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Amazon.co.uk Review
Thematically ambitious and emotionally complex, Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers is an intimate epic with much to say about war and the nature of heroism in America. Based on the non-fiction bestseller by James Bradley (with Ron Powers), and adapted by Million Dollar Baby screenwriter Paul Haggis (Jarhead screenwriter William Broyles Jr. wrote an earlier draft that was abandoned when Eastwood signed on to direct), this isn't so much a conventional war movie as it is a thought-provoking meditation on our collective need for heroes, even at the expense of those we deem heroic. In telling the story of the six men (five Marines, one Navy medic) who raised the American flag of victory on the battle-ravaged Japanese island of Iwo Jima on February 23rd, 1945, Eastwood takes us deep into the horror of war (in painstakingly authentic Iwo Jima battle scenes) while emphasizing how three of the surviving flag-raisers (played by Adam Beach, Ryan Phillippe, and Jesse Bradford) became reluctant celebrities – and resentful pawns in a wartime publicity campaign – after their flag-raising was immortalized by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal in the most famous photograph in military history.
As the surviving flag-raisers reluctantly play their public roles as "the heroes of Iwo Jima" during an exhausting (but clearly necessary) wartime bond rally tour, Flags of Our Fathers evolves into a pointed study of battlefield valor and misplaced idolatry, incorporating subtle comment on the bogus nature of celebrity, the trauma of battle, and the true meaning of heroism in wartime. Wisely avoiding any direct parallels to contemporary history, Eastwood allows us to draw our own conclusions about the Iwo Jima flag-raisers and how their postwar histories (both noble and tragic) simultaneously illustrate the hazards of exploited celebrity and society's genuine need for admirable role models during times of national crisis. Flags of Our Fathers defies the expectations of those seeking a more straightforward war-action drama, but it's richly satisfying, impeccably crafted film that manages to be genuinely patriotic (in celebrating the camaraderie of soldiers in battle) while dramatising the ultimate futility of war. Eastwood's follow-up film, Letters from Iwo Jima, examines the Iwo Jima conflict from the Japanese perspective. --Jeff Shannon
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I agree with some of the previous reviewers comments - particularly in relation to confusion over the main characters. However as with most of Clint Eastwoods films this has a depth to it that is missing from the majority of films. It is beautifully shot. Clint Eastwood has defintely watched John Ford films. There was one shot with a character framed in a doorway, which could have been straight out of the Searchers.
The battle scenes which are spread throughout the film are well done and the effect they have on the main characters is profound. I don't want to see 2 hours of continuous carnage, so the jump cuts to different time sequences were a welcome relief from the battles. The sequences where the 'heroes' are dragged round to raise money for the war effort seemed very authentic, but the book this film is based on does not place nearly as much emphasis on this. Nevertheless I could feel myself getting angrier as it went along. Having been traumatised by the war, when you return to the US it seems you don't get to be with your family, you are treated like a commodity to raise money.
Ultimately it is a rather depressing film, as it deals with not only the war, but also the long lasting after effects as well. See this and then watch Clint Eastwoods companian film 'Letters from Iwo Jima' which looks at the same battle from the Japanese point of view and is probably the better of the two films.
The battle scenes which are spread throughout the film are well done and the effect they have on the main characters is profound. I don't want to see 2 hours of continuous carnage, so the jump cuts to different time sequences were a welcome relief from the battles. The sequences where the 'heroes' are dragged round to raise money for the war effort seemed very authentic, but the book this film is based on does not place nearly as much emphasis on this. Nevertheless I could feel myself getting angrier as it went along. Having been traumatised by the war, when you return to the US it seems you don't get to be with your family, you are treated like a commodity to raise money.
Ultimately it is a rather depressing film, as it deals with not only the war, but also the long lasting after effects as well. See this and then watch Clint Eastwoods companian film 'Letters from Iwo Jima' which looks at the same battle from the Japanese point of view and is probably the better of the two films.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I felt a bit let down by this film. Why? Well, here goes. The film is comprised of scenes from the battle at Iwo Jima and scenes from after the battle (where survivors from the Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima picture are travelling around America in an attempt to convince the public to buy war bonds to keep America in the war.). The Iwo Jima scenes are very well done (I tried my best not to keep comparing them to Private Ryan as I do not think it was Eastwood's aim) but strangely I found myself relieved whenever the movie went back there from the America scenes and that for me is the issue. The scenes in America are so downbeat that I actually prefer watching soldiers kill each other. I suppose the message about what makes a hero is made and I still think it as a good film but it is by no means a classic and below the level of Ryan and Band of Brothers (not hard).
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
Despite all the 'bad press' from so-called film critics, this is a true epic telling the real stoiry of what happened at Iwo Jima. It looks absolutely stunning on blu-ray, with pin sharp detail & rich contrasts. The graphic battle scenes are expertly done & really show the horrors of war violence. The story is well told, with clever flashbacks that never detract from the main theme, which is superbly directed by 73 years old Clint. It is profound & deeply moving...if you love great movie making, this for me surpasses 'Saving Private Ryan'...this has to be in your collection. Buy it now on blu-ray...you won't be disappointed!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Worthy and Brave film from Eastwood...
That this subject raised so much patriotic feelings during WW2 makes the making of 'The Flags Of our Fathers' a worthy and somewhat brave one for director Clint Eastwood. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Tim Kidner
flags of your fathers
An enjoyable film. The story has a good plot and unfolds during the film. Slow at times but picks up and had a serious underlying message. Worth watching. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Adrian P. Janes
Flags of a cruel past
Flags Of Our Fathers [Blu-ray] [2006][Region Free]
All movie languages: 2.0 English Audiodescription, PCM 5.1 English, DD 5. Read more
All movie languages: 2.0 English Audiodescription, PCM 5.1 English, DD 5. Read more
Published 9 months ago by RJ0521
Dirty Harry : a very bad police investigation !
A bad movie, no story followed, because of too many flashbacks, which prevents a proper understanding of this important battle during the Pacific War, and a desire to smear the... Read more
Published 22 months ago by John Doe
A lact of continuity spoils an otherwise good film
The film starts off well enough but I soon found the storey suffering from a lack of continuity as it jumped about a lot. Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2010 by Mr. Christopher Rutter
CONFUSING
I have just watched this and the follow up 'Letters from Iwo Jima' and I found Flags a mite confusing where it neednt have been. Read more
Published on 19 Nov 2009 by Kenneth S. Bishop
Audio track in castilian spanish too
Esta edición en Blu Ray tiene también el audio en castellano de España. This Blu Ray has an audio track in castilian Spanish.
Published on 15 Sep 2009 by jjaviroquai
A thoughtful and worthwhile film
"Flags of our Fathers", and its companion piece "Letters from Iwo Jima" tell the story of the battle for Iwo Jima, which took place at the end of the Second World War on a Japanese... Read more
Published on 26 Dec 2008 by Síog
An Emotional film which is stunning in its cinematic experience.
I watched this after watching the DVD Letters From Iwo Jima in HD DVD, which centred on Iwo Jima which is an Island off Japan that the USA troops are about to attack. Read more
Published on 1 Nov 2008 by Rob Smith
Great companion for Letters from Iwo Jima
I bought the 2 films together in the sale, and to be honest I expected this to be the same as letters from Iwo Jima but from a different angle. Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2008 by chuckles
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