LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.8|5.0 Stars ìììì

Letters from Iwo Jima—another terrific Clint Eastwood directed film—tells the Japanese point of view about the World War II American invasion of Iwo Jima. While Eastwood’s previous film, Flags of our Fathers, told the same story from the American point of view and bombed in the box office, this film is a complete success on every level. Eastwood does his research and wisely uses Japanese language with English subtitles for authentic effect. It completely works. The fighting scenes wring the heart while showing General Kuribayashi’s (Ken Watanabe) efforts to lead a good fight, preserve his men, and honorably take his stand under the most bleak of circumstances.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

General Kuribayashi fights Americans at Iwo Jima.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Executive Producer Paul Haggis for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Baron Nishi (Tsuyoshi Ihara), Shimizu (Ryô Kase), Lieutenant Ito (Shidô Nakamura), Lieutenant Fujita (Hiroshi Watanabe), Captain Tanida (Takumi Bando), and Nozaki (Yuki Matsuzaki).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie directs thoughtful contemplation of the concept of winning and losing.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers