Letters from Iwo Jima - another Eastwood masterpiece

I spent last night watching a film which I thought I wouldn’t enjoy, but which I thought was a must see movie all the same.
As it turns out, Letters from Iwo Jima puts a firm stamp on Clint Eastwood’s credentials as one of the finest film makers of his generation.

Set at the tail end of the Second World War, the film tells the story of the Japanese defence of the island of Iwo Jima from the invading US forces – and it is told from the perspective of the Japanese.

For generations of World War II films, the Japanese have been depicted as heartless, ruthless savages, but by the end of this film, you see the ‘warriors’ as real men, with lives and backgrounds not too dissimilar to that of the young men who were sent to kill them.
It is this realisation that one of the Japanese soldiers makes when he reads a letter from one American mother to her now dead son.
This film doesn’t glorify war, and parts are difficult to watch as the grim reality – or as much of the grim reality of war can be portrayed on the big screen – is brought to life two generations on.
And it doesn’t shy away from the brutalities and inhumanity inflicted during the battle from either side.
The film is clearly inspired by Saving Private Ryan and the subsequent, and in many ways superior, Band of Brothers series.

Performances in the film are amazing, in fact each and every member of the cast go beyond acting.
But it is hardly surprising that the film was to be a classic considering Clint teams up with Steven Spielberg as Producer.
Letters from Iwo Jima is to be watched as part of a two film set, with Flags of Our Fathers the story from the American’s perspective. I’ve yet to see that, but after Letters, I will definitely seek it out.

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