Letters from Iwo Jima | Movie - Reaction & Review!

[@MisterMac4321]

The tensions between the Japanese Army and Navy was more than just inter-service rivalry, the two groups were affiliated with different political parties as well, and so threats and assassination of senior officers who were seen as causing difficulties was not unknown. In part, that was one reason why Yamamoto was transferred to command of the Combined Fleet, rather than remaining back in Japan at Naval headquarters (where an admiral of his seniority would typically expected to be assigned): pro-war factions in the Army had made threats against his life, and so he was sent to sea to make it difficult for them to attack him. The "thousand-stitch belt" (Senninbari) was a tradition begun in the 1890s during the first Sino-Japanese War. They were a token given by Japanese women to soldiers departing for battle. Traditionally the belt was created by the soldier's wife, mother, or a sister, with each stitch in the belt (representative of a prayer or wish for that soldier to serve honorably and return safely) supposedly being made by a different woman. Often the stitches were arranged into slogans ("Eternal Good Luck in Battle" being a common one) or pictures (tigers were the most popular).

[@matthewct8167]

Thanks man I didn’t know

[@youtubemodsaresnowflakelef7692]

"pro war factions in the Army" it had nothing to do with pro war or not. There were strong pro war factions in the Navy as well. While Yamamoto was against war with the US, he was probably not opposed to fighting the British and Dutch. The Navy needed oil, hence they were pro-going South. The Army, however, was itching for another fight with the Soviets, and wanted to join the Germans in attacking them and thus were pro-going North and getting resources from there. It is bullshit, that the Army felt so beaten by Khalkin Gol and the other battle, that they didn't dare fight the Soviets again. They were outnumbered in terms of equipment, and still inflicted huge casualties on the Soviets, so they didn't see themselves as too weak to fight them, and they hated the fact that they were made to sign an armistice.

[@jamallabarge2665]

This is sad to read... I think every nation has "interservice rivalries"... but hatred is insane.

[@sirboomsalot4902]

@@youtubemodsaresnowflakelef7692Yeah, the “pro-war” and “anti-war” labels given to each aren’t exactly accurate. They were almost all in favor of some kind of war, or at the very least saw it as necessary, just how much and with whom was where they disagreed.

[@Pravdik918]

The rivalry between Imperial Japanese Navy and Army was on another level compared to other countries. They absolutely hated each other, didn't tell each other intel on the enemy and actively sabotaged each other whenever possible. Army even built their own aircraft carriers just so they wouldn't have to work with the navy. You could say that Japan's defeat came even quicker just because of this interservice rivalry.

[@wanr5701]

The army always hold a more hardline stance and view the navy as nothing more than just organisation to transport troops from one land to another. The navy on the other hand, is more moderate and prefer gunboat diplomacy over outright imperialism, together with demanding more respect from the army as equals.

[@memento5113]

The Imperial navy was destroyed at Midway before Iwo Jima, but they didn't tell their own troops about it so they would not give up. So Japanese could not send troops to Iwo jima because American navy was blocking everything off and could not lose. Japan saved what they had left for the bigger final battles closer to home, even tho the war of the pacific was all over after Midway. With that said, Japan was very unlucky at Midway, if not for a mere luck, things would have gone different, but ofc they didn't.

[@simonbarabash2151]

​@@memento5113 When they talk about the combined fleet being destroyed they mean the battle of the Philippine sea. Midway was a major blow but it was not the final nail in the coffin, and also happened far earlier in the war than this.

[@sirboomsalot4902]

@@wanr5701That’s generally true, but not always the case. For example, Admiral Soemu Toyoda, who was the supreme commander of the Japanese Navy at the end of the war, joined the Army in resisting the Japanese surrender at the end of the war despite being one of the Army’s biggest opps. Meanwhile, in the Army there were guys like General Tadamichi Kuribayashi, the man this movie follows for much of it, who wouldn’t have been out of place with the more anti-war-with-America Navy guys.

[@wanr5701]

@@sirboomsalot4902 totally agree. Unlike most of his IJA contemporaries, General Kuribayashi furthered his education in the USA which is more common among IJN officers. The same can be said for his subordinate Lieutenant Colonel Nishi who spent some time in the USA as well and became an instant celebrity there thanks to his gold medal in the 1932 LA Olympics. Kuribayashi's most notable contemporaries General Yamashita on the other hand, never educated in the USA yet believed that Japan should keep peaceful relationships with the USA and Britain. The stance of these two generals is in contrast to Hideki Tojo. It is often speculated that Kuribayashi's assignment to Iwo Jima and Yamashita's task to the Philippines, are made because Tojo and/or many IJA officers didn't like both of them.

[@austinphillips4673]

The Baron was a national hero in Japan and had truly become friends withe the Hollywood elite of actors. He was born a Japanese nobleman and died as such.

[@IrfanMalik27]

Hope this isn't the last time we see Major dad, love to see the duo reactions continue!

[@knowyourhistory]

Generation Kill please

[@HollywoodMarine0351]

@@knowyourhistory I concur. As a bonus they can review Alexander Skarsgård’s acting and his military service with the Amfibiekåren (Swedish Marines), in the SäkJakt (protect and hunt) unit.

