Letters From Iwo Jima

War movies have always intrigued me, from classics such as All Quiet on the Western Front to Grammy Awards like Saving Private Ryan. After watching Flags of Our Father, I became intrigued about the famous battle of Iwo Jima, from which the photograph of American soldiers planting the American flag became the national symbol for triumph and patriotism. I researched extensively about the Allies' effort in taking control of Iwo Jima, the landing base for Japanese planes that if captured, could cripple supply to the mainland. I came across Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima and was ecstatic to find it to be the counterpart to Flags of Our Father. The war is told in the perspective of the few thousand Japanese soldiers who swore their life in protecting the island through a series of letters addressed to their beloved.

The time is 1944. The place is a little island off the coast of mainland Tokyo called Iwo Jima. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi has been appointed to take over the preparation to defend Iwo Jima against the invading Allies. He is a stern and unconventional leader whose experience exceeds that of the commanding officers on the island. The first interpersonal interaction between the General and Saigo occurs when he stopped the officer from beating Saigo. Saigo is just a small pawn in the military perspective; personally, he is a baker turned soldier whose only objective is to return home to his daughter and wife. The General's words "...I want my men to be fighting the war, not beaten..." revered respect for both the officer and Saigo, who somehow found an unlikely role model to look up to in the ensuing battle. Saigo is an ordinary and humble man who was drafted into the army. He easily fits in with his fellow comrades, many of whom originated from similar background. When Saigo finds out that Shimizu is one of the secrete police, unlike others, he does not single out the guilt torn military man. He offers the good sleeping ground for Shimizu, however subtle; that gesture communicates an understanding between the two that helps to unravel the war torn reality of Japanese soldiers. The Baron Nishi, a close friend of the General, flies in from mainland Japan to help his old colleague. A celebrated Olympic horse rider, the Baron commands respect as much as the General with unparallel insights into military operations. He is a true communicator who specializes in alternating the tones of his voice to get what he wants as well as employing logic to corner an opponent.

Read my full article here