This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

The Worst Film Ever

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

RELEASED IN 2006 and directed by Clint Eastwood, "Letters from Iwo Jima" chronicles The Battle of Iwo Jima, which took place February 19–March 26, 1945. Of the approximately 21,000 Japanese entrenched on the island about 18,000 died either from fighting or by ritual suicide. Only 216 were captured during the battle, but close to 3,000 were later found hiding in the caves & tunnels.While this is an American-Japanese co-production, it was written by Japanese and the main cast is entirely Japanese (e.g. Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Ryo Kase, etc.). Bitter critics complained that the movie is sympathetic toward the Japanese and their stubborn emperor worship. While it's true that the movie does humanize them despite their renowned brutality during the war, it potently shows the folly of worshipping the martial state and the inevitable ramifications (doom).In theory, Japan's government was a constitutional monarchy during WWII but, in fact, it was a military junta (dictatorship) and therefore totalitarian in nature. The movie effectively shows the harebrained ideology of government-worship and the corresponding misguided "honor" of sacrificing oneself for the malevolent goals of said government. What a waste! "Letters from Iwo Jima" also powerfully details the American threat to the remote isle and its militants. Put simply, these boys came to kick total axx. Their aim was to bomb/shoot/whatever first and ask questions later. If I were there I would've done the same because the Japanese made it clear that this was a fight to the death. I'm actually surprised at how many Japanese POWs were taken (216 but, like I said, almost 3000 were eventually found in the caves & tunnels). By contrast, only 2 Marines were captured by the Japanese, but they died of their wounds while captive.The first 44 minutes are a set-up wherein the characters and their desperate situation on the isle are established before the action starts. From there it gets seriously brutal and increasingly dismal till the climax. For balance, be sure to see Eastwood's companion piece "Flags of Our Fathers," which debuted two months prior.THE MOVIE RUNS 141 minutes and was shot in Barstow & Bakersfield, California, with establishing shots of Iwo Jima. WRITERS: Iris Yamashita (and Paul Haggis) from the books by Tadamichi Kuribayashi & Tsuyoko Yoshido.GRADE: B+/A-

After thoroughly enjoying Clint Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers", I was inspired to check out his Japanese-perspective companion piece "Letters From Iwo Jima". Although the film was not bad by any means, it failed (were so many other Eastwood films have succeeded) to really surprise me or get me thinking about deeper issues.Basically, the film centers on the Iwo Jima invasion in the Pacific Theater of World War II, only from the Japanese army perspective. The technical aspects of the battle, such as defending Mt. Suribachi, are discussed, but the movie really is about showing the differences between what the U.S. and Japan viewed as being honorable in battle. Whereas the U.S. would give it's all and then retreat (to save lives) if the battle was not deemed winnable, Japanese soldiers were expected to die at their post (a sort of throw-back to the old samurai Bushido culture), even if that meant committing suicide so as not to be taken prisoner.While it was interesting to become more educated on these differences, I found there to be too few "wow" moments during the film. I came in with the expectation of seeing the Iwo Jima battle from the Japanese perspective, and that is exactly what I got...no more, no less. It's not like Eastwood's other recent films (Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino, etc.), where they build on complex themes and touch on heavy societal issues. This one is more cut-and-dry.One positive area I would like to single out, however, is the musical score. The plinking piano and soulful strings of Kyle Eastwood did more to tug at my heart-strings than any of the character performances. Eastwood (both Sr. and Jr.) has developed quite a positive reputation for the music of his films, and in no way does this one disappoint.Thus, if able, I would have given this film a "3.5 star" rating. It's better than "just okay" due to the interesting perspective and touching music, but not quite "really good" because of the lack of emotional depth. Also, the sooner you watch it after "Flags of our Fathers", the better, as the subject matter will be fresh in your brain.

I watched it on Netflix tonight and I wasn't disappointed. I have to admit that I didn't know exactly what kind of strategical importance this isle had for the United States and Japan. In the first thirty minutes happened not much because the story focused more on the introduction of the characters and human side. Then the attacks and explosions began but it was always put in question if this war makes a real sense. The combats were well executed and the picture was one of the finest I have seen so far in a WW2 movie. Clint Eastwood directed very clever and sensible this historical document without losing any details. I recommend to watch in the original language with subtitles. It gives more depth and credibility to each scene. It gave me for the first time an idea how the Japanese themselves experienced this nightmare on Iwo Jima. All the actors delivered a great performance and I thank all the staff for this. If you are interested in Second World War this is a must see. God bless all the fallen victims. 7/10.

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.