[@ИванГорбачев-й8ю]

Asu

[@CharlesB1977]

I was an extra in this film.. what an incredible experience it was!

[@waterbeauty85]

The "thousand stitch belt" was a sort of good luck piece to protect your life in combat. Japanese women would go out to public places and ask people to add a stitch to the belt for their loved one who was going to war. Each stitch represented someone giving their hopes and prayers for the survival of the soldier who would wear the belt. It's just a piece of cloth, but it tells you how much the person who gave you the belt loves you and that so many people are pulling for you to make it home alive. Knowing that can really help get you through some bad things. Of course, your rational mind knows good luck pieces don't really have the power to change your fate, but the psychological and spiritual effect they have is comforting to a soldier in harm's way. I know of a guy who kept one of the cookies his wife sent him from home and protected it in multiple layers of foil and two pairs of socks, and he carried it with him as a good luck charm through his entire tour of duty in Vietnam.

[@jamallabarge2665]

I've had the privilege of seeing a Thousand Stitch Belt in person, holding it in my hands. The cloth was a coarse but bright cotton. The threads were of different colors. We had a gent who could read Japanese. He read the comments. Many of them were very tender and kind comments, as in "Please come home to us Kenny", that sort of thing. The point of the belt was to give each soldier, and their family, a sense that their neighbors and friends cared for their welfare.

[@kevinglennhuey8419]

Bravo gentlemen. Your Dad is excellent. Be glad you get the joy of doing these videos with him.

[@Luster...]

General Kuribayashi studied at Harvard University. So that's another thing to top off how much he knows about Americans aside from their industrial side.

[@andreraymond6860]

Grave Of The Fireflies. One of the most beautiful and tragic movies ever made about World War Two.

[@joshtt3240]

Such a heart breaking movie.

[@theaterofsouls]

for real!!!!

[@ScharfeZungel]

childhood trauma unlocked.

[@user_Nostrad.Chicken822]

日本では昔はよく、戦争の残酷さを忘れないために火垂るの墓がよくテレビ放送されたのに、近年、映画の悲惨さを理由に放送されなくなってしまった。悲しいことだ

[@mikloowl4899]

I inherited my grandpa's (pacific vet) 1911 colt .45. He never spoke much about it but one time he did flatly say "it has killed people", the plural stuck with me.

[@cooldadbro7999]

Once again gentleman, great reaction! Truly enjoy watching you both reacting to these great movies!! Thank you guys!

[@ClancyWoodard-yw6tg]

The rivalry between the imperial army and the imperial Navy was off the charts it wasn't just inner service rivalry they absolutely could not stand each other they wouldn't even Tell each other their own plans during operations

[@HollywoodMarine0351]

You are welcome Maj. Dad & Sonny, and thank you for your shoutout at 2:25. Here are the Danish WWII movies I posted on “Flags of Our Fathers” comment section: • 9. april (April 9th) • Under sandet (Land of Mine) • Flammen & Citronen (Flame & Citron)

[@redcardinalist]

I recommend all of these! Also the Norwegian movie "The King's Choice"

[@richardmennel2415]

Commentary, react, tea party I dont care, you two are superb together, probably have the best react videos on you tube! Please don't stop!

[@jtcash2005]

The belt of 1000 stiches were cloths where 1000 individuals put one stich each. It was to give the wearer protection. Helped with morale, maybe?

[@MrSmithla]

The horse-rider guy led a regiment of tanks. They were, in my opinion, the most tragic part of the Japanese defense. All of the tanks, like all the defenses, were carefully hidden. The Baron (horse guy) was to lead the tanks out of cover into an attack. Every man in that unit knew that, as soon as the order to attack was given, their lifespan would be measured in seconds. They may have some surprise success for, literally, seconds. As soon as they emerged they would be the focus of every ground-attack plane, every naval gun, every American tank, every landed artillery piece and all the weapons available to the infantry. They were all dead men with 100% certainty. Once they emerged, there was nowhere they could hide. The island isn’t big enough for them to run away. Nowhere to run to anyway. It was, at least, theoretically possible for a Japanese infantryman to think he might find someplace to curl up and just maybe survive. The Japanese tankers had NO chance.

[@pavelslama5543]

They also had almost no oil, and many of those tanks werent even in a working condition. Plus even the best of their tanks were absolutely laughable compared to the American M4 Sherman. Whereas in Europe the Sherman was about mediocre, in Asia (including Iwo Jima) it was an incredible beast, almost untouchable by any of the Japanese tanks even from a point-blank range. And the American M1 Bazookas were also a guaranteed death for the Japanese tankers. And that doesnt even take into account that the naval heavy artillery was close enough to spot each tank with binoculars. At that point, the best thing to do would be to dig down the tank so much that literally nothing but turret is visible, then it is at least a small anti-infantry pillbox rather than a totally useless deathtrap. Nishi originally likely planned an armored suicide charge, as all he requested from Kuribayashi was some water to clean the tanks for their final charge, which Kuribayashi denied. Nishi then decided to disperse and hide the tanks and use them as static pillboxes.

[@MrSmithla]

@@pavelslama5543 It was a toss up for the title of ‘Nation that produced the crappiest tanks during WWII:’ Italy or Japan.

[@Neneset]

​@@MrSmithla Japan focused on ships and airplanes, and in both cases produced some absolutely wonderful designs and some absolute garbage designs, like pretty much every other nation. Their industry really wasn't up to the thing they were trying to do. If I were ranking national industrial capabilities going into the war I'd do it something like this: S Tier: USA A Tier: UK, USSR B Tier: France, Germany C Tier: - D Tier: Japan E Tier: - F Tier: Italy G Tier and below: The rest of the world. The Axis were utterly doomed and only put up as hard a fight as they did because the US and UK were not keen on a war and lagged far behind Germany and Japan on the pre-war buildup and the USSR did moronic purges and political rearrangement of their industries (France also did that). You look at what the nations on my list produced and had available, particularly Japan and higher, and then look at what smaller nations had available to defend themselves and it just looks utterly pointless to even spend the money.

[@MrSmithla]

@@Neneset I’m not arguing with you, in principle, or your rating system. Do consider, however, that at the onset of WWII, America’s military was the same size as Portugal’s by manpower. Japan proved that fanatical devotion and discipline and a ‘do more with less’ attitude could take you pretty far….. Until you faced a fully mobilized and industrialized opponent. Then it was just a matter of time. I’ll use just one example, but, please believe me, I could provide countless more. Do a simple Wikipedia search on the list of WWII fighter aces and their kill totals. By examining this list, you might conclude that Japan and Germany won the war. I highly doubt any fighter pilot will come close to Erich ‘Bubi’ Hartmann (In the mid to high 300 range) or Saburo Sakai (Don’t know but it’s a big number compared to Allied totals) anytime soon, possibly ever. With all of those aces racking up such obscene kill totals, how did the Axis lose? Why isn’t the number of aces and the number of kills they got indicative of victory? Allied production of both pilots and machines allowed our top aces to rotate home to become trainers and test pilots for improved models and designs. The Axis pilots had to try to hold the line and were eventually swamped. It’s the Japanese grand strategy that always befuddled me. Yamamoto told Japanese high command that the Empire would have 6 months following the strike on Pearl Harbor to grab as much territory as they could and get the Allies to the negotiating table. Midway was 3 days shy of the 6 month mark. The notion that you could hit, for instance, America and then extend your hand and say, “Now, let’s negotiate!” is highly flawed and it’s got nothing to do with it being the US. No nation would go along with that idea. Had Dec 7 been something Japan couldn’t have logistically come close to supporting, a full on beach landing, invasion and even takeover of all of Hawaii, Japan was still doomed. We’d’ve fallen back on our west coast, rebuilt and rearmed and the end would have been the exact same, at most a few years delayed. The focus on beating the Japanese with carrier and air forces was partially a sop to the press and the need for visible heroes; flyboys in their Ray-Bans look great on newspaper and magazine covers. We could have just as easily put the money, time and manpower into our submarine force and forced the Japanese people back to the Stone Age by enforcing a cordon around their islands. Don’t believe me? Research the lifespan of the, from memory, Japanese carrier Hiyo. Lovingly and painstakingly assembled from all the precious resources at Japan’s disposal. First voyage beyond the confines of her drydock and she was sunk when an American sub slammed a spread of torpedoes into her. Brand new carrier, never even had a single plane land on her deck, on the bottom of the ocean. Japan entered a modern war with precisely zero domestic production of oil, rubber or steel. A person as educated as yourself can see that no amount of Bushido, Banzai spirit or 40-stitch belts was going to prevail against a nation possessing the Texas oil fields and the steel production of the factories in the eastern portions of the US. They went as far as they could with their very fine ships made from our scrap metal. They fed their night crews extra loads of carrots to try and improve their night vision. We developed radar. I’ll leave it to you which side you’d back in that fight; carrots vs radar.

[@MrSmithla]

@@Neneset I’d refer you to Stephen Kotkin’s scholarship as to the actual organizational harm Stalin’s purges caused. The Soviets prevailed because they were prepared and did take losses that would’ve gutted every other major participant in the war. The Soviet Union fought a Soviet Union style war. Where the UK and US threw money and technology at problems, the Soviets threw men.

[@jamallabarge2665]

I've had the privilege of seeing a Thousand Stitch Belt in person, holding it in my hands. The cloth was a coarse but bright cotton. The threads were of different colors. We had a gent who could read Japanese. He read the comments. Many of them were very tender and kind comments, as in "Please come home to us Kenny", that sort of thing. The point of the belt was to give each soldier, and their family, a sense that their neighbors and friends cared for their welfare.

[@EricPalmerBlog]

Well done you two. Saw this in the theater. Like Admiral Yamamoto, this general had an exchange tour in the U.S. before the war. Generally speaking the Japanese Navy and Army hated each other.

[@William-13]

The soldiers speaking to Saigo @ 21:55 were Japanese SNLF Marines. Considered crack troops by both sides during the war. Look up the Battle Of Tarawa for reference.

[@Keeazul]

I’ve watched this movie many times, and I’m always thankful to Mr Eastwood for the fact that, as he himself said, “the first Japanese war movie made by an American director”. Japan and US are good friends and great allies now. We can go this way many decades or centuries more if may not be forever, I believe, after such a fierce war we had behind.

[@StephenLuke]

🇺🇸🇯🇵🇺🇸🇯🇵🇺🇸🇯🇵🇺🇸🇯🇵

[@koreancowboy42]

And the fact the japanese was probably one of the most hard fighting nations the U.S has ever faced.

[@sirboomsalot4902]

The fact that the Japanese carrier Kaga is currently moored right across from the Arizona in Pearl Harbor is a testament to that.

[@yadarehey1130]

Wouldn’t mind a reaction to Windtalkers and Hacksaw Ridge if y’all haven’t seen them, or commentary if you have

[@McDTank75]

Yes!! Finally someone reacts to this. One of my favorites

[@txalex]

fantastic reaction and review! this is one of my favorite movies.

[@alexjeffries5276]

One of my favorite war movies, love your reactions - can’t wait to see what you think 🤗

[@usamajalal2732]

Thank you for this movie ,, you are only one youtuber made reaction on this movie even after 3 years from your vloging

[@waterbeauty85]

22:07 By that time in the war, everybody knew Japan couldn't win. Their only hope was that by convincing the Allies that every single Japanese would rather die than surrender, the Allies would back off and settle for a negotiated peace rather than a Pyrrhic victory.

[@waterbeauty85]

@Ron Lewenberg And that's legitimately a good thing. Invasion would have cost more lives not just from combat but also from the starvation and disease that would have resulted from the total devastation of the land.

[@michaelb8317]

Another great film showing the perspective of both sides is Tora, Tora, Tora about the Attack on Pearl Harbor.

[@DisGruntled311]

You both make up a great team. So many other films and series can be explored. Thanks for picking this amazing film. Please consider the Tim Heatherton/Sebastian Junger documentary "Restrepo" and the film "The Outpost". Both about isolated US Platoons operating in the very complex environment of Afghanistan.

[@johndalorian2143]

This is an amazing movie! Thank you for the great reaction!

[@frekisden]

Really enjoy Major Dads contributions. I'm an old British veteran with a passion for history. So I really relate to him. If he had his own channel I'd definitely subscribe

[@takahide1973]

iwojima battle was continued to vietnam war , north vietnamese was actually trained by japanese , during ww2. and then tactics of the war ( dig tunnel etc ) was coppied

[@thax321]

You are aware that the 'north vietnamese' during ww2 were supported by the precusor of the CIA right?

[@としちゃん-s5e]

Even if there are ethnic differences, it is a major premise of a nation to suppress the ego of ethnic groups and unite as a nation. Therefore, in front of the concept of "nation", "nation" cannot function unless "ethnicity" has humility. I will introduce it. It is Hideki Tojo. One day, a Nikkei is shocked by a letter sent by Hideki Tojo to his school. "This is a letter to you guys II You guys are American Therefore, we must be loyal to your country. " Yosuke Matsuoka, who was the Minister for Foreign Affairs, also made a statement that it is the United States that should be loyal to Nikkei. In other words, the Japanese are samurai. In accordance with Bushido, we are loyal to the monarch and the nation. This is what Hideki Tojo wanted to say to Japanese Americans in the United States. They probably understood that too. Even if you turn your blade to your homeland Naturally as a Japanese descendant of Samurai. And that is the repayment to the society, It is a natural duty to live there in the future. And in a document permitting the formation of Japanese troops, President Roosevelt wrote: "The principle of our founding is the American spirit(Americanism). It's an internal issue, not a race or ancestor issue. " Why were their Nikkei troops so good? It ’s just their own “Japanese pride”, And the strong will to make the country called America recognize it, It seems that it increased that motivation and courage. And the source of that pride was probably the Japanese values. Ethnic groups and people are different. Now, in the United States, the wrong claim is dividing the national theory. The consciousness that "America belongs to white people" and the consciousness that "immigrants have developed America so far" are in conflict. Both are correct. America belongs to white people. There is no doubt that white people have founded and guided the country. It is natural to respect and respect the feats of their white ancestors. If Muslims neglect it, it is irresistible. On the other hand, the greatest vitality of the United States is that it never abandoned immigration policy except for a period just before the Great Depression. Therefore, welcoming and respecting new blood is the reason why America is America. I came to be convinced that Tojo wrote such a letter because he was also a samurai (military man). Tojo must have told us. When I came to think that way, my evaluation of Tojo changed a little. Tojo, who was sentenced to death in the Tokyo Tribunal after the start of the war between Japan and the United States, has been exposed to severe criticism not only in Japan but also in other countries. If this is, "You who have received Japanese blood, do the work of afflicting the United States for Japan." Many Nikkei would have suffered between their two homeland if it was a letter like that, "The way is to pledge allegiance to your country as a warrior," he said. I think it is of great significance to show the pride of the Japanese people to the world. Prime Minister Hideki Tojo wrote a letter that was as good as the spirit of Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki, who sent a telegram of condolences to President Roosevelt's death. He was accused by the victorious nation as a villainous person with Hitler and Mussolini. It is regrettable that some of my compatriots will be humiliated even after dying under the name of "A-class war criminal" by using the result of the trial of the occupation army. That's right. To the Chinese who are now naturalized from China to Japan, "You have been naturalized to Japan, do your best for Japan. Forget about China." Will Xi Jinping president and Li Keqiang Prime Minister say? Can Koreans say that Koreans living in Japan who have been naturalized into Japanese will never be seen as a "traitor"? It is clear that Tojo was regarded as a nation and a nation in a completely different dimension from this stance. It means "make sense"

[@AregPone]

One of my favorite experiences from the Marines was being able to visit Iwo Jima in '95. Those tunnels and caves were incredible. I only wish we had been given more than just a few hours of free time to wander around. Love your reaction videos, gentlemen. Keep em going.

[@osolsl9321]

Was it safe there? Im Japanese and i heard there are still mines on the island

[@jeanrenecarvalhocourcy1340]

Love your videos, guys. You two should watch next Brigde over Kawi River (1950s). It's really good as well and says a little about the Japanese-British part of the war

[@Bayard1503]

Very close to a masterpiece, so many memorable scenes in this. It's a much more emotional movie.

[@voidmystic3419]

The samurai code or "bushido" was basically an honor system. We actually use it in the phrase "death before dishonor". Its why they convinced these young soldiers that suicide was preferable to surrender. Also why banzai (or suicide) attacks, naked or otherwise were used. IE... charging into machine guns. It's the same ideal the kamikaze pilots used. I know you saw the belt references explained in the comics. The closest thing culturally or religiously is the rabbits foot or the saint christopher medallion. Anyway, that should add a bit of understanding hopefully. And I literally just saw this movie for the first time an hour or so ago and it led me to this channel. Love it. Cant wait to binge now. Anyway keep it up it you can, and hope to see more later.

[@samuraijackoff5354]

Also to mention that Bushido was used as propaganda. The idea of, "If a samurai would do it, then I would.". Samurai also never used bushido or what we know is bushido. They had guidelines but each guide is different to a clan. The Bushido that we know in media was created in a book.

[@cal11builder51]

Absolutely love Major Dad, such a Legend!!!!

[@IrfanMalik27]

Very true!

[@takahide1973]

some good episode for japanese , like japanese save american soldier etc . acturally really happened. a few japanese were survived from iwojima battle,, these story were taken by these guys testimony etc

[@brettpeacock9116]

The "KempeiTai" literally translated means "Thought Police." And were the Japanese equivalent to the German Gestapo, but with even wider powers.

[@youtubemodsaresnowflakelef7692]

No, it doesn't, you imbecile. It's "Military Police Corps". And it's Kenpeitai. It was a Gendarmerie.

[@Keeazul]

Any military police during a harsh all-out war can be brutal and hated and Imperial Japan was far from exception, it is true. However, your way of descripting Kempeitai seems a bit too biased. There is no literal meaning like "thought-police" in the words of "Kem-pei-tai", rather "discipline/abiding/management-soldier-squad". Even today, American MP is translated as "Kempei" in Japanese without any specific intention. Besides, actually, it was not common for Kempeitai to patrol civilian suburbs outside military facilities. So, maybe the film affected your view to it. As for the controlling or "suppressing" political thoughts during that time, Japan did have "Special Higher Police Division" and took part in a very nasty role against inland civilians, in particular, socialists and their sympathizers in the literary/academic circles and alleged spies, but again, it was not like Gestapo overall.

[@rithvikmuthyalapati9754]

No it doesn't translate to thought police.

[@MG-jv7pe]

Oh yes!!! I really love when your papa does reactions with you! We all love you & Kat and also you & dad! Some suggestions for you & Major dad: The 12th Man Shawshank Redemption Fury 1917 First They Killed My Father Siege of Jadotville

[@voodjin]

Kat looks different in this video, but can't put my finger on it 🤔

[@darkwyve]

I think she did something different with her hair... ;)

[@justsomeguy5061]

Great movie, I liked seeing part of the War from the Japanese perspective. I mentioned this in another video but my Grandfather was a young 1st Lt. in the 4th Marine division during the Battle of Saipan. He was badly wounded by a Japanese artillery barrage. His 17 year old radioman was killed nearby. He had PTSD the rest of his life and I don’t know if he ever forgave Japan. Sometimes it’s for the generations after to do that.

[@joshtt3240]

One of the best war movies ever made ,Clint Eastwood really nailed this one ,congrats on being the first to people react to this movie lol

[@カイウスレック]

8:22 This scene was filmed at real Iwo Jima.

[@Vollification]

27,071 americans died on Iwo Jima Ca 21 000 japanese held it USA had complete air supremacy and naval support. If General Kuribayashi was american General Patton would have been a "nobody".

[@milesinwyatteandcora]

Great commentary! There's a Chinese war movie called the eight hundred that I thought you gentlemen would like as well

[@RedStarRogue]

This is a very sad film. Really makes you feel the end of an empire/era for Japan as their war effort collapses. Also Clint Eastwood's son composed the soundtrack.

[@hermanhedning4220]

While its a great movie i wouldnt say its sad to see the fall of imperial japan. I think to many people see the japanese as victims of the war when in reality they were aggressors and at many times just as brutal as the nazis.

[@samuraijackoff5354]

@@hermanhedning4220 Yeah, Its not sad to see the fall of Imperial Japan. It's sad to see the people in the middle of it all fall.

[@ChadSimpson-ft7yz]

​@@hermanhedning4220Many times, more brutal.

[@methodhardie9193]

at many points they were even worse than the Germans.@@hermanhedning4220

[@waterbeauty85]

1987's "Hamburger Hill" is a good Vietnam War movie that you probably haven't seen. 1959's "Pork Chop Hill" is is a good Korean War movie which is historically interesting because it's about a battle where the U.S. government wouldn't allow their soldiers to withdraw because that would have shown a lack of resolve which would have weakened the U.S.'s position in the concurrent peace negotiations with North Korea, but because the hill had no actual (combat) strategic value, the government was unwilling to send any more troops to reinforce the exhausted soldiers who were already there. While these men were fighting for their lives, the peace talks were being dragged out by arguments over things like the shape of the negotiating table.

[@fasiapulekaufusi6632]

"To know dedication is to know Japan."

[@Jerry113]

ken watanabe is great in everything. especially the last samurai.

[@mr.grumps9491]

pls watch Generation War (in german: Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter) so good! From the german point of view :)

[@S1deshowRob]

It portrays polish resistance fighters as more antisemitic than German soldiers, it’s fascist dreck

[@mr.grumps9491]

@@S1deshowRob It is not completely wrong that there were anti-Semetic attacks by the polish resistance fighters. I recommend reading the experiences of the Polish resistance fighter from the AK, Henryk Pawelec. I definitely agree, that this part of the film could have been better and more truthfully. But there is some truth in it. And I think German anti-Semittism was portrayed very cruell in certain scenes. Anyway... thanks for your opinion on the show, not everyone has to like it. Have a nice day :)

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

@@S1deshowRob I guess you didn't watch it and just read about the total overreaction on the part of polish nationalists. The show dared to speak about the fact that antisemtism was not at all a german exclusive thing (after all lets not forget that there were progroms going on in Poland after the war) and polish nationalists spun this into a "how dare they accuse polish resistance fighters of Antisemitism!" narrative. Which is a load of bullshit. A deflection of the issue, nothing else.

[@frandeig66]

@@S1deshowRob The Poles were incredibly anti-semitic. Most of them hated Jews. Not all of them of course, but a LOT of the Poles hated them.

[@drutalero2962]

@@Quotenwagnerianer you're right, it was a european prob, which is why the jews left to israel.

[@tonywlaschin7842]

Watch Platoon next. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[@jackson857]

I think you guys should react to Generation Kill. To get a more modern perspective on the Marines.

[@orjansand6431]

Iwojima was important,because it put mustangs to protect the b29 in range of japanese homeland. Also importent as emergency strip for b29 damaged by flack,enginetrouble.

[@michaelgordon8235]

Loving these movie reactions! I'm not too familiar with Danish cinema but I really enjoyed 'the hunt' with mads mikkelsen.. do you have any other suggestions for us to check out?

[@KatSonny]

Everything Anders Thomas Jensen has made! Also Festen. And Druk should be good. War-related: Flammen & Citronen, Under Sandet, Krigen, Hvidsten gruppen

[@michaelgordon8235]

@@KatSonny thank you so much!

[@sirpurrsalot6588]

So you two after seeing both (flags and letters) witch one do you think is the better one from a cinematic and storytelling perspective?

[@lt.pineapples8772]

I'm not really used to commenting, but I've been watching you guys since you started uploading war films I recommend "The Great Raid" with James Franco, Dale Dye (Col. Sink in Band of Brothers), James Fiennes (Danilov in Enemy at the Gates) etc... WW2 film set in the Pacific as well, get to know about those POW the Japanese took in, and the infamous Kempeitai

[@lt.pineapples8772]

It's about the biggest POW camp raid in the war (idk if it's true) And no one is able to react to it on KZbin as far as I'm aware Imo, it was a underrated "ok" film

[@RAD-82ndABN]

You should watch the Movie “Glory” it’s about an all Black heroic Soldiers who fought for the Union. The struggle to be part of the fight and horror of war... A very Good Movie!!

[@CALLE92JOHANSSON]

The Human Condition are the best WW2 movies I've seen. Not sure it's what you want to feature (old B/W and japanese) but for Major Dad that trilogy is the absolute best portrayal Japanese fighting, way of conduct and experiences on the mainland through the eyes of a concientous objector.

[@blackpowderuser373]

10:05 "Koho Kimmu Yoin Yoseijo" - Kempeitai Reserves Training Unit In other words, reservist MPs.

[@oaf-77]

Thank you for your reaction to this, if you’re looking for older movies to react to, I’d recommend Hara-Kiri (1962) or Paths of Glory (1957)

[@amitabhsharma3916]

Watch The Thin Red Line next!

[@HemlockRidge]

The remake? Bleeehh... So artsy, should have been named "The Thin Magenta Line".

[@2steelshells]

May I suggest the book Flyboys ? James Brady.many of your comments and questions are answered here.i bought book for my dad,a ww2 pacific navy vet.heavy cruiser.uss St paul AA.squad 40 mm .was landed tokyo surrender.like many of his counterparts never forgave japan.never read book but I did,explained. Soul of Japanese fighting man and condition he found himself from 2 cent post card announcing emperor's demand for serving.to family not wanting his less then honorable return.wealth of background history.

[@chill-i9o]

have a full version of the reaction?

[@IrfanMalik27]

Yes they have the full length reaction on their Patreon page, link is in the description. You just need your own copy of the movie to sync up and you're good to go. Hope that helps

[@douglasmckenzie3324]

You guys should definitely watch We Were Soldiers.

[@HemlockRidge]

Good flag wavin, saber rattlin, rah-rah, John Wayne WWII movies. Sands of Iwo Jima, They Were Expendable, Back to Bataan, In Harms Way, The Fighting Seabees, Flying Tigers, Flying Leathernecks, and as part of a steller cast - The Longest Day. Seriously, The Longest Day is REALLY worth a watch.

[@Naldo2001]

So what movies have you seen so far? is there a list

[@darthroden]

I would have felt more sorry for those Japanese soldiers if one of the guys they were shooting at hadn't been my grandpa, but otherwise a great movie.

[@MrHeiner96]

Welcome to the Feelings of a German in the Cinema :D

[@samuraijackoff5354]

Soldiers do what soldiers do

[@meaders2002]

I have to confess source amnesia but I recall a source that stated between 1-3% of Japanese military surrendered during the island hopping campaigns. Typically those who surrendered were severely ill or wounded.

[@jeffburnham6611]

This was a good movie because it focused on events that took place on Iwo Jima. Where 'Flags of our Fathers' missed the mark is due to trying to tell the backstory of the survivors of that planted the flag, tying it in with the actual battle. Had more attention been given to the battle, and less about those that raised the flag, I think it would have had a more positive review. As a veteran (USMC) we learned quite about the Pacific island hopping campaign during basic training, it's part of our history and tradition. Clint Eastwood did a very good job on telling the human side of the combatants, along with the Bushido code of the Japanese who thought it was better to die for the Emperor than surrender.

[@gtaclevelandcity]

If you want to continue the war movie trend, I highly recommend Black Hawk Down, Saving Private Ryan, or We Were Soldiers. If not, you guys could recommend what genre you want and we could give you suggestions within those genres.

[@Fenixx117]

The rivalry between the Japanese Navy and Army was more of a blood feud. it was very intense. The Navy were considered far more professional and realistic while the Army was the religious fanatics who were suicidal in their devotion to the Emperor and imperialism

[@johnwitwicky2813]

Not sure if its been recommended yet but Come and See is a pretty essential watch

[@douglasmckenzie3324]

This Company commander was in an insane amount of pressure

[@TheCalifaskid]

We were soldiers would be another great movie for you to watch.

[@johannesschilling2611]

Might be worth the question, have you and Major Dad seen "Das Boot" from Wolfgang Petersen? If not, it´s one of the best WWII and the best Sub movie for sure.

[@Tony-B23]

An incredible movie...very long, but worth every minute

[@davido6170]

I’d love Sonny & Major Dad to review the Lost Battalion. A WWI movie based on an American into surrounded by Hermans very late in the war. Based on a true engagement. Another tv series for Sonny & Cat would be Vikings based on various sagas .

[@NemoNobody87]

Please don't torture Major Dad with the Star Wars Holiday Special!

[@ThePresident77]

Two great war movies I've always loved are both Korean. One titled "Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War" and "My Way" they're both in Korean and the latter Japanese, but they are amazing films that I think you both would enjoy reacting to!

[@カイウスレック]

I think the best Korean war movie is "High ground combat(Ko-ji-john)" I felt Japanese and Soviet army in "My way" has many stereotypes. However, I agree that's good movie.

[@dewdropper1348]

Love watching you guys react to war movies! Maybe watch a different war next time! Platoon, the hurt locker, black hawk down

[@ricodee3188]

Love your videos guys, I highly recommend the movie *“Flowers of War”* , it’s set during the Japanese invasion of China in 1937, and is centred around a *Nazi party member, John Rabe* ,who saved many besieged Chinese.

[@EricMcLovin13]

this movie is gutwrenching, and he isn't a nazi, he is a catholic priest

[@ricodee3188]

@@EricMcLovin13 John Rabe was a member of the Nazi party and a buisness man who lived in China for 27 years up until 1937. The priesthood depiction accompanied with his use of the Nazi symbol was a guise to deter the Japanese from entering his safe zones which catered to Chinese civilians.

[@EricMcLovin13]

@@ricodee3188 oh, interesting, i didn't know that i watched the movie a few years ago so i don't remember much

[@ricodee3188]

@@EricMcLovin13 don’t worry, it’s not a problem. always happy to inform 🙏🏾

[@andreraymond6860]

@@EricMcLovin13 John Rabe was indeed a Nazi party member and a business man manager for a car manufacturer in China. He became a hero in that he used the neutrality of his country and its alliance with the Japanese to protect as many Chinese civilians as he could during the massacres at Nanjing in 1937. The movie 'Flowers Of War' centers on a young man passing himself as a Catholic missionary who sets out to protect the Chinese girls in a school against the occupying Japanese forces. It stars Christian Bales. My most highly recommended movie on the subject is the super 'City Of Life And death'.

[@migueldelacruz4799]

I've watched Flags of Our Fathers maybe three times but Letters From Iwo Jima damn near fifty times.

[@MrSmithla]

I think the most telling line of this movie is the little privates arguing over their predictions of how many American ships will come when they do. I believe the highest estimate was, what, 20? You should take that number as an indication of what they know. I saw a video of the son of a North Korean Air Force general who defected. He said that as a general rule, the North Korean Air Force doesn’t fly. There’s no North Korean airline. On most days the Air Force sits idle. He said if any North Korean looked up and saw 3 total planes in the sky, it was VERY noteworthy. So, I’d imagine that if you asked a North Korean, even in the Air Force (excepting, of course, those in intelligence) “Hey, if the Americans came tomorrow, how many planes would they bring?”? Like the little Japanese soldiers, their assessment would be based on what they see in their own military.

[@MrSmithla]

Ask yourself why the Japanese private gave the number he did. He’s in the Army but stationed on an island, so he’s basing his guess on, basically, what he’s seen in the forces of his own country plus, maybe, adding some percentage based on his understanding that by this time, the American military must have been perceived, all through the ranks and services, as more powerful than Japan’s. He must have seen, sometime, somewhere, a gathering of 20 or so ships and marveled. We know both sides of the equation. Japan never had military parity with the US. Even if you argue that December 6, 1941 Japan was very close in some areas, only an idiot failed to recognize that so many factories were shuttered for the Great Depression and weeks or less would be required to turn the lights on, retool the machines and start cranking out war material. If it came to protracted war, Japan would start behind (they had no oil) and only grow further so. In 1944 a 20 ship flotilla was a huge investment of available resources. It was nothing to the US.

[@sweets_lieben]

The reason why Japanese Soldiers those days wanted to kill theirselves, even if they couldn't take any enemy's lives with them, is that they thought and taught as a Japanese Imperial Soldier that being a captive is a shame. Also suiciding like a falling petal, "Gyokusai" in Japanese, was considered as a virtue.

[@Swissswoosher]

“How is that any better” Answer: the Japanese saw surrender as the most dishonourable thing you could do. Sepuku, the act of killing yourself rather than surrendering was seen as the honourable way out. That’s why so many Japanese killed themselves rather than surrender.

[@walkingwounded3824]

How about "The Patriot" Starring Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger (R.I.P.). A revolutionary war movie.

[@GrenzerKuK]

Would love to see you do a commentary on '9 April' - was it a pointless loss of life for the sake of political tokenism ('the world must see us at least attempt to put up a fight') or a necessary sacrifice for Denmark's self-respect and long-term existence as an independent nation? The same questions could be asked of the '1864' mini-series too. Especially for Major Dad (and with all due respect) - how does a Danish officer order his men to fight and die in a battle they all know they cannot win?

[@gravitypronepart2201]

John Wayne movies? Oh I'm so down for that! Just dont expect historical accuracy. I'm assuming you are interested in seeing his war movies. I love all his movies, but war movies are cool. May I recommend: "They Were Expendable". A story about the PT boats fighting a losing rear action in the Philippines. Another is: "The Longest Day", although he has a relatively small roll as a 82nd Airborn commander. If you are interested in US calvary action, may I recommend: "Horse Soldiers". Of coarse he is famous for: Sands of Iwo Jima.

[@karsu]

Straight every time in my head canon Sonny talk to his dad I picture he talks in a Solid Snake voice and has that “colonel”/kernel Solid Snake pronunciation but with “Major” instead.

[@MrSmithla]

Check out the Russian film ‘Tankers.’ It’s free on YT. Subtitled although with most good war movies, practically unnecessary. Really gripping!

[@richmeister22]

Love to see Major Dad's reactions. Keep going. How about Hacksaw Ridge?

[@Smuffleri]

Generation Kill when??? I'm hyped if you watch it

[@PSadvance]

Still hoping for a Generation Kill reaction (HBO series on the Invasion of Iraq)

[@KatSonny]

It's not gonna come 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@TheradoneV1]

@@KatSonny Bummer.

[@mikloowl4899]

I know it would be depressing but schindler's list would be interesting to see the both of you react to, Kat may not care for it one bit.

[@jonathanlindsey463]

u2 should react to “the emporer” starring tommy lee jones... it shows another side of after ww2

[@moisesvides6747]

8:18 wise words in fact

[@patrickholt2270]

The Japanese did an exemplary job of learning from their mistakes with each island defense, changing their tactics and weapon mix to maximise American casualties and how long it took to conquer each island in turn. The way they adapted to US air supremacy and overwhelming firepower superiority was impressive, and in many ways prefigured the successes of the Vietminh over the French and US forces. The only question is how long they would have continued to resist if Allied forces (including the USSR) had had to invade the Japanese Home Islands. Logically it couldn't have been long, what with the devastation of their war industries and the onset of starvation resulting from the sinking of the small vessels they used to move for fishing and moving food around between the islands. But American war planners were right to fear the costs.

[@zombiTrout]

For a real downer try “Come and See”.

[@pavelslama5543]

The difference between Americans and Japanese couldnt be greater. Japanese strategy can be described as first a surprise attack, and if that doesnt work then a suicide charge. American strategy was use absolutely overwhelming force, and if that doesnt work then use a much more overwhelming force.

[@fasiapulekaufusi6632]

They could not get reinforcements because the entire island was surrounded by the American fleet