Looking forward to Flags of Our Fathers (movie)

from JoeUser Forums

I've been seeing the commercials and teasers for Flags of Our Fathers for a few weeks now.  This is the new Clint Eastwood directed film based around the events that led to the Iwo Jima memorial and the infamous photograph that was turned into the monument and memorial.

Last nite I happened to catch a bit of this week's Ebert and Roeper and they had an early look at the movie.  I was interested in seeing the movie before, but after seeing the first look that Roeper and his guest host had, I'm even more interested.

I would caution movie goers that haven't educated themselves in advance about this film to do some research first.  This is not a prototypical war movie, and the story that is presented is not exactly the one that many people have in their minds about Iwo Jima and the flag raising.  I don't want to spoil the movie, but I would encourage people to do the research and learn what happened at Iwo Jima and the events that followed later with the publishing of the famous picture and even later when the monument was created.

Actually the movie is based on the best selling book by James Bradley and Ron Powers.  Bradley wrote the story based on letters and other items his family found about his father's (John Bradley) involvement in the events at Iwo Jima.  More information on the book can be found at Amazon.com here.  As usual, this is likely a case where the book would be more rewarding than the film, though I think that Clint Eastwood will do a great job with the material and his handling of the story will be incredibly respectful.

I should note that this movie is a Dreamworks Pictures project, produced by both Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg.  Another name of note that is attached to the project is writer Paul Haggis.  Viewers of the great HBO series Entourage would be familiar with that name thanks to an appearance in the most recent season of that show.  Haggis is also well known as the writer for the award winning film Crash, as well as many other things seen on the small screen in the past.

Anyway, I am looking forward to this film, and hope to see it during it's initial run.  If not, I will surely see it on DVD and will likely add the DVD to my collection with it gaining a home close to Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan (among others).

11,622 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Had to do just a bit more research myself.  Roeper's guest host (in the Ebert chair) this week was Zorianna Kit.  I had no idea who she was, but just dug up the info that answered the question.  (Answer being that she's an entertainment reporter, apparently based in the LA area).
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I would like to see this one too. I do have a problem with the really gory violence but I'll just cover my eyes through those parts. Private Ryan, We were soldiers, Braveheart, they were all too much for me.

I am looking forward to Dream Girls.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

I did get to see this film today and would recommend it with little reservation.   There was a bit of gore (blood and guts), but not overly so.

The story was interesting and served well to fill in the details behind one of the most memorable monuments in U.S. history.  I've been to the Marine Corps memorial several times in my life and am always awe struck when I see it.  Knowing more of the story of the image depicted there gives you and even greater sense of the accomplishment and effort that went into that one image.

If you have time, go see the film.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Eastwood also shot a film about Iwo Jima from the Japanese perspective at the same time, this might also be worthwhile seeing, if you are able to. I'm not sure how widely released it will be, but surely some independents will show it.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Eastwood also shot a film about Iwo Jima from the Japanese perspective at the same time, this might also be worthwhile seeing, if you are able to.


I would very much like to see both. One of my pet passions, is the pacific theater of WWII. So I know of the research that Terp refers to. I did not know he was making a film of the Japanese side of that battle, but that should be very interesting as well. For as in all wars, the Victor usually writes the history books.