AfroPixFlix:

This film is as much about mirrors as letters. Director Clint Eastwood uses private letters of servicemen, both US and Japanese, as mirrors. This device allows us to see how similar we are to those who seem dissimilar. Eastwood employs a moody gray and rain-soaked palette to sketch a prosaic picture of the brutal WWII war campaign at Iwo Jima. Naturally, war heightens our snap impulse to judge who the enemy is, but at the same time war exposes the raw similarity of human needs and fears. For instance, there is a touching scene where an American GI?s letter from his mother is read with such grace that Japanese soldiers solemnly stand out of respect during the oration. Likewise, we are touched by the ordinary humanity of a celebrated Japanese lieutenant general?s homebound written regret that he could not complete a kitchen floor project before being commissioned to go on a futile mission in war. Our focal character is a Japanese man who only wants to return home to his wife and his bakery; he could care less about the war. It sounds sappy, but this film pulls it all off wonderfully. Balance is the key. There are graphic scenes of slaughter as well as valor. Like Eastwood?s FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, which views the same battle from an American viewpoint, this film is provocative. If we dare, we may find that certain universal themes can cause us to regard war, and those whom we war against, in a different way.

Southern Belle 1:

This movie was excellent! Yes, it has subtitles, but we didn't find them distracting. Furthermore, I found myself emotionally involved with the tragedy of these Japanese soldiers even as I knew that they were killing Americans during the battle of Iwo Jima. In my mind, I kept thinking: This is ridiculous. Why do I have feelings for the enemy? But of course the answer is because war hurts everyone and this film was done so well, that you empathized with the characters. This movie made it clear that war is a poor way of resolving international problems. The Japanese soldier at the end of the picture said it best when he stated, "I'm not a solider, I'm just a baker." Everyone should see this movie - it's an eye-opener!

ykf 483620:

The futility and savagery of war has rarely been expressed more eloquently than in this film. Letters from Iwo Jima is about the infamous battle from the Japanese perspective. The film follows a group of soldiers as they prepare, fight, live, die and most poignant of all remember. Remember their lives before the war... their loves before the war... the choices before the war. I have heard some complaints about this film being "revisionist" and that is makes an 'evil' enemy army human. I wonder what these critics thought the Japanese soldiers were before... now I have no doubt that attrocities were committed on both sides. No hand is clean in the fog of war. But I think those critics are missing the point of the film, or at least what I think it was... I think that this film was about honor, folly and time. Yes, the Americans were on the right side of this war... but the Japanese thought the same thing. Patriotism clouds judgement... honor can cause evil... and time can make friends into enemies. Just like the Japanese general was friends with America at one point, so was America friends with Nazi Germany. I think this movie is an exquisite look at war. It's a great film filled with great acting, wonderful story, realistic effects and a soulful message. I highly recommend this film to all. One of my favorites of last year.

dli 1861047:

I was amazed by this film. Perhaps the best war film ever made--certainly better than any war film since Saving Private Ryan. Letters from Iwo Jima was powerful and yet subtle and sophisticated, full of high drama and yet small, intimate portraits that deliver incredible human pathos and empathy. The protrayals of Japanese soldiers puts a human face on a group of people much demonized and maligned. The reflections upon duty to country, love of life, and mindless sacrifice for honor are deep and compelling. The thing that astonishes me about Eastwood the director, is that the same man who was heavily involved with the redneck ode, Every Which Way But Loose directed this incredible film. Eastwood has become a national treasure and arguably could take his directorial place alongside such American luminaries as Ford, Huston, Coppola, and so on. Definately worth your view and a space on the queue!

VJ Purplequeen:

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this, given that I am not a fan of war movies. It was a well done look at "the other side," giving voice and humanity to "the enemy." The tragedy of war is well depicted by focusing on the common concerns, anguish and fears of Japanese soldiers who were only doing their duty when ordered to defend Iwo Jima. The story illustrated the universal tragedy of wars in general, and of soldiers' plights in particular. The subjects of military loyalty, morality, and patriotism were all explored. The black and white sequences worked well to highlight the time differences. Overall a very engaging and solid story that focused on the relationships of the soldiers more than on the violence and blood and gore of war.

tebes:

I watched this after Flags of Our Fathers and found it much more powerful and suspenseful. I think it excels in that it is a taut story about the invasion of Iwo Jima whereas Fathers was about more than that and meandered too much for my taste. Although in reality, the Japanese were more brutal than they are portrayed, I was struck by their suicidal honor - what courage/insanity it takes to fight knowing that you will die? That your superiors are telling you that you will die? I found the movie riveting.

demonduck:

On it own, this movie is beautiful and rich in human drama. When it is paired with 'Flags of Our Fathers' you really begin to feel the incomprehensible scope of what a war is from all sides of the battlefield. I don't know who is to thank for having these two films made as separate and complete compositions (even knowing the financial perils) but they should be thanked for seeing it through. That said, there is enough interaction between the two stories that I wouldn't mind watching Flags of Our Fathers again to truly stitch the stories together with the well documented history of those that fought on Iwo Jima. Among Clint's best work.

Tanaya Burnham:

I'm going to be very harsh here. This is not a good WWII movie. Its WAY better than "Flags of our Fathers" but that's not saying much! I think most of the hoopla surrounding this film is because it shows the Japanese perspective. But if you want that then watch "Tora! Tora! Tora!" one of my favorite WWII films of all time. I'd give this film 3 stars for the acting and -5 stars for the directing. It was--like "Flags"-- cold, flat, overt in its message(s)and it failed to bring the characters and the audience together or maintain any level of suspense or drama. Also, it was so carried away with depicting suicides that it left a big gaping hole in portraying the reasoning behind it. You're just left wondering why. My last complaint was that there was no closure in the end with the "main character." I think both of these films could have been decent if they were combined and focused more clearly on a specific message. One thing I have to say they got right was that it was in Japanese, but it was very clear this was an American production.

Coarse Gold:

As compared to Clint Eastwood's companion to "Flags of Our Fathers," I found "Letters From Iwo Jima" more compelling because of the uncommon point of view (of the enemy) opposed to your standard patriotic WWII fare. The movie doesn't really take sides, it just puts a human face on what many still think of as savage Japanese soldiers. Be prepared to read subtitles as almost all dialog is Japanese. Also be prepared for shocking violence that is NOT gratuitous but furthers Eastwood's normally stark settings.

LANjackal:

Really good movie that humanizes the Japanese soldiers who defended Iwo Jima. The dialog is almost completely in Japanese, which adds to the realism. The acting is spot on.

moviesorfilm:

Eastwood did a fabulous job with this "Japanese version" of Iwo Jima. Companion film to "Flags of Our Fathers"--it's a truly sobering account of their struggles during this conflict. Watanabe shines as part of an ensemble group. Definitely a must see for any history buff.

AJ in AZ:

A much deeper film than companion "Flags of Our Fathers" (which did not do justice to the wonderful book on which it is based), it leaves me with many questions. Was the Japanese general played so charismatically by Watanabe really that decent fellow (most American generals, once they put those stars aren't certainly are not? What became of the torture and murder of prisoners of war by the Japanese? That evil, so easily explained away today by "The Code of Bushido," is brushed aside and even covered up by the humane treatment of a dying US Marine. And this is not new ground. "The Burmese Harp," made way back in 1956, says all this just as effectively and, I think, more honestly because it is told by a Japanese filmmaker. All those qualms notwithstanding, this is a masterful and compelling piece of of cinematic storytelling. Clint Eastwood continues to amaze. Bravo!

Killer Klown:

This is the story of the battle at Iwo Jima island in Japan WWII from the Japanese point of view. The movie is in Japanese language with English subtitles. The movie was directed by Clint Eastwood. Not what I was expecting, it was interesting to see this battle from the Japanese point of view. As a former Marine, I understand that fighting men on both sides feel they are in the right, and feel patriotic; we are taught the enemy is bad and evil. The truth is the people we are fighting are more similar to us than we want to believe. The enemy has a family they love, women who love them, and a life other than war. They believe they are fighting for their lifestyle, just as we do. This movie shows the Japanese army at Iwo Jima as being as scared, homesick, and conflicted as our fighting men are.

BunnyKing:

I think Eastwood does a great job offering perspective on the other side of the fence and really puts a human face to the "enemy" so often portrayed in other films. This was a great film and highly enjoyable. I recommend this film to historical fans as well as actions fans.

tlimon:

It was better than Flags of our Fathers but still not perfect. But I did like the premise of dealing with impending doom.

lastliberal:

I was in the mood for war this morning, and I can?t think of a better people to fill that mood than Clint Eastwood and Ken Watanabe. War is not about the flash and bang or Shock and Awe as Shrub would put it, it is about the soldiers and their families and the leaders on the battlefield. This film was as moving and intense as anything that could be made about a war and its real impact and its futility. Clint Eastwood was absolutely outstanding in his direction and there was not a wasted minute in this film. The stress of fighting a war with limited resources and leading men who would never return home was superbly demonstrated by Ken Watanabe, who gave a performance that is worth watching over and over. Iris Yamashitas screenplay was so touching as we shared the pain of the soldiers who worried about their families back home, and the families that did not know what they were going to do as they never saw any soldiers return. When you want to know about war, this is the film to turn to for your answers.