Eastwood courageously raises Flags of Our Fathers

October 23, 2006 —

Flags of Our Fathers, the new film directed by Clint Eastwood, takes a very different approach to a film set in World War II. Through multiple disjointed narratives, the movie slowly pieces together the story of the Battle of Iwo Jima. Whilst doing so, it covers a variety of themes including a rare look at Native American involvement with World War II. While not one of the best movies of the year, Flags of Our Fathers does provide an interesting and entertaining view of World War II.

The focal point of the film is the famous photograph of United States soldiers raising the American flag at the top of a mountain on the island. Flags of Our Fathers dissects this photograph in great depth. In doing so, it takes a critical approach to truth, by explaining that the photograph was actually of a second flag being raised, and as such, not the flag that had an inspiring effect on the troops stationed there.

There is also confusion as to who is even in the photograph, due to the dual flag-raising, and as a result, there are mothers who think their sons are in the photograph when they are not, and also parents who feel like they recognize (and they do) their son in the photo, but are told he was not a part of it.

Much of the plot revolves around the three soldiers who were in the photo and survived the battle. While it does cover the events that took place on the island, it takes more time telling the story of the aftermath. They are all utilized in an effort to help raise bonds to support the war effort, their status as heroes in the eyes of the public helping them along.

One of the three, Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), does not even want to be a part of the bond-raising. He feels, as some other characters do, that the true heroes are the ones who died in the battle. So tormented is he by this that he is driven to alcoholism and endangers the bond-raising effort by his misbehavior. Also of Native American descent, he is praised by those who know who he is, and looked down upon by racists who do not know what he has done.

Flags of Our Fathers, despite being "another WWII movie," differs from the ones that came before it in presentation and in story so much that it tends not to retread old ground.

Unfortunately, it is lacking in comparison to some aspects of other recent war movies. For example, while very tense, the scene depicting the landing on the beach of the island is significantly less effective and chilling than the Normandy landing portrayed in Saving Private Ryan.

On the other hand, this story is a much more plausible one, and it comes across well. The film provokes a variety of emotions and reactions, often surprise, as it portrays behind the scenes events that are generally left out of war movies which focus on the action. While not Eastwood's best work, Flags of Our Fathers is certainly a movie worth seeing.