Flag of our Fathers (2007)

Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford, Adam Beech, Paul Walker, Jamie Bell, Barry Pepper, Robert Patrick, John Benjamin Hickey
Released 22-12-06

When Flags of Our Fathers reached our shores here around Christmas, it came of the back of poor commercial success in the States. This comes as no surprise when watching the film. The story about the taking of Iwo Jima, a strategically important island of the coast of Japan during 1945 whilst flashing back to the surviving members of a group of soldiers captured planting a flag atop the island as they are used as propaganda to help sell war binds. It’s this juxtaposition which really makes the film work. As we see the life’s of Ira Hayes, John ‘Doc’ Bradley and Rene Gagnon and how this propaganda affects them, Ira more than any other. Each time a character is reminded of an event or moment from the battle we cut back tox Iwo Jima amidst the battle.
But whilst watching the movies, beyond its quality you can see why it failed to find an audience stateside, a film about a great American military success mixed with the exploits of how the Government uses propaganda to blur the reality of the war can’t have gone down well in a country embroiled in war were victory is fast becoming a distant dream and a cynical world view which can not be blurred by the governments propaganda.
Yet this seems a rather cynical, narrow minded view of film which ultimately is a pro war film, certainly in the depiction of the soldiers. The survivors are haunted and appalled not just because of the horrific events but because of the friendships they made and lost due to the war.
And this is what Flags of our Fathers is about. The friendships forged and lost during this epic battle against impossible odds. Next to this the relationship between the three survivors of the photograph, which has come to signify the American war effort, is strained and uncomfortable. Amongst politicians and media men, only these three know the truth of the picture and each person’s role within the battle. This creates a certain level of tension and animosity on top of the feelings already felt by the men at having to sell themselves and constantly be reminded of Iwo Jima.
With this film Clint Eastwood made a point of not casting stars and the film is all the better for it. The most recognisable face is that of Barry Pepper, who is fast becoming one of Hollywood’s most talented actors (Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada/ Saving Private Ryan), brings an experience to his role as Mike Strank, sergeant to the survivors played by Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford and Adam Beech who gives a film stealing performance as the haunted Ira Hayes (immortalised by Johnny Cash’s song). It’s Ryan Phillippe though who is the hero of the piece. Much of the events are experienced through his eyes as he plays the marine medic, granting him the nickname ‘Doc’. He stands as the central figure of the story. More often than not events unfold from his point of view.

This allows us an harrowing insight into the chaos of horror of war. At one stage early on he tries to bandage up at friend whose intestines are hanging out a large slice in his stomach. This is essentially the role ‘Doc’ performs on the island. Almost everyone he encounters is too far gone, their wounds fatal and he is left to just look on and try and ease the pain.

It’s these moments of violence which really elevate the film. Graphic but never gratuitous, Eastwood never ponders on the violence and blood shed, and manages to equal if not surpass Spielberg’s D-Day beach landings by never being sentimental or novel. Here characters are ripped to shreds by bullets, but never unrealistically. In fact the most resounding quality of this film is the chaotic war sequences which lack cohesion, structure or a point of view. Exactly like a real battle would be like I assume.

With Letters From Iwo Jima, the companion piece to Flag of Our Fathers due for release later this year, Eastwood at 76 has proven himself the greatest American Director working today.