Letters from Iwo Jima [Blu-ray]

Once when I was doing some research on Japanese war medals I came across this unexpected fact: in 2009 Clint Eastwood was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun (3rd Class), bestowed by Japan’s Emperor Akihito. My immediate reaction was, Huh? What was that all about?Turns out Eastwood was being honored for his highly regarded film, Letters From Iwo Jima (2006), which he directed - and co-produced with Steven Spielberg and Robert Lorenz. It seems that way back in 1875 Japan’s Meiji government created the Rising Sun medal to recognize exemplary deeds, whether military or civilian.But the 1945 Iwo Jima battle was a devastating defeat for Japan. So why would a Japanese emperor honor Eastwood for creating a film which proved the point?Some background.Iwo Jima is an island in the western Pacific located 760 miles southeast of Tokyo. It’s tiny - measuring only about 8 square miles. Iwo’s distinguishing natural features are its black volcanic sand and Mt. Suribachi, a small mountain which played a pivotal role in the Japanese defense plan. The horrific battle for which the island will forever be known was fought from Feb 19 to Mar 26, 1945. During those 35 days of sheer hell 6800 Americans in the attacking force and most of the 21,000 Japanese defenders lost their lives.America was determined to capture Iwo Jima. Japanese warplanes based there had been attacking American bombers on their round trip to the Japanese home islands, along with their bases in the Marianas. These attacks had to be dealt with. Also important, Iwo would provide an emergency air field for American bombers in distress. This was no incidental matter, as Iwo’s air field saved the lives of 24,000 American airmen according to one estimate.Letters From Iwo Jima is based on actual letters from Japanese forces on Iwo to their families back home. Flashbacks to revealing incidents in their past play an equally important role. Excerpts from island commander Tadamichi Kuribayashi down to the lowliest soldier are incorporated in the script. These excerpts and flashbacks present the Japanese soldier in a completely different light from the typical Hollywood stereotype.A great example is Kuribayashi’s letters, which reveal a dedicated husband and father - a gentle human being utterly unlike the ruthless warrior you’d expect to command a desperate battle. One letter is written en route to his new command on Iwo. Kuribayashi apologizes to his wife for not having had time to attend to the kitchen floor, and tells her the problem really should be addressed. This in the face of almost certain death in the impending battle, something Kuribayashi acknowledges when he tells his wife he is determined to give his life for his country.Another example, this time by way of a flashback, comes from way down in the ranks. An Iwo soldier by the name of Shimizu recounts an experience involving his superior officer back home.They were patrolling a residential neighborhood together when they encounter a dog belonging to a mother and her two small children. The animal is barking behind a small fence adjacent to the family’s residence. Sensing an opportunity to test Shimizu’s obedience the officer orders him to shoot the dog. It seems barking might disturb army communications in the area.Shimizu has the dog taken out back. But decency prevails once Shimizu is out of the officer’s sight. He unholsters his gun and shoots into the air, hoping his pistol’s report will fool the officer. The story ends badly for both dog and Shimizu but the takeaway is more Shimizu’s humanity than his superior’s want of it.If you see this picture you will meet Saigo, another sympathetic, low-ranking soldier on Iwo. Saigo had been a humble baker back home in Japan. In another of the film’s many revealing flashbacks the local draft committee shows up at his door. A draft notice is thrust forward. Saigo is stunned. His pregnant wife Hanako is distraught. A woman on the committee who seems in charge is furious at their reaction. Every family has given a husband or son to the cause. Hanako should welcome the prospect of her husband dying for the emperor. “At least you will have a little one to carry on your name” the woman says angrily, looking down at Hanako’s belly. Later when Hanako is alone with her husband she cannot let go her anguish: “None of the men ever come back” she says with great emotion.On Iwo Saigo is a nearly constant presence in the film. But victory isn’t his purpose. Let the Americans have the island, he tells a buddy. Better than breaking your back digging trenches in the sand and digging caves out of volcanic rock. Saigo’s only goal is to come home alive - a solemn promise to his unborn child.Saigo is one of the key characters in this picture. Another is Saigo’s unit commander, Captain Tanida. Tanida is contemptuous of Saigo, who he sees as unpatriotic and unfit. Saigo's lack of interest in the war is transparent, and he can’t shoot worth a damn. Early on we see Tanida beating Saigo for that unpatriotic comment about letting the Americans have Iwo without a fight. The beating stops only when Kuribayashi happens by and admonishes Tanida for beating soldiers when there are few enough as it is. By much later in the film when the Japanese force on Iwo is all but annihilated top commander Kuribayashi has formed a bond with foot soldier Saigo. Several chance encounters explain this otherwise implausible development, which ends up saving Saigo’s life when Kuribayashi keeps him out of the final banzai charge. If it had been up to Tanida, Saigo would have led the charge - with death certain.These key characters play off each other right to the final scene. By film’s end each has become an archetype of his respective character. Saigo is the innocent civilian drafted into a war he doesn’t understand or believe in. Tanida is the consummate warrior, and Kuribayashi stands somewhere in the middle. More on them below.From the Japanese government’s perspective Clint Eastwood’s medal was well deserved. His film dramatized letters that few would ever know about, and turned them into proof that not every Japanese soldier was a Hollywood-style monster. That, the government concluded, was a solid contribution to Japanese-American relations.But was that the entire substance of Letters From Iwo Jima? Eastwood’s film did show that there were Japanese soldiers on Iwo who did not fit the Hollywood stereotype. But the story is a little more complex than that. There is another flashback involving Kuribayashi, years earlier in California. We see him in full dress uniform as guest of honor at a military dinner party. After friendly conversation and smiles all around the host’s wife shatters the bonhomie with a tricky question: what would Kuribayashi do if the United States and Japan ever went to war against each other? Would he follow his own convictions - or those of his country? "Are they not the same"? was Kuribayashi’s immediate reply. So there’s another side to the loving husband and compassionate commander.Kuribayashi's unexpected answer had been hard wired into Japanese warriors for over 800 years. It came straight from the samurai code of honor known in modern times as “bushido”, or way of the warrior. Loyalty, bravery, self-sacrifice (literally), and obedience to one’s lord and master were its core.For two millennia leading up to the 1940s Japan’s ultimate lord and master was the emperor, a divinity descended from the Sun goddess Amaterasu according to Japanese belief. Kuribayashi’s reply to his American friends at that dinner party reflected absolute loyalty and obedience to Emperor Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought the Pacific War.In a different scene Kuribayashi provides another example of bushido. A subordinate officer questions his tunnel-digging strategy in the caves as futile. Kuribayashi is livid. Maybe so. Maybe the entire defense of Iwo is futile. Maybe the entire war is futile. But if the children back home in Japan can live in safety one more day it’s worth the sacrifice of every soldier on Iwo.However, it’s clear that if the epic Pacific struggle produced samurai-like warriors Kuribayashi is not the best example. It is Captain Tanida who best fits that role. He is the unforgiving commander who would unsheathe his sword without hesitation and decapitate a soldier under his command for the slightest offense. In their day samurai could do the same, even with civilians. Tanida is most persuasive as samurai when he commits the classic act of seppuku (ritual suicide) after it is apparent Iwo is lost to the Americans. But he kills himself 20th century style - with a gun to the head instead of a blade in the belly.Kuribayashi and Tanida each fulfill the bushido imperative of self-sacrifice differently. For Tanida the honorable way out was to die by his own hand. For Kuribayashi it was to die by way of an act which served the emperor in an identifiable way. That was accomplished when he led the final banzai charge, which at least held out the prospect of taking some of the enemy with him.After Japan’s defeat on Iwo Jima it would have been clear to all but the most fanatical militarists that the war could not be won. It seemed Japan’s only hope of repelling the coming American invasion of the home islands (before anyone knew about the atomic bomb) was to turn its population into a suicidal kamikaze force. If vast numbers of civilians were willing to die for their emperor they might inflict unacceptably high casualties on American forces. American public opinion might then compel an end to the Pacific War with Japan retaining its sovereignty. But that was not to be.In San Francisco on September 8,1951, six years after its surrender on the U.S. Battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay, Japan signed a peace treaty with the United States and most of the Allied powers. There were a few holdouts, the most important of which was the former Soviet Union, now Russia. To this day Japan and Russia have not signed a treaty formally ending their state of belligerency in World War II.Letters From Iwo Jima is a masterpiece. Acting and directing are brilliant. Casting is inspired, most particularly in the choice of Kazunari Ninomiya as Saigo. There are bloody action scenes in this film but their purpose is clearly to advance our understanding of the characters. Anyone with a general interest in World War II or who is interested in broadening his or her understanding of the Japanese soldier in that cataclysm should see this film. Highly recommended.

I love this film so much. The even-handedness and respect from Clint Eastwood in portraying both the average Japanese soldier and officer (I've heard and read so much about the brainwashing and fanaticism of the Japanese, but surely there were dissidents and those who just wanted to live - this movie captures that), the humanizing look into their lives, the kindness and bravery of the Japanese. It all just broke my heart and yet made me hopeful. Everywhere, even in the worst of times, there is good.The history I know of Japan during WW2 is from the Western perspective, and has painted a portrait of fearful Japanese robots. I'm really appreciate and respect what Clint Eastwood, cast and crew has done here. Thank you for a more rounded and human story from the other side

I don't like war movies, but I do like Ken Watanabe so I decided to watch this. I put it on when I went to bed assuming that I would fall asleep in the middle of the movie. Not so. I was transfixed by the brilliant acting, storyline, and realistic scenes, and I ended up watching the entire movie before going to sleep. This movie is enjoyable to watch while simultaneously showing the horrors of war. All of the actors were outstanding, but the one who played the young soldier, Saig, was particularly unforgettable. This movie succeeds in showing the human side of the enemy in a way you will not forget.

The movie is very authentic and the characters speak Japanese. As I do not speak Japanese I an heavily reliant on subtitlng.

Let me start by saying that I am a fan of historical movies. This movie does not disappoint. The movie tells the story from the perspective of the Japanese fighting for Iwo Jima during World War II. The actors are magnificent and the action scenes depict the hellish fighting for control of the island. A few scenes are quite gory and not for the faint hearted. However, the horrific scenes add to the authenticity of what the battle was like for both the Japanese and Americans. I highly recommend watching this movie.

Der Film "Letters from Iwo Jima" ist ein absolutes Meisterwerk, das mich von Anfang bis Ende fesseln konnte. Regisseur Clint Eastwood hat mit diesem Film ein wahres Meisterwerk geschaffen, das mich tief berührt hat.Die Schauspieler liefern herausragende Leistungen und bringen die Charaktere auf beeindruckende Weise zum Leben. Besonders fesselnd ist die Darstellung von Ken Watanabe als General Kuribayashi, der mit seiner Nuanciertheit und Hingabe an die Rolle eine unglaubliche Präsenz auf der Leinwand hat.Eine weitere bemerkenswerte Leistung in "Letters from Iwo Jima" kommt von Kazunari Ninomiya, der den jungen Bäcker und eigentlichen Hauptfigur Saigo mit unglaublicher Tiefe verkörpert.Ninomiyas Darstellung von Saigo ist absolut beeindruckend. Er zeigt die Unsicherheit und Angst eines gewöhnlichen Soldaten, der in die Schrecken des Krieges verwickelt wird. Seine emotionale Bandbreite ist überwältigend, und man kann förmlich spüren, wie er mit den traumatisierenden Erfahrungen auf der Insel Iwo Jima kämpft.Ninomiya gelingt es, Saigo als Sympathieträger darzustellen, dessen Menschlichkeit und seine Hoffnung auf eine bessere Zukunft den Zuschauer tief berühren. Seine Szenen sind intensiv und mitreißend, und er verleiht dem Film eine weitere emotionale Ebene.Es ist beeindruckend zu sehen, wie Kazunari Ninomiya die Transformation seines Charakters durchlebt, von einem ahnungslosen, ängstlichen Soldaten zu einem Mann, der für seine Kameraden und für das, woran er glaubt, kämpft.Mit seiner naturalistischen Darstellung bringt Ninomiya die innere Zerrissenheit und den menschlichen Überlebenswillen von Saigo auf eine außergewöhnliche Weise zum Ausdruck.Sein Auftritt in "Letters from Iwo Jima" ist zweifellos eine seiner besten schauspielerischen Leistungen und trägt wesentlich zur Gesamtwirkung des Films bei. Kazunari Ninomiya verdient höchstes Lob für seine herausragende Performance und seinen Beitrag zu diesem außergewöhnlichen Film.Die Geschichte selbst ist packend und einfühlsam erzählt. Sie bietet einen einzigartigen Einblick in das Geschehen auf der japanischen Insel Iwo Jima während des Zweiten Weltkriegs. Es ist beeindruckend zu sehen, wie Soldaten aus unterschiedlichen Hintergründen und mit unterschiedlichen Motivationen auf engstem Raum zusammenleben und kämpfen.Die visuellen Effekte und die Kameraarbeit sind atemberaubend. Die Kampfszenen sind intensiv und realistisch dargestellt, und gleichzeitig gelingt es dem Film, die menschliche Seite der Soldaten zu zeigen und ihre Ängste, Hoffnungen und Kameradschaft zu verdeutlichen.Der Soundtrack trägt zusätzlich zur emotionalen Wirkung des Films bei. Die Musik unterstützt die Szenen perfekt und verstärkt die Spannung und Intensität."Letters from Iwo Jima" ist ein Film, der zum Nachdenken anregt und lange im Gedächtnis bleibt. Er zeigt die Grausamkeiten des Krieges, aber auch die Menschlichkeit und den Mut einzelner Soldaten. Es ist ein absolutes Muss für Filmfans, die sich für historische Dramen und tiefgründige Geschichten interessieren.Ich kann "Letters from Iwo Jima" nur wärmstens empfehlen und vergebe ihm uneingeschränkt fünf Sterne!

Premesso che mi piace Clint Eastwood (sia come regista che come attore), considero questo un grande film.E' stato recitato in giapponese e ritengo valga la pena (almeno per i cinefili) vederlo (anche) in lingua originale.Fotografia spettacolare e colorimetria a mio avviso perfettamente azzeccata sono altri due punti di forza del film.Sia il comparto audio che il comparto video del Blu Ray sono di assoluta qualità; più che buoni i contenuti speciali.Coloro che hanno apprezzato l'eccellente performance di Ken Watanabe ne "L'ultimo samurai" forse non resteranno particolarmente entusiasti di questa interpretazione: a mio avviso è rimasto un po' legato all'espressività di Katsumoto, il personaggio che l'ha reso famoso e per il quale ha avuto la nomination all'Oscar. Per lui questa volta "solo" 4 stelle...

No glory here. Just death for so many for so little. Japanese dialogue adds realism. I had seen it in theatre on release and replaying this 17 years later doesn't take away the impact.

Buon acquisto

Très beau film tiré des lettres de soldats japonais trouvées sur l’île de Iwo Jima.L’habilité et le tour de force de Clint EASTWOOD est de réaliser un film comme un documentaire, qui raconte le combat héroïque qui en est déroulé pour La Défense de cette île aux portes du Japon. Le réalisateur a suivi le fil du déroulé de la prise de l’ile Stratégique sur la route du Japon avec une trame fidèle d’actions de guerre et un suivi psychologique des hommes.La guerre est vue cette fois du côté des soldats japonais avec impartialité. Les soldats japonais qui ont vécus les faits, au travers des lettres retrouvées, sont suivis le long des préparatifs de défenses puis des combats. Bien qu’étant les ennemis des américains et plus globalement des alliés français et anglais dans leur lutte contre le nazisme et l’axe Germano-Italo-Turco-Japonais, leurs émotions, leurs histoires personnelles, leur caractère les rendent attachants.Les images sont belles et le son correct.Bravo à Clint Eastwood pour ce très beau film de près de 2h20, qui chose rare pour un film américain est impartial.