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Flags of Our Fathers
By John
I'm already calling it one of the greatest war movies ever made, and it hasn't even been released yet.
How else can you describe a Clint Eastwood/Steven Spielberg collaboration on the life stories of the six men who famously raised the flag over Iwo Jima?
After tragedies like Jarhead, Born on the Fourth of July, and Platoon, I savor every movie that pays the proper respects to those who have walked the warrior's path in defense of this great nation.
Clint Eastwood is a brilliant director, and Spielberg does his best work with the World War II narrative (Schindler's List, Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan).
Oh, and don't even bring up Munich, ok? I'm excited about this...
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Comments
I take it you've seen the stunning Japanese combo trailer for Flags Of Our Fathers & Eastwood's companion film Letters From Iwo Jima?
If not, catch it here:
http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/iwojima-movies/trailer/large.html
I must respectfully disagree with your assessment of Mr. Spielberg. With the exception of the first 20 minutes of Saving Private Ryan, the movie was a hackneyed-we're fighting ourselves not the enemy-piece of garbage with every requisite stereotype you'd expect to see in a Van Johnson movie (the Jewish guy with an attitude, the guy from Brooklyn, the quiet guy who comes through in the end, etc.). Even the beginning was tainted by American troops gunning down surrendering German troops (did such things happen? I'm sure they did - but why try and interject even a semblance of moral equivalency after you just witnessed the savagery of the landing?).
Thankfully Spielberg only produced Band of Brothers and was unable to infect it too much (I give props to Tom Hanks for getting the series made more than Spielberg).
If Flags Of Our Fathers succeeds it will be solely because of Mr. Eastwood and in spite of Mr. Spielberg. And yes, I'm anxious for it to open as well - we definitely need more movies like this one, but I'd prefer some that deal with modern-day heroes such as SFC Paul R. Smith. I'm not holding my breath, though.
Gotta agree with Kevin re Saving Private Ryan. But for the opening sequence, repeated viewings cause the film to lose a lot of its appeal.
From its trite characterizations to maudlin sentimentality, SPR looks great, just don't give much thought to what's actually being said on screen.
Well, before we get too excited, it should be noted that Eastwood's followup will be be "Red Sun, Black Sand" which tells the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese point of view.
For a rough analogy,imagine a film about the Battle of Fallujah from the "insurgent" perspective.
You know, for balance.
How does telling the story from the enemy's perspective lessen the bravery of our soldiers? Why is it wrong to portray an enemy as brave-our troops need not be heroic when facing cowards. At the end of Band of Brothers, one of the Easy co men said he respected the Germans-young men like him trying to do a job. That doesn't mean that you have to sympathize with or accept their politics.
How does telling the story from the enemy's perspective lessen the bravery of our soldiers?
Mm, you may be countering a point I didn't make. Our soldiers' bravery is not affected one iota by any movie.
I just think we ought to be careful about giving Hollywood more credit for coming to its senses than it deserves.
If Eastwood wants to make a movie about the bravery of our enemies in one war while we're fighting another, he's perfectly free to do so.
Perhaps his need to demonstrate artistry is leading him to make a curious choice.
Perhaps there is a more venal motive--ie, Hollywood's need to ingratiate itself with the international audience that is responsible for an increasing share of its profits.
Hollywood is free to do this, and i'm free to not congratulate them for it.
At the end of Band of Brothers, one of the Easy co men said he respected the Germans-
Was Band of Brothers followed by a miniseries about courageous German troops at the Westwall?
> it should be noted that Eastwood's followup will be be "Red Sun, Black Sand" which tells the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese point of view.
As I understand it, the 2 movies are being filmed at the same time. "Flags" is for the US market, "Red Sun" for the Japanese market.
I saw the trailer for "Red Sun". I really want to see this movie (I also want to see "Flags"). I've seen so many documentaries and read so many books about Iwo but I know very little about what the Japanese thought was going on.
If nothing else, the acting should be superb. It has Neal McDonough(Band of Brothers-Buck Compton), Robert Patrick(Terminator 2-the T1000), Barry Pepper(Saving Private Ryan-Pvt. Daniel Jackson, the sniper). Those are just the ones I remember, it should be an entertaining watch.
Wkat's up with the tagline?
err...What's up with the tagline?
Another excellent WWII movie not mentioned here is "The Great Raid"
From IMDB: "Set in the Philippines in 1945, THE GREAT RAID tells the true story of the 6th Ranger Battalion, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Mucci (Benjamin Bratt) who undertake a daring rescue mission against all odds. Traveling thirty miles behind enemy lines, the 6th Ranger Battalion aims to liberate over 500 American prisoners-of-war from the notorious Cabanatuan Japanese POW camp in the most audacious rescue ever."
For those who may not know, Cabanatuan was one of the POW camps where survivors of The Bataan Death March were held.
It blows Pvt. Ryan outta the water in my opinion. I think it is one of the best WWII movies I've ever seen, and that includes the ones made during and after the war. If John Wayne were alive, he'd have been in it.
If you haven't seen it, get yourself to the video store and rent it soon, you'll love it.
The Great Raid was awesome.
And Buck Compton went to my law school (or rather, I went to his).
-bring it on, I've got the cash for a ticket and popcorn
...Hollywood is free to do this, and i'm free to not congratulate them for it.
That's right stinger, you're free to be a pompous little jerk. You haven't even seen either movie but that's not going to stop you making a prat of yourself.
Well done, asshole.
That's right stinger, you're free to be a pompous little jerk. You haven't even seen either movie but that's not going to stop you making a prat of yourself.
Wow, your ad hominems really changed my mind.
Good idea mate, great article as well.I have a question, Just wondering ... If the tories take over in the next general election, do you think our education system will get more efficient ?Thanks
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Just watched "The Sands of Iwo Jima" a couple of days ago. I'd forgotten how much respect, admiration and esteem was given to the American fighting man in those days. The film is an unabashed tribute to those that fought and to the manly virtues - which we never see on film anymore - that helped win that war.
A good movie about war and old-school manliness. I'll be shocked if we ever see that again.