Letters From Iwo Jima / Flags of Our Fathers

I recently saw both Letters From Iwo Jima and Flags of Our Fathers. I think Letters From Iwo Jima made a stronger emotional impact that Flags of Our Fathers. But both had their moments and were noteworthy for the amazing battle sequences, but it was the human story in both that resonated. I think there were elements of both films that were whitewashed as well. For example, in Letters From Iwo Jima two of the military commanders had lived in America and were sympathetic to the enemy. This was a sort of mini-motif. From what I understand, the reason so many soldiers committed suicide was a combination of the bushido samurai spirit and effective propaganda dehumanizing the Americans as savages, and there was very little of that in the film. I know that this was the case in the Battle of Okinawa when I visited the memorials there and read what lengths the civilians did to avoid capture. I wonder if the anti-Native American Indian racism in Flags of Our Fathers was softened in the film as well. I guess they get credit for making it an issue at all, though. It is another case where seeing a film makes me want to read more about it. In this case I’d like to know more about the Pacific Theater of battle in WWII.

Comments

[Olivier]

So which one would you advise to watch first?

[MC]

Well, I believe Flags of Our Fathers was released first, but I saw Letters From Iwo Jima first and I thought that it added perspective on the battle. They're both worthwhile seeing, so I don't think you'll go wrong.