Iwo Jima, a tiny island 660 miles from Tokyo, was defended by 21,000 Japanese soldiers determined to fight to the death. The US campaign, which began on February 19, 1945, was expected to last only a few days. Instead it claimed the lives of nearly 7,000 Marines and lasted for over a month.  Transforming scenes from over 40 reels of combat footage into a timeless tribute for all veterans who fought during World War II, Iwo Jima: Red Blood/Black Sand brings the bloodiest battle in Marine Corps history to life. For the veterans who survived the ordeal, the memories are painful. In Iwo Jima: Red Blood/Black Sand, many talk for the first time about a battle that has haunted them for almost half a century.