Flags of Our Fathers

[temujin77]

Have you guys seen Flags of Our Fathers yet? I don't want to ruin it all, but I do have several things I want to share...

1. Those of you who read my book review of this work of Bradley's know I gave it a rather harsh one. It was a good book, but it had so much hyperbole that the whole thing was just over-dramatized. That characteristic, I suppose, worked well on the big screen. There were a few powerful moments in the film where I got a bit teary eyed, and I would imagine vets and vets' families would feel it in their hearts.

2. The order of presentation was changed from the book to the film. The book flowed mostly chronologically, but the movie used A LOT of flashbacks and it was a little disorienting.

3. The use of a couple of type-casted actors isn't so bad, because they're good at playing military men. However, it's wierd when you recognize them in movies about the European War. I almost want to ask myself "shouldn't he be taking care of men in Easy Company instead of leading Marines on Iwo Jima?"

4. Special effects are never a primary concern to me, but they're nevertheless important in this entertainment medium. I'll tell ya, the naval bombardment scene was pretty damn cool!

5. Finally, the movie didn't tell you how Iggy died. If you're interested, read the book, but be forewarned that it isn't pretty. At the end of the move the movie had John Bradley say he hadn't thought of Iggy for years. That's purely fictional. James Bradley made it clear in the book that over the years, his father never forgave the Japanese for what they did to Iggy for his entire life.

I hope I didn't ruin too much of the movie for those who hasn't seen it...

[Whiterook]

I started to watch it, but it lost me as it was pretty late. I was given the book from a friend at work, and started to read it on a business trip filght home, but it stayed in my carryon unread thereafter. Not sure why, but I just can't seem to commit to it yet.

[Pylon1357]

I finally saw this movie a few weeks ago. To tell the truth, I don't really recall much about it. As a Canadian, I tend to look for Commonwealth movies as IMO the Amaerican movies seem to dominate the screen.

I did however learn a few things, I probably already should have known that the "Famous" Flag raising photo was not the original flag, but done later.

I do recall it being a little difficult to follow in regards to the flashbacks, but I have always had trouble with flashbacks.

Having said all this, I think it