Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

I have watched this movie on Netflix before it was removed. I have not watched "Flags of our fathers" so I can't compare this movie with its other half, but I found it a good representation of the Japanese, even if maybe the feelings represented are influenced by an American writing of the story.For example the Japanese military police is represented in a harsh way that I have not seen in Japanese movies. The necessity and responsibility the Japanese soldiers felt to defend their country is quite well, maybe not to its full extent, represented, which I imagine could have been difficult to write and watch for Americans. I feel the true Japanese side, ad was felt now, of the events is kind of Americanized or maybe softened in this movie (compare for example with The Emperor in August). On the other hand maybe this movie tells one Japanese side of the history of the war which wouldn't be completely easy to tell by the Japanese without some outside influence.Watanabe is great as usual and the movie is visually good. It lacks"greatness" but it's a nice watch.

You have probably seen many classic old war films of the war in the pacific John Wayne 'Sands of Iwo Jima' etc. This film is a modern classic and (unusually) telling the story through the eyes of a young Japanese soldier. I certainly think Clint Eastwood has shown a lot of talent as a director with this and other films. All the acting is good, the filming and combat scenes grittly realistic. The Americans slowly take the island despite fierce resistance from the Japanese. Whats interesting was seeing the Japanese not just as frothing suicidal banzai fanatics willing to die for the Emperor. but actually as real people. Led by their General who knew their only hope was to cause so much casualties to the Americans that they would rethink invading Japan. Possibly a definition of a classic film is one that you can watch many times because the story, the acting and filming engross you (like a good book). Definitely a classic on the tragedy and futility of war. 8.5/10

Now this is more like it! The second of the two Clint Eastwood-directed films focusing on the battle for Iwo Jima, this is the one from the Japanese viewpoint and it's a bloody good bit of film-making. It also happens to be the darkest film I've ever watched, and that's a list that includes plenty of horror and serial killer movies. Set entirely on the island of Iwo Jima and focusing on the Japanese forces as they prepare for and then eventually fight the Americans, this is a lengthy bit of film-making that's simply spellbinding for every second it plays out. Eastwood strives for realism and achieves it; there are no gung-ho heroics on offer here, no flights of fancy or exciting battles for survival. Instead, the world of LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA is dark, depressing and brutal, where friends die on a routine basis and hope gradually fades as time goes on.The cast is what really makes this film work. In a film focusing so much on characterisation, going so far as to give back stories in flashback to the principle folk involved, the quality of the acting is key and the actors don't disappoint. Ken Watanabe, recalling us of his former glory in THE LAST SAMURAI, presides over things with a subtle and nuanced turn as the unorthodox general; he's fantastic, as are all the rest. I especially loved the young men who prepare for war; we learn that these men are as brave and naïve as the Americans fighting on the other side in FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS. Real emoting is involved and in the end you root for all these characters, which makes what happens so much more powerful.The cinematography is frequently breathtaking and the washed-out look of the film fits the action perfectly. This is an epic in which the quite, intimate moments of dialogue are just as strong as the effects-heavy battle scenes, and everything feels fresh and so alive. There are many moments of brilliance here, including the notorious grenade suicide scene (one of the most disturbing ever put on film), the final, hopeless charge, the fate of the deserter, and the gradual breakdown of communication and leadership within the labyrinthine tunnels of the island. Film-making at its best, and a movie that easily beats SAVING PRIVATE RYAN as one of the great WWII films of all time.

This film recreates the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of Japanese soldiers who fought there. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film has screenplay by Iris Yamashita and the participation of Ken Watanabe, Tsuyoshi Ihara and Kazunari Ninomiya.This film follows another, "Flags of our Fathers", and isn't just another war film focused on World War II. This film shows the crudeness of war, especially in its psychological and human aspect. It seeks to show that, in war, there are no winners or losers because everyone loses, there are no good guys or bad guys, but survivors. Japan, during this historical period, had a mentality focused on patriotism, honor and worship to victory. For them, losing was less dishonorable than escape, in a militaristic code very similar to what was adopted by the Spartans before. Another point raised by the film, although in a more subtle way, is the wartime advertising: for the Japanese, the enemy was always demonized for instigating soldiers to fight to the end, following the precepts of their militarist philosophy and honor code.The actors were up to the challenge, particularly Ken Watanabe, whose character, General Kuribayashi, represents the contradictions of war: after studying and living in the United States before the war, he was now fighting the Americans and taking advantage of his knowledge of their military tactics to anticipate their movements. The use of Japanese language in the film really helped to make it more genuine and also sounds nice. The photograph, heavy and gray, fits well in a film like this and there are certain scenes when it contributes greatly to its beauty. The costumes and weapons are historically accurate and the special, visual and sound effects have enormous quality. The sound is really good and gives great impact to combat scenes. The soundtrack, written by Kyle Eastwood and Michael Stevens, is very interesting, especially the main theme, with a slightly oriental sounding, like a melancholic wail.I usually don't like a lot of Clint Eastwood movies, but I must say I was impressed with this. It deserves to be seen by all who like a good war movie, action or a movie linked to historical events. If it's true that all those who don't remember History are doomed to repeat it, this movie might help that this never happens again.