Clint Eastwood’s latest directorial effort tells the story behind the U.S. Marines’ battle of Iwo Jima, and how the famous Associated Press photo of six men raising the American flag was viewed by a weary nation and used by military fundraisers. The event was misread by most Americans that victory was imminent, while in reality the conquest of “Sulfur Island” would not come for weeks. And for the three surviving flag raisers the indelible photo would lead to a lifetime of identification as heroes, while the U.S. government — desperate for war resources — capitalized on the euphoric moment.
Eastwood does an exceptional job capturing the horror of war and the daunting enemy Marines faced. Actors Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford and Adam Beach play the three celebrated marines, and convey movingly their conflicted feelings about leaving their buddies behind in the battle. Barry Pepper’s performance as Sgt. Mike Strank, who declined a promotion to keep a promise to his men, ranks as the best performance among the ensemble cast.
The obvious cinematic comparison is to Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan.” I think “Flags of Our Fathers” is a better story, yet “Private Ryan” engaged my emotions more. Despite the fine performances in Eastwood’s effort, I was drawn more to the characters in “Private Ryan.”
My quibble is with the portrayal of military fundraisers as money-hungry desperadoes who merely wanted to use the three marines for their own gain. Certainly there is some truth to that, but a nation in dire need of financing to achieve victory is a necessary part of the war effort. I don’t know if the intention was to set up a “good soldiers” vs. “evil money-raisers” storyline, and if it was, it was subtle. As everybody should know, World War II was won with the support and sacrifice of all Americans, mostly by those who fought, but also those at home.
