Letters From Iwo Jima

[VonLuck]

Don't get me wrong. It is not the fact that I am an American that made this film tedious and boring. It was the fact that the movie was tedious and boring. It is too bad that Clint took a great book (Flags of Our Fathers) and a fascinating topic and just ruined it with two poor movies. The only other movie I recall ever leaving early was "Funny Lady" with Barbara Streisand. This movie was not that bad, but was a real stinker. I do not think I was the only one who held these sentiments, as I would say a quarter of the theater cleared out before the ending. Other movies showing the axis side, such as "Stalingrad" and "Downfall" were both much better films.

Barbara Streisand?! **GASP**... It must have been a very rainy, boring night
I agree with you on Flags of Our Fathers. It was a poor and boring movie. Acting wasn't all that either. While Letters does have a couple of slow spots, I think its a much better film that does a good job of enveloping you into the character's emotions.
In FOF, the only strong emotion I felt was wanting to slap the daylights out of the native american guy. Just my humble opinion.

[VonLuck]

There were no civilians on Iwo Jima, only on Saipan and Okinawa. What cliffs were they going to jump off of, Suribachi? I guess you could technically include Joe Rosentahl as he was a civilian photographer for AP.

My mistake, I was thinking Saipan.

[PZIV]

I just watched it. I made sure no one came withe me because I knew I would cry (which I did). I feel too strong a connection with this type of thing so I get more emotional then usual.

The movie was great in every aspect I thought. The true horrors of war.

[AndrewK]

I just came back from seeing this and was simply amazed. This film is vastly superior to Flags of our Fathers, but I would still recommend seeing FoaF first. When they name best picture at the Oscars I know which film I'll be rooting for.

[Wayne f]

Letters From Iwo Jima

I just saw "Letters From Iwo Jima" today. Its is a far better war movie than "Flags Of Our Fathers". It is a bit better than "Stalingrad" and "Saving Priviate Ryan" because it is a true story of the Japanese Commander and the 20,000 man garrison. The main characters were set-up showing, from the hardcore militarist to the common late-war conscript. It had alot of combat scenes like the fall of MT Suribachi, D-Day +4 to the final banzi charge, D-Day +34. The scene where the Japanese soldier's commited suicide with hand grenades were the surrounded contigent in the Mt Suribachi battle area, which fell to the Marines in the first four days of the battle. The Japanese Commander ordered for their retreat and to reach their lines - but the senior officer refused and ordered the men to fight to the death or commit suicide.
At the end of the movie, due to the lack of food and water, the Japanese Commander and his last surviving troops made a final Banzi or silent Banzi charge. At the end over 160 were killed and 40 swords from high ranking officer's and NCO's were retrieved from the battlefield. Unknown, if the Commander died on the battlefield with his troops or committed suicide. Apparently, the officer's removed their rank insignia a day before.
They wore their best shirts, 1000 stitches and carefully cleaned their swords blades before the final act of death before dishonor.
The Japanese Commander himself was an attache to America before the war in 1928 and travelled extensively across America. He and Yamamoto were against the war and knew of America's industrial might.
It was worth the money and no one left the theater early. I had to drive 25 miles to see the movie, due to limited release. The movie was a little bit long like "Stalingrad" - but worth it even with sub-titles.

Wayne

[Jody]

Letters from Iwo Jima

Hello folks,
I saw the movie yesterday (1/28) along with two other friends (one from this forum Tony). All of us liked the film very much and we enjoyed it as much or more so than Flags of our Fathers.

It was a good film and I highly recommend it. I plan on buying both of them when they come out on DVD. I think it is best to watch Letters from Iwo Jima first, then watch Flags of our Fathers.

Regards,
Jody

[Mark Mac]

I doubt they will show it in America.

Why don't you think it would be shown here in the US?

I see it opens here in St. Louis on Saturday - Wehrenberg Ronnies 20 Cine 12:15, 3:30, 7:00 and 10:15...

[Bill Grist]

Impressed

I saw it Yesterday with my 27 year old daughter Meredith..She is not a collector even though she likes to shoot and enjoys seeing new items in my collection..She was very impressed with the movie.. I thought it was a super movie... PS Meredith with a 240mm Japanese shell...........I had to throw the pict. in....BILL

[Jean-Loup]

Very impressive shell!

[Ken B.]

What shell?????

[Bill Grist]

I saw it Yesterday with my 27 year old daughter Meredith..She is not a collector even though she likes to shoot and enjoys seeing new items in my collection..She was very impressed with the movie.. I thought it was a super movie... PS Meredith with a 240mm Japanese shell...........I had to throw the pict. in....BILL

a picture of the Japanese 240mm Howtizer...BILL
http://www3.plala.or.jp/takihome/45-240.htm

[Darrell]

It finally came to town. Saw it today. I must say, it put "Flags of our Fathers" to shame. Great flik

[Tim B.]

I haven't see it yet and certainly hope it's better than "Flags of Our Fathers" which was a disappointment IMO. Very depressing and just another remake of the old 1961 movie "The Outsider", where Tony Curtis played Ira Hayes.

Not sure how others feel, but I am tired of old movie remakes; how about some original ideas for once.
Tim

[Darrell]

I haven't see it yet and certainly hope it's better than "Flags of Our Fathers" which was a disappointment IMO. Very depressing and just another remake of the old 1961 movie "The Outsider", where Tony Curtis played Ira Hayes.

Not sure how others feel, but I am tired of old movie remakes; how about some original ideas for once.
Tim

It is Tim ... waaaay better. It was kinda cool how Clint made the two interact at places. The same few scenes from different perspectives in both films.

Hope you like reading subtitles However, Downfall was and that didnt take away from the film. Actually added to it being in the true language of the combatants.

[happy maca]

HI ALL CANT WAIT TO SEE THE SECOND PART OF THIS STORY BUT WILL HAVE WAIT PATIENTLY BECAUSE IM DOWN THE BOTTUM END OF THE EARTH NOT TO WORRY if its as good as flags of our fathers i wont be disappointed thanks all