Flags Of Our Fathers (2006)
Wednesday, 03 Jan, 2007 10:55:57 PM
Extra Details: IMDB
Movie Mad Review:
In February, 1945, one of the fiercest battles of the Pacific theater of World War II occurs on the tiny island of Iwo Jima.
Thousands of Marines attack the stronghold maintained by thousands of Japanese, and the slaughter on both sides is horrific.
Early in the battle, an American flag is raised atop the high point, Mount Suribachi, and a photograph of the raising becomes an American cause celebre.
As a powerful inspiration to war-sick Americans, the photo becomes a symbol of the Allied cause.
There were five Marines and one Navy Corpsman photographed raising the U.S. flag on Mt. Suribachi by Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945. "Flags of Our Fathers" is the story of three of the six surviving servicemen, John "Doc" Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Pvt. Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), and Pvt. Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), who fought in the battle to take Iwo Jima.
The picture became one of the most famous images of the U.S. winning a battle during WWII. However, the battle for Iwo Jima raged on for another month with three of the marines being killed in action.
The other three servicemen were taken out of battle and flown back to the states. The photo made these men heroes, and the government used these new heroes to promote the selling of war bonds on the War Bond Tour.
The three men did not believe they were heroes, even though the American public did.
But the accolades for heroism heaped upon the three men are at odds with their own personal realizations that thousands of real heroes lie dead on Iwo Jima, and that their own contributions to the fight are only symbolic and not deserving of the singling out they are experiencing.
Each of the three must come to terms with the honors, exploitation, and grief that they face simply for being in a photograph.
This movie, directed by the master Clint Eastwood, is a masterpiece. Ryan Phillippe is phenomenal, Jesse Bradford and Adam Beach are good but Phillippe steals the show.
The action scenes are harrowing, the narration is brilliant, the story is exemplary.
I have given it 4 stars because it does slow down in places, maybe if just to help in telling the story!
But its brilliant and Oscars are coming, I guarantee that!
Worth Watching ?
Definately, this movie has intense Private Ryan type action, as well as being terribly sad!
Worth Owning on DVD ?
I will defiantely be purchasing this movie, as it is visually brilliant!
Our Rating:
4 out of 5.
