Letters from Iwo Jima

As usual I'm behind the 8-ball when it comes to seeing movies. So, I saw this tonight on DVD. Having seen Flags of our Fathers, I knew one side of the story. Now due to Clint Eastwood's foresight, I was able to see and better understand the other side of the story.

In Letters from Iwo Jima, we watch as the Japanese military dig into the island and await the imminent American invasion. The military is under the command of a General who had spent time in America, respected Americans, and yet was willing to do what was necessary to protect the homeland, found himself in a no win situation. He went there assuming he would have air and naval support, but that was gone as he arrived. Their duty was simply to delay the American advance, if only for a day.

The movie is based on letters buried on Iwo Jima written by soldiers. We see the conflict between nationalism and simple desire to survive play out. Death with honor is preferred to surrender.

In one scene, a wounded American is captured, and spared by the Colonel, Baron Nishi, who had won a gold medal at the 1932 LA Olympics -- equestrian event. In the course of the next moments the soldier would die and after the Baron read a letter found on him, the Japanese soldiers realized that the Americans were just like they were. Hopeful for the end or the war and safe return to family. Doing the right thing is necessary.

It is an excellent movie that reminds us that war is not simply a matter of "good versus evil." Things are much more complicated than that. It also reminds us that when we don't know our "enemy" it's easy to dehumanize them. If we have understanding of them, then things are different.

We view the preparations and the battle largely through the eyes of the general, played by Ken Watanabe, and a simple baker, Saigo, who goes to Iwo even as his young wife is pregnant. He appears to be one of the few survivors.

Overall, an excellent movie. If you've not seen Flags of our Fathers, see it first, then watch this one. They fit together perfectly. Clint Eastwood is to be commended for pursuing this!