The Unlikely Making of Clint Eastwood's "Letters from Iwo Jima"

[@ReelHistory]

In case you missed it, view our rare Iwo Jima battlefield tour here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWXUn6qvrrOJircfeature=shared

[@masafumi1117]

The Americans were able to accurately predict the next actions of Russian troops as they gathered near the Ukrainian border. However, Americans do not understand what they were trying to do to Japan after gathering American troops in Hawaii in the past. They tried to justify the invasion of Japan to their own soldiers by placing the blame on Japan, which had acted in anticipation of the US invasion. That is the truth and everything. アメリカ人は、ロシア軍がウクライナの国境近くに集まったとき、ロシア軍の次の行動を正確に予測できた。しかしアメリカ人は、過去にハワイにアメリカ軍を集め、次に日本に何をしようとしていたのか理解しようとしない。アメリカが日本へ侵攻することを予測して動いた日本に罪をなすりつける形で日本への侵略を自国の軍人に正当化してみせた。それが事実で全てである。

[@Oinari_San]

@@masafumi1117 言いたいことはわかるけど、少なくとも動画主に対して書くことじゃないでしょ。 駐日米大使館とかに書き込みなや。

[@ソミー]

戦勝国側からの視点で描かれた素晴らしい作品は数あれど、日本側の視点でここまで作り込まれた映画はこの映画だけだと思う。 本当に素晴らしい作品

[@ThomasG.-hh9gg]

I served in the us army. When I was going through basic training there was another recruit his name was yagi (Japanese American) and this man was an EXCELLENT soldier!! In my world yagi was the last true SAMURAI!!! He had the heart of a LION!!!!!

[@HULLGRAFFITI]

How this guy manages to make these films under budget and on time over and over is incredible ....

[@VoorTrekker88]

not to mention he's also nearly 100 and still doing it

[@sidneysun5217]

spielberg had a good answer to this. he said he started from small films with tiny budgets and had to get creative with how he used the money. and his budget got progressively bigger but he still carried what he learned about being efficient with money. these days alot of movies are directed by someone who's first film was sometimes just commercials or a short film with small budgets. and suddenly they're thrown into hollywood with 100million and they just dont know what to do with it. it's kinda like if u just gave the average person $1 million and they'd probably splurge on gold-sprinkled pizzas or something. not knowing that even rich people don't eat that stuff every day lol.

[@HULLGRAFFITI]

@ You only gotta see what happens when they give these puppet directors 200 million to make something by committee from Star wars ,Marvel ,Alien etc.. that should be a no brainer to do right as there's already a wealth of loved excellent writing , a lot virtually already perfectly storyboarded in graphic novel form , and a ready made audience of millions waiting ..And they still manage to fk it up and loose extra millions doing it . Baffles me how they consistently make terrible films while the few directors who are left the freedom to do their thing who are invested enough to want every penny on the screen give us things like Dune,Joker ,Logan, Deadpool or The Batman that make huge profits and are actual decent films ...You'd think studios would have put 2 and 2 together by now.

[@WilliamBlinky]

The more I see and hear of Clint Eastwood, the more I believe that he's a gem of a person and somewhat unique. I have long appreciated him as an actor, especially as he grew older. And now, thanks to this video and interviews of people that he directed, I understand and like him as someone on the other side of the camera.

[@tng2057]

My flight to Tokyo a few months ago incredibly flew over Iwo Jima during daytime. When I looked at the island from above that piano music loomed large in my head. I was in tears. I really treasure the pictures I took of the island.

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

This is brilliant. Clint Eastwood knows what he wants to do, and gets it done without belittling, derogating, or disrespecting others. It takes incredible strength, kindness, and respect to tell the Iwo Jima story from the perspectives on BOTH sides of the battle. In a culture that worships politics, which dehumanizes people so it can keep them divided, and distracted from the fact that these "public servants" are really our masters, _Letters From Iwo Jima_ puts the lie to the first step in keeping us divided, by putting the humanity back into “the enemy”. At the time of writing this comment, the U.S. has just come through an election year that saw Americans incredibly divided. I have never before seen such willingness to hate among my fellow citizens. And the worst part of it is that the haters wear their hatred like a badge of honor, as though it somehow makes them more virtuous. Each size dehumanizes the other. Those who want to bury the hatchet and reach out to heal the wounds are rejected, scorned, & vilified. The hate has to stop. It's eating us alive, and will bring civilization crashing down. The problem is the belief that politics is the solution to all our problems. No, it's not. It's keeps real problems alive, and creates new ones that never existed, or aren't even real. This guarantees that politicians and bureaucrats remain fully employed, while honest people find it increasingly difficult just to earn a decent living, Politics is the fountainhead of hatred. It's the thing that permanently polarizes us into "us vs. them" camps. It solves nothing. People cooperating with each other is what solves problems. Politics is antithetical to that process. Yet, we remain addicted to the belief that "We just need to get The Right People in there", as though they won't be corrupted by the same power that has always corrupted those who seek it. No...just no. There are no "right people" to hold power over the lives of others. We've missed the point. The U.S. Constitution was the best the founders could do at the time, but everyone forgets that the real founding document of the U.S. was the _Declaration of Independence._ Read it. It will tell you how far off-track we are, and how to get back on track.

[@TheStugbit]

While I agree with some things you said here, my Thomas Hobbes side strongly disagrees with your understanding of politics, human nature, its conditions and contexts, and also the social contract overall.

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

@@TheStugbit - OK. 😎

[@thearthritisgamer946]

This is one of the final movies I got to see with my dad before he passed away. He loved, adored, worshipped world history and taught me my love of mine. I remember how emotional we were after seeing Letters from Iwo Jima (we also saw Flags together in theaters too). We told each other how much we loved each other and to this day the entire soundtrack reminds me of him. Love you dad. Friendly reminder to tell your family and friends that you love them today!!

[@softsofasoftsofa]

sweet memory

[@robertbenson9797]

Very moving episode. The attention to detail on both sides is amazing. The firebombing raids on Tokyo in March of 1945 were deadlier than either of the atomic bombs. The characters depicted on both sides had more similarities than differences. Just proving that war is a waste. I have a new respect for Clint Eastwood.

[@SL4PSH0CK]

unfortunately the Firebombings were least acknowledged in the internet in these topics

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

71 German cities were firebombed in WW2 killing around 600k, mostly women, children and old people. Japan got the same kind of treatment with a death toll of 400k to 500k dead. I don't know the total number of cities that were firebombed but the Tokyo raid in March 1945 killed 100k by itself.

[@ElijahRosenberg38]

Look up Ralph Ignatowski on Iwo Jima and how he died and tell me both sides were alike

[@DevinEMILE]

@@ElijahRosenberg38 Unit 731. Its not brought up enough. Every single thing about the Atomic bombs, there's at least one guy talking about the firebombs in the comments.

[@markforan4812]

I doubt that anyone other than Clint Eastwood could have made these two movies. I doubt that anyone other than Clint Eastwood would even think of making them. My admiration for his talent has only increased over the years.

[@simonkevnorris]

I saw Flags of Our Fathers first and thought it was OK and then I watched Letters from Iwo Jima and really enjoyed it. I have a box set of the two movies on Blu-Ray. The 'making of' video was interesting to watch. Thanks.

[@jungleboy1]

Letters from Iwo Jima was better. I felt it.

[@tanker335]

Ironically, John Bradley, who's son wrote Flags of Our Fathers, has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt to not be one of the 6 Marines in the iconic photo of the raising of the 2nd flag at Iwo Jima. He had to have known it at the time and certainly never mentioned it publicly in the years before his death. The question is why? I think he told the Marine Corp immediately and was ordered to keep quite and go with the program. Which he did for decades.

[@fuyu5979]

Awesome movie from the Japanese view ! Clint Eastwood is such a talented director that could accomplish such a feat: filming two movies at once! All the collaboration involved in the making of this movie are from truly talented n skilled people n why this movie is soooh meaningful to soohh many people worldwide! Kudos for the upload. Anticipating ue next one. Peace

[@altonbunnjr]

Not gonna lie, between the two movies I Iiked this one better.

[@noahellis3672]

I have to admit that I watched both Flag Of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima and, like you I found this movie to be the better of the two. A very compelling storyline that just pulled me in.

[@samgao]

I was underwhelmed with flags of our fathers because it focused too much on finding who the guy in the shot was.... But this was a proper war movie... I remember having such low expectations, but came out thinking it was a masterpiece.

[@rc59191]

Me too dude it was the first movie I saw that actually showed the Japanese perspective on things.

[@aztronomy7457]

Clint Eastwood agrees. He said so at a talk.

[@piscator4655]

I am Japanese. But I prefer "Flags of Our Fathers." It's a masterpiece of a war movie, on par with Stanley Kubrick's "Paths of Glory." above all, It made great contrasting of picture between the Battle field against the Homeland Off course, "Letters from Iwo Jima" was a great war movie that can not make by Japanese today who could not imagine about war real.

[@lohikarhu734]

Thanks for this popping up on my feed... it's one of the few of Eastwood's movies that I have not seen.

[@Chris-ut6eq]

Bookends like this are rare. This is what I also loved in Tora Tora Tora, both perspectives on the same situation.

[@kiwimerchant121]

I remember finding the idea of a movie focusing on the Japanese perspective ridiculous, boy has this movie open my eyes. 10/10

[@mattfaulk8724]

war is never that simple. The real bad guys are the ones that start wars for greed(land, oil, subjugation) and not so much the soldiers that are send to fight for it or against it. Even ppl that may seem evil or bad may have just been told lies his whole life to believe you are the bad guy. Humans are capable or bad things just as well as good

[@Jj-ne9wq]

Why did you think it was ridiculous in the first place? Every side has their own perspectives and stories, whether it’s good or bad.

[@VoorTrekker88]

Had a grandpap who was a Pacific War vet. He passionately hated the 'Nips' until the day he died. If I saw what he saw, who's to say I wouldn't feel the same?

[@HappyGM-R]

⁠@@Jj-ne9wq He thought it was ridiculous because he didn’t realize that. But then as he said the movie made him realize so.

[@thebigenchilada678]

@@HappyGM-Rthe fact that he didn’t already think this is shameful.

[@t.macrocosm1831]

A great movie. Even a couple of Marine veterans who fought on Iwo said this was an excellent film in one of the KZbin videos I saw recently. Surprisingly, they reacted negatively to John Wayne’s movies like “Sands of Iwo Jima” as Hollywood propaganda. But they did like this one.

[@samalcatraz8751]

Hey Fred, I’m headed to boot camp for the Marine Corps on January 14th, I’m looking forward to binging your great videos that I’m gonna miss when I finish. Thanks for being cool let Mr. Sledge know I think he’s awesome to listen to

[@ReelHistory]

We'll be here. Stay safe and don't eat the crayons. 😉

[@actaeon299]

Remember. A BIG part of Basic, is to "Listen", and to "Do What You Are Told". You'd be amazed at how many get in trouble for failing to do those. And now matter how bad it gets, it will end. Good Luck.

[@OskyMaBoi]

good luck and remember, ´´keep your head down and keep moving... and listen to your NCOs´´

[@Ronaldl2350]

You headed to Parris Island? My son was in the Corps for nine years.

[@Jmiranda70]

Heyyyy you going to Parris island or San Diego? I’m an admin for a marine bootcamp family support group for San Diego. Have your family and friends search out similar groups, they give a lot of great information and support

[@sidneysun5217]

saw both movies and loved this one too. i think both deserved more exposure with the audience. i remember in theatres hearing people openly sob at the end of this movie

[@zzydny]

While we all probably aware of some of the great actors who appeared in Flags of Our Fathers, Americans are a lot less likely to know that the actors who appeared in Letters From Iwo Jima are also well-known in their own country and that they have amazing histories as actors. Just to mention two of these actors: Nakamura Shido (Lt. Ito) made his debut in Kabuki theatre at the age of eight, following the long time tradition of his family. Ninomiya Kazunari (Saigo) is a Japanese pop idol and is a member of the group Arashi; he is such a formidable actor that he has won the Japanese Academy Award for Best Actor. Other members of the cast are also great talents: Kase Ryo (Shimizu), Ihara Tsuyoshi (Baron Nishi), and, most likely known to US audiences, Watanabe Ken (Gen. Kuribayashi). Although they don't rate a mention in this video, they merit recognition. Their work in this movie is praiseworthy.

[@Sugarmountaincondo]

These 2 Clint movies brought more attention to the Pacific War region and enlightened more people beyond just D-Day or the Battle of the Bulge that 99.9% only know. 👍👍💯❤

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

Hollywood doesn't have much interest in the Pacific War. They're too busy making movies about their number one enemy - Germany.

[@mattfaulk8724]

think thats more due to so many more countries involved in the eastern front an also Hitler is the guy that kicks it all off. Most of the stuff on the Pacific war is mostly Navy and air combat.

[@area_d]

I want a movie about the 442nd Regiment next.

[@claudiuspseudonymus1369]

The Japanese cast were insistent that they were pictured accurately and not comically like in old Hollywood war movies. During filming the Battle of Britain (1969), Director Guy Hamilton asked the German actor playing Hermann Goering to 'ham it up" a bit. the entire German cast threaten to walk off in protest...not outta respect to Goering but bcos it would have been poking fun at all Germans and insulting to the memory of the sacrifices -suffering of Germans too during the war.

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

Times have changed since 1969.

[@claudiuspseudonymus1369]

@@karlheinzvonkroemann2217 Indeed, time has changed but human nature has remained the same...!

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

@@claudiuspseudonymus1369 That generation of Germans has died off. All that's left are people raised under an American created government and everything that entails, media and schools. They hate their grandparents.

[@shalte3579]

I'm glad it got uploaded on youtube. I just rewatched the movie few days ago. What a masterpiece, one of my favourite and one of the best war movies. I don't know how they managed to make it so spectacular with such a low budget.

[@MarkMateljan-kc8ip]

Excellent....does justice to the brave men of both armies. RIP.... 💙

[@kevinjamison4561]

This is the better of the two I think. Excellent and a needed counterpoint for the history of the event.

[@mrpotato4441]

High quality production. Whoever edits these videos does a great job

[@trevorvogel8132]

While I'm not a big fan of Flags of Our Fathers, I think Letters From Iwo Jima is a fantastic movie.

[@GD19415]

One of my favorite movies of all time

[@Robin6512]

This movie was a fabulous movie. Also kudos for making a movie seen from the enemy side. As said before, I found this one better than the other.

[@davidkimmel5153]

Very interesting. Eastwood is a wonderful person as well as a director. A True American 🇺🇸

[@japanarmy-w8e]

Hello, Bro I am from Japan 🇯🇵 Pleasure to meet you.

[@田中洋-d1w]

思えばSHOGUNより遙かに先駆けて日本人に日本語で日本を演技をさせた映画でした。 公開当時、劇場で観た私にはその意義を考えるほどの思慮は無かった。 すべての戦場で戦ったすべての兵士たちの尊厳が永遠に語り継がれるように祈ります。 ふたつの重要な映画を創造したイーストウッド監督とスタッフに心からの感謝を申し上げます。

[@seiroudate1415]

装備などもよく調べている感じた。歩兵の八九式重擲弾筒と弾薬嚢、九三式対戦車地雷、敵味方識別用の白いたすき掛け、九七式手榴弾の起爆方法、召集令状を渡した大日本婦人会などの服装、なにより陸軍と海軍の確執さえも表現できている。西郷が運んでいた九二式重機関銃の弾薬箱も正確な表現だった。

[@dasfilmemachermorammo]

Clint Eastwood is roughly in the same generation as that of WW2 veterans, so it's astonishing to think he made a movie accurately depicting the perspective of the former enemies of those veterans. Plus, he grew up in a mostly conservative era, so this tells you something about Eastwood as a director

[@ralphgreenjr.2466]

I had two Uncles at Iwo Jima, one a Marine and the other a Seabee. This was not their first combat engagement. They seldom spoke about their experience, but described the Japanese soldiers as fanatical and very brave.

[@flatoutt1]

a huge thanks ,to all that were involved. we need reminding of how much work, commitment and expertise ,go into making something like this.

[@yujiogi]

I am Japanese. I was not alive at the time, but I think this movie is very accurate.

[@crazykingmanlau]

This movie shows a complete different side from what we usually see of Japanese fought instead of savage crazed fighters we see a human side of them that’s quite rare

[@renegadeleader1]

Both can be equally true. The same Japanese soldier writing home to his wife and newborn child missing them who doesn't want to be stationed at Iwo Jima is also the same Japanese soldier that tortured and mutilated US Marines they captured like Ralph Ignatowski. The brutality, inhumanity, and dehumanizing of their enemy in combat was literally beaten into them by their commanders. To dissent to this indoctrination would just get you beaten to death.

[@SL4PSH0CK]

both are depicted rarely id say.

[@trooperdgb9722]

Now we need a movie of THIS QUALITY showing the Chinese resistance to the brutal Japanese occupation of their country in the 1930's... that led to the sanctions on Japan, and ultimately to the Pacific War itself. No view of the Japanese Army, no matter how sympathetic to individuals, must ever cloud the horrific institutional violence against civilians that it demonstrated everywhere.

[@甲田申由-d1t]

@@trooperdgb9722 what about vietnam war?

[@trooperdgb9722]

@@甲田申由-d1t That would be good too. We have had 2 Australian Vietnam movies, Very different aproaches but both good.

[@FredScuttle456]

The movie was filmed in Iceland, because it has the same kind of volcanic soil. Amazing.

[@MorningGI0ry]

The bittersweet main theme really makes the movie stand out to me. On its own it’s superb, but with the crying trumpets the emotions really flow.

[@conradmw81]

You’re like The Criterion Collection but for DVD commentaries and bonus features 😂 bravo

[@SMichaelDeHart]

My late father, Staff Sergeant Robert E. DeHart, was a Combat Veteran in the South Pacific Campaign on Guam, Tinian, Saipan and Iwo Jima of WWII. Dad was a Flightline Engineer and Mechanic on the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in the 20th US Army Air Force, 7th Army Air Corp, 414th Fighter/Bomber Group, 413th F/B Squadron. His group was ordered onto Iwo after our US Marines had captured the airfields on Iwo Jima. The 414th was the first Group of USAAF units on Iwo, landing the first week of March (Marines invaded February 19th, 1945). The P-47 Thunderbolts were used as air to ground support as the US Marines were still clearing out the cave and taking Mount Suribachi and air cover for the Navy ships in and around the islands. I still have the photograph's that dad mailed back home to mom. The photos showed the brutality of war and the aftermath of our beloved US Marines cemetery on Iwo. We lost my dad March 20th, 2006 at 88yo. Mom had passed on December 18th, 2002. They had been married 62 years, starting February 14th, 1942. He left for boot camp in North Carolina right after their marriage. They raised 7 kids (I'm the youngest) in a Christian Blue Collar home in southern West Virginia. After being demobbed in November 1945, dad had the option of either becoming a Virginia State Trooper or a Class A Transmission/Distribution Lineman for Appalachian Power Company. He chose the latter and was with APCO for 38 years (1946-1982 ['82 my graduation year]). All 7 of us kids worked our ways through college and as a result... elementary school (sister) teacher, legal secretary (sister), chemical safety engineer (brother), medical sales rep (brother), WV State Trooper & USSS Special Agent (brother), paralegal (brother)and a Insurance Special Investigator & Firefighter/EMS Medical First Responder (myself). We were very blessed as a family and I'm now 60 yo and my eldest sister just turned 80. They were definitely "the greatest generation "!! I was so proud of dad when we took him (as a special guest) to the ceremonies for the opening of the WWII Memorial on the Mall in Washington DC in 2005. Dads picture (in uniform) and information is on the Computer System for the WWII Memorial. Miss my parents daily!!

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

All of those islands are in the CENTRAL PACIFIC not the South Pacific. MacArthur commanded in the South Pacific and Admiral Nimitiz commanded in the Central Pacific. What branch of the service and what unit was he in? I guess he was in the Army Air Corps, right?

[@SMichaelDeHart]

​@@karlheinzvonkroemann221720th US Army Air Force, 7th Army Air Corp, 414th Fighter/Bomber Group, 413th F/B Squadron. One of his 5 medals was the South Pacific Campaign and it clearly states on his Honorable Discharge Docs "South Pacific". In fact, the USAAF Book put out by 20th stated South Pacific Campaign. Dad hated MacArthur. Hap Arnold was his favorite.

[@softsofasoftsofa]

Nice slice of history.

[@davekisor1486]

Dad served in the Pacific and had been through a few Banzai charges. He used to say they were doing a job for their country just like we were.

[@sheldonf]

Saipan was also Japanese soil since 1914. Iwo was not the first. Excellent movies both.

[@HK_Productions47]

True, but Iwo Jima was considered traditional Japanese home soil as it were.

[@kevinpascual]

Very happy I caught this film in theaters

[@bruscifer]

Damn you! Now I have to go watch it again, for the umteeth time! 😉Thank you Mr. Eastwood, for two masterpieces. I have seen and shall see both again and again. Beats the hell out of any Marvel Comic Book movie.

[@lutomson3496]

was stationed on Okinawa in the 70s we toured the battlefields there some with unexploded ordinance all around saw where Ernie Pyle was killed and we flew over to Iwo Jima a few times and did the same hiked mt suribachi went through the tunnels there and a lot of unexploded ordinance there also at the time was nice to see the actual battlefields on where so many died including my Uncle...war is terrible

[@AudieHolland]

During World War II, Allied and German bombers dropped so many bombs on cities and mines in the North Sea that even today, most mines are not recovered but sometimes, they find one that has gotten loose onto a major shipping lane so it will be destroyed. Often during road or building construction, a bomb may be found and will also have to be disposed of by, in The Netherlands, the Explosieven Opruimingsdienst (EOD, explosives removal service). The EOD is called upon about 2,000 times per year.

[@claytonmcclain182]

Very powerful movies.

[@bobbyb.6644]

Beautiful Symmetry ! Sad but Honorable to All 😢

[@mhedman]

Great movie and soundtrack. Stellar performances from the cast and everyone involved. I enjoyed this behind the scenes look. Thank you.

[@Gool349]

I wish there were more double-movies that show both sides in war

[@edwardwhite4015]

Yes, this was something that should have been included in 'Masters of the Air', an episode from a German pilot's perspective.

[@Gool349]

@@edwardwhite4015 agreed! all we got was that slow-mo shot :D

[@MysticalDragon73]

If you've not read a higher call, it's a must read. Its amazing and shares both sides

[@edwardwhite4015]

@@MysticalDragon73 Yes, it is an excellent book and would make a great movie, so would 'Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors.'

[@MysticalDragon73]

@edwardwhite4015 im just worried that hollywood would screw it up, interject their own junk into it, or not be true to the story. It's amazing enough as it is without a need to add to it

[@kiyose-qk4wl]

二人の士官の「あの世で会おう」と「靖国で会おう」 の対比に唸りました。たま、栗林中将が最後までコルトを使わなかった演出にも唸りました。脚本も素晴らしいです。

[@nakadai4444]

The movie was made in a briliant way, great actrors, great Directors and with a huge fantastic Team, and I saw an Impressive Lovely, strong and Sweet Image, from the actor Ninomiya, his part was just Brilliant, and he seems a small Boy, even so he is a fantastc actor and he usede to have A Music Band in Japan, by thoses, but now I know nothing abnout Him, my best wisehs of great and happy life, and May God Bless them all....

[@RR-SQ]

Piece of Art

[@4catsnow]

Read the citations...they don't look like art.

[@RR-SQ]

@@4catsnow No friends, nothing to do? Lmao The”Movie” !

[@4catsnow]

@RR-SQ Another little snippet depicting how the human being validates his reputation for being the most hysterically dangerous creature that walks this earth...but pretty swashbuckling on the big screen,, yes??

[@RR-SQ]

@4catsnow Absolute Nonsense. Don’t forget you are one of those what you call the “most hypocritically dangerous creatures”. lol. In addition, “reputation “ from the same creature is contradicting to what you think as logical. 😂 You must be one of those who see no artistic value whatsoever in “Gone with Wind” because of your twisted view. Just enjoy the movie and its makings and don’t embarrass yourself. Goodbye.

[@cb3362]

i just realized the actor for the character of Saigo is also the main character in the 2022 film "Fragments of the Last Will" i recommend you guys to give it a watch!

[@thomasalden6263]

This is a truly phenomenal movie overall and about the Japanese perspective of the battle and about war

[@MysticalDragon73]

I got tye book flags of our fathers as a birthday present. Then i saw the movie in theatrers it was chilling and somber mood when we left. Very little talking. I could only handle watching it once.

[@merlin51h84]

Both excellent productions.

[@jonoleech7832]

There are 2 movies that anyone interested in the Pacific theatre needs to see: Grave of the Firefly’s and this.

[@noahellis3672]

I have always been a fan of Clint Eastwood as an actor for years but he is also an exceptionally good if not brilliant director. The Unforgiven is one of my favorites as well as Sully and a number of others. But I have to admit that this movie has to be in, not just in his best top five movies he's directed, but possibly in the best top ten war movies ever made. And it certainly had a moving soundtrack that added to the spirit and emotion of the movie.

[@Mr.SpongeGlockAK47Pants]

Forever my go to War movie since i was a youngin, i watched Letters To Iwo Jima first then Flags of our fathers but Iwo Jima is by far better story line & very touching. Coming from an American 💯🇺🇲

[@T47BH]

初めて買ったBlu-ray作品 今でもあの感動は忘れない

[@Bullz_eye47]

Clint Eastwood is a veryyyyyyyy underrated film director imo

[@brian24981]

Top 5 ww2 movie

[@peterwilson5528]

One of the greatest war/anti-war movies of all time. A true masterpiece.

[@actaeon299]

I wonder how this movie was received in Japan.

[@emmettmorin6354]

It was received very well in Japan, many Japanese appreciated that all the actors were native Japanese speakers and that they were not demonized in their portrayal.

[@noahellis3672]

I remember after watching Letters on DVD I watched on the DVD extras Clint Eastwood and some of the Japanese cast members on stage at a special question and answer session with the media and fans of the movie in Japan. The movie got high marks from the Japanese public and there was a lot of praise for Clint Eastwood and all involved in the production of the movie.

[@soyokaze777]

There is something remarkable about the reviews in Japan. Some children were shown this movie, and many of them remarked, "This is the coolest Japanese war drama I've ever seen." This serves as evidence that the film brilliantly portrays not only the spirit of Japanese soldiers of that time but also the universal essence of the Japanese spirit that endures to this day. Additionally, the film does not excessively dramatize heroic or tragic depictions. Rather, it unfolds events in a calm and straightforward manner, almost like a documentary. This aspect is something rarely seen in Japanese war dramas produced until then, and it is likely a reason why the film has continued to be highly regarded in Japan over time.

[@犬まにまに]

I am Japanese, and when I saw this movie for the first time, I cried in the cinema. There were two reasons why I cried. The movie was really wonderful, and it was moved by the careful depiction of the Japanese army in the Battle of Iwo Jima. The other reason was that I regret that no Japanese director had been able to make such a wonderful war movie about the Japanese army until now. This movie had a very positive impact on Japanese war movies after that. I am really grateful to director Clint Eastwood and have a lot of respect for him.

[@actaeon299]

@犬まにまに Thank you for your reply. Maybe Japanese Directors were worried about a "sensitive" subject.

[@SL4PSH0CK]

man the best back to back movies to watch: Letters from Iwo Jima and Flags of Our Father.

[@geoffreyrichardson8738]

A job well done

[@daugmulumba5086]

What a great score man.

[@DefaultOzone]

Unrelated to the video so I’m sorry for that. Is there a plan to do a series on SAS Rogue Heroes?

[@ReelHistory]

It pretty high up on our list

[@DefaultOzone]

@ that’s awesome to hear. Im going through season two and itching to get the truth behind it.

[@Lonovavir]

I liked this film better than Flags of our Fathers. It humanized the Japanese and is a superb and bleak story.

[@colinb5415]

These are two of the best films ever made.

[@peartree8338]

Rumor has it it was actually his chair doing the directing. Clint is known for appreciating how deep and philosophical the brains of chairs are. 🪑🚶‍♂️

[@hallytron]

A writer is called Yamishita. Any chance a relative of hers has been to Malaya? aha

[@yeahiknowimcute5830]

This was an awesome movie

[@艦隊司令長官1889生まれ]

祖国の為に戦った英霊方を忘れてはいけない

[@yvonneplant9434]

What happened to Eastwood's latest movie, Juror #2???

[@arkham1511]

Great documentary!

[@banartul]

I actually like 'Letters from Iwo Jima' more than I did 'Flags of Our Fathers'.

[@DinoBambang]

Ken Watanabe is a great actor, he should be in cast of Shogun 2024.

[@johngaltjkt62]

A highly underrated war movie.

[@satriyowicak380]

This movie is amazing. Even for 100 years after

[@softsofasoftsofa]

Actual title: Red Sun, Black Sand: The Making of 'Letters from Iwo Jima'

[@waggsish]

one of the best war movies ever made. Clint's best. Pays homage to all sides.

[@Jermster_91]

I prefer Letter of Iwo Jima more than Flags of our Fathers.

[@ugn495]

第二次世界大戦時アメリカは自分たちが正義だと思い、日本は自分たちが正義だと思ってた

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

Would Hollywood EVER make a movie showing the German side of a battle with us?

[@ReelHistory]

Valkyrie kinda does.

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

@@ReelHistory It's not about a battle. it's about praising would be assassins. Something NOT what most Germans back then condoned, so it wasn't from their point of view. I only know of one and it was fiction. Hollywood has their own agendas.

[@tfwomble]

1993 Stalingrad is good

[@kremesauce]

Hopefully but at least there’s downfall!

[@karlheinzvonkroemann2217]

@@tfwomble It's a good movie but typically anti-war, anti German government. NO movie can be made in Germany without that stuff, Hollywood is exactly the same. What anti Japanese government commentary was in this movie?

[@bryanperalta740]

I takes an American film production to portray a balance view of their enemy. I doubt they would’ve done the same.

[@DamplyDoo]

Never saw this movie. I kinda want to now

[@Dondingdingding]

I like the pacing of the japanese version. The american one seems a bit rushed.

[@sjoormen1]

Band of brothers asside and Pacific, the only move worth watching as WW2 goes.

[@outlet6989]

A few days ago, I watched a documentary film on YT showing the effects of the WW2 firebombing of Tokyo...or was that Southern California?

[@deo7320]

今まで戦争映画では日本は悪として描かれてきた。だけどあなたが初めてどちらの立場も平等に描いてくれた。 ありがとう、イーストウッド監督

[@andrewtaylor940]

Somebody please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Saipan was under Japanese control pre-war. Guam and Tinian were US. But they had a much longer presence on Saipan. Iwo Jima is a little harder to describe as the first fight on Japanese Home Soil. Simply for the fact that outside of those few years of WW2, nobody has lived there. It's routinely uninhabitable. Iwo Jima is an active Volcano. Not Iwo Jima has an active Volcano, it is the active volcano. Which periodically erupts. Like last year for example. It's Japanese soil in the same way that Attu and Kiska were American. Yes technically they are American Real Estate. But they are without question the absolute worst places on earth to be.

[@PsychoHaro]

It had a logistical and morale destroying importance in the war. It was a refueling point for the next major operation which was Okinawa for bombers and ships. The morale was that what the japanese were being told at the time they were going good in the war and then all of a sudden they lost a japanese island to the people they were supposedly beating. Iwo Jima and Okinawa were supposed to be blood baths to discourage the Americans from invading the actual mainland which was a two prong offensive that was planned before the nuclear bombs was successfully tested. They wanted to get a better footing on the peace negotiations which never happened.

[@donhill3rd]

cavel as in gavel not cal-very

[@dantankunfiveancestorsfist]

Clint and his crew really made a very authentic and realistic movie, IMO it truly showcase how discipline, dedicated and hardcore the Japanese especially their authorities a truly no retreat no surrender a to the death to the last man! Just how the Japanese were willing to die and suffer giving up their lives, their love ones, their cities and nation that it would take two atomic bombs to finally force Japan to surrender unconditionally.

[@magnificus8581]

Funny, just watched this last week

[@ElijahRosenberg38]

I’m of the minority that likes Flags of our Fathers better.

[@duartesimoes508]

For some reason, _Letters from Iwo Jima_ is a great movie while _Flags from our Fathers_ is very lackluster.

[@samspencer582]

This is the best American made war movie from WW2 and the only good one they have made ever.

[@petermatthewnewman6120]

Yeah first battle for the Yanks, us Brits had been fighting since 1939