“Letters From Iwo Jima” (Warner Brothers)
A New Face On An Old War
Clint Eastwood filmed two movies at the same time when bringing the battle for Iwo Jima to the screen. He gave the American perspective of the battle in “Flags of Our Fathers” and now he shows the Japanese perspective in “Letters From Iwo Jima.” In many respects the “Japanese perspective” film is better than the “American perspective” one because it is so uncommon. In most war films the enemy is the enemy and a humanizing view is unheard of. But Eastwood does the improbable in that he makes this war story personal from both sides.
The focus of the film is on the Commander of the Japanese troops on the island, General Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe), and on one of the enlisted troops who was once a baker. His name is Saigo (Kazunari Ninomiva). These two men’s lives intersect at various times during the battle and they have an impact on each other’s actions and reactions.
The Japanese approach to the upcoming battle for the island of Iwo Jima was in part fatalistic. The powers that be knew they did not have the resources to do battle against the Americans, but they had been ordered to hold the island and that is what they would try to do. None was more aware of the American’s strength than General Kuribayashi as he had been trained in America and knew his enemy well.
Saigo’s story exemplifies the human part of the war. He was a baker in Japan, with a wife and baby on the way. He was forced into the military and worries constantly about his wife and child back in Japan. He has promised them that he will return home but the power of the Americans in their attack make that possibility doubtful.
There are scenes in the film that are so brutal they are difficult to watch. One of these concerns a group of soldiers whose position is being overrun by the invaders. They know all is lost so they vow to kill themselves with honor. This they do by blowing themselves up with grenades. It is a horrific scene to watch.
The movie is rated R for war violence.
Clint Eastwood has done a masterful job of telling this story about the enemy soldiers who fought valiantly to hold on to Iwo Jima. They had their cause and their beliefs that impelled them to do or die in order to hold the ground. In making their story personal Eastwood has given a human face to an old enemy. In doing this he tries to reveal that all soldiers think they are doing right. It just depends on whose side they are on that makes them the hero or the conqueror.
“Letters From Iwo Jima”” is unlike any other movie from a major American studio you will see this year. It is in Japanese with English subtitles and this helps give you the feel and sense of the Japanese culture and heritage. Watanabe, who is called “the Japanese Clint Eastwood” is a stunningly good actor and gives his role a dignity and passion few other actors could give it.
“Letters From Iwo Jima” is one of 2006’s best movies. Make sure you see it.
I scored “Letters From Iwo Jima” a translated 8 out of 10.
