Flags of Our Fathers (DVD) > Reviews > Blood, Sweat and Tears... but worth it.

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Outstanding
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Great Film, Amazing story, wonderful acting
Disadvantages:	very graphic

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Please let me explain, I hate war films... I really think they just try and add some glamour to human suffering, I have to eat my words and say not in this case.
Directed by Clint Eastwood and Produced by Steven Spielburg, It not only looks at the home events but also the soldiers who fought on the beaches of Iwo Jima, a pivitol battle in the allies war against Japan.

Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers, approaches a difficult subject very well. In the case the enigmatic photo taken by Joe Rosenthal of 5 marines and a navy corpsman raising the american flag over the beaches of Iwo Jima.
Following the research by a son of one of the flag raisers, it follows their stories and life before, during and after the war and the politcal exploitation of the surviving soldiers. It brings into question the concept of war and heroism and as one of the soldiers says "you call me a hero, but all I was trying to do was avoid getting shot".

It's a film that will make you want to weep at the cruelty of war both for the Allied forces and the Japanese.
Be warned, this is an extremely graphic film, but honestly and thoughtfully done.

There are extras on this DVD, but I haven't been able to bring myself to view them yet, but I'm sure they will be as good as the film.
You may also be interested in the double setthe is available of this film and " letters from Iwo Jima", which shows the Japanese soldiers story. I plan to watch this next.

I hope this encourages you to watch this amazing and tragic film. It's well worth it.