutes Format: Black-and-White, Documentary Short Country: United States Language: English Genres: Documentary, War, Historical --- Summary: *To the Shores of Iwo Jima* is a short documentary capturing the harrowing events of the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Filmed with real combat footage, the film presents the bravery, struggle, and determination of U.S. Marines as they fight to capture the strategically vital island from Japanese forces. The documentary emphasizes the human cost of war, the heroism of the soldiers, and the intensity of the Pacific Theater battle, providing an authentic and sobering look at one of the war’s most iconic engagements. --- Background: Directed by legendary filmmaker John Ford with cinematography by Gregg Toland, the film was produced by the U.S. Navy as a propaganda and morale-boosting piece for both domestic and military audiences. It was released shortly after the battle ended in early 1945, highlighting the success and sacrifice of American forces. The documentary served to inform and inspire viewers, while also preserving an important historical record of the conflict. --- Trivia: * The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) in 1945. * John Ford, known for his classic Hollywood Westerns, was commissioned by the Navy to capture authentic wartime footage. * Much of the footage was shot under dangerous combat conditions, giving the documentary a raw and realistic perspective. * The film influenced later war documentaries and is considered an important record of the Pacific Theater during WWII. --- Hashtags: \#ToTheShoresOfIwoJima #JohnFord #WWII #USMarines #WarDocumentary #IwoJima #ClassicDocumentary #HistoricalFilm