PACIFIC, THE: IWO JIMA {EPISODE 8} (TV)
Summary
The eighth episode in this ten-part historical miniseries, a companion piece to 2001's "Band of Brothers," depicting the Pacific Theatre of World War II as described in the memoirs of several United States Marine Corps veterans. On Pavuvu, Sledge is saddened to find one of Captain Haldane's books in the trash and keeps it for himself. Snafu frets that he dying of hepatitis, and De L'Eau is upset when he is transferred to another company. In America, Basilone and his brothers read from a script on the radio, urging listeners to support the war effort. During a family dinner, Basilone admits that he does not want to be famous, and eventually visits Lieutenant General Vandegrift and tells him that he is sick of desk work and wants to be sent back to train new recruits. He arrives at Camp Pendleton and keeps himself fit as he waits for the new privates, and though only two arrive at first, he carries on and trains Evanson and Tatum strictly, reminding them that their errors could lead to their friends' deaths as well as their own.
Later, Basilone spots the beautiful Lena Riggi in the dining hall, but unlike her friends she does not seem starstruck to see him, reminding him that she too is a sergeant. He tries to impress her by using his celebrity to get them a dinner table at the fancy Biltmore Hotel, but she firmly tells him that she is aware of his womanizing ways and does not intend to fall for his tricks. His captain reminds him that his enlistment is soon up, and he finds Lena again and asks her out properly. She turns him down for dinner, but challenges him to an early-morning breakfast in the mess hall, and he accepts. He awakens his privates at dawn for a run, and when one man complains that he wants to "slap a Jap," Basilone upbraids them angrily for underestimating their enemy, reminding the formidable Japanese soldier is to be respected and feared. Lena makes breakfast for him, noting that he is a pampered Italian mama's boy, and they bond as they share personal stories about their war experience so far. Basilone continues training his men, giving them tips on carrying the hot, heavy guns without injury, and his relationship with Lena deepens as they spend at day at the beach.
The commanding officer tells the new Marines that they will soon by shipping out, and notes that Basilone will be joining them after all. He goes to Lena and admits that he reenlisted, and knowing that they will soon be separated, the two decide to marry. After the ceremony in July 1944, they head to a private cottage for a brief honeymoon, where they discuss their plans for the future and hopes for children. On D-Day, however, Basilone finds himself on the chaotic beach of Iwo Jima alongside Evanson, Tatum and his other men. Once again he leads his men efficiently, taking out a machine gunner and running through the trenches to set his squad up in a safe place. He assists another group pinned down by a tank, but on his way back to his men, he is hit by mortar shrapnel and collapses. He bleeds out slowly and dies in the dirt amongst many other Marines, his celebrity status now irrelevant. Lena, a widow after only seven months of marriage, mourns her husband as she sits on the beach.
Details
- NETWORK: HBO
- DATE: May 2, 2010 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:56:12
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 110531
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical; World War II - Pacific campaign; Miniseries
- SERIES RUN: HBO - TV series, 2010
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Tom Hanks … Executive Producer
- Steven Spielberg … Executive Producer
- Gary Goetzman … Executive Producer
- Eugene Kelly … Co-Executive Producer
- Tony To … Co-Executive Producer
- Graham Yost … Co-Executive Producer
- Bruce C. McKenna … Co-Executive Producer
- Tim Van Patten … Supervising Producer
- Steven Shareshian … Producer
- Todd London … Producer
- Cherylanne Martin … Producer
- George Pelecanos … Co-Producer
- Kirk Saduski … Co-Producer
- Miura Kite … Co-Producer
- Robert Schenkkan … Co-Producer, Writer
- Michelle Ashford … Co-Producer, Writer
- Jonathan Brytus … Associate Producer
- April Nocifora … Associate Producer
- Jennifer Jackson … Associate Producer
- David Taritero … Visual Effects Producer
- Tom Clary … Visual Effects Producer
- Christina Graff … Visual Effects Producer
- Ineke Majoor … Visual Effects Producer
- David Nutter … Director
- Jeremy Podeswa … Director
- Eugene B. Sledge … Based on the book by
- Robert Leckie … Based on the book by
- Chuck Tatum … Based on the book by
- Hans Zimmer … Music by
- Blake Neely … Music by
- Geoff Zanelli … Music by
- James Badge Dale … Cast, PFC Robert Leckie
- Joe Mazzello … Cast, Pvt. Eugene Sledge
- Jon Seda … Cast, Sgt. John Basilone
- Dwight Braswell … Cast, PFC "Steve" Evanson
- Rami Malek … Cast, Cpl. Merriell "Snafu" Shelton
- Martin McCann … Cast, Sgt. R.V. Burgin
- Annie Parisse … Cast, Sgt. Lena Riggi
- Dylan Young … Cast, PFC Jay De L'Eau
- Ian Bliss … Cast, Capt. Le Francois
- Ben Esler … Cast, PFC Charles Tatum
- Lelia Goldoni … Cast, Dora Basilone
- Les Hill … Cast, 1st Lt. Ben Sohn
- Stephen Leeder … Cast, Lt Gen. Alexander Vandegrift
- Luigi Lucente … Cast, Carlo Basilone
- Liam McIntyre … Cast, Lew
- Paul Pantano … Cast, Angelo Basilone
- Bruce Shapiro … Cast, Radio Announcer
- Joseph R. Sicari … Cast, Salvatore Basilone
- Leeanna Walsman … Cast, Cpl. Lucy Otis