perhaps for 1954 this be ok and but i do not think it stand the test of time at all . generally faithful to the book and i do not know if this movie or book create the formula of a intellectual and a street wise punk and a country hick and etc and etc in a unit but this movie sure follow that formula . it very traditional . kid who be patriotic enlist in ww2 to fight . they meet woman and become marine and want to fight . the battle scene be ok for their time and i do not need to see gore to make it real and this movie do not glorify war . i find it interest the dvd cover show scantily clad ( for 1954 ) woman and and half of the movie center around the men and woman who meet and fall in or out of love . there be historical error which normally do not bother me one scene show black marine and they be not integrate in 1942 and army unit relieve the marine on guadalcanel and tarawa be over in three horrific day . if you fast forward to 1987 and you see pretty much the exact same formula in full metal jacket and but with more graphic gore . maybe i be too harsh . it exactly what you would expect of a 1954 war movie make about ww2 patriotic and sentimental and clichéd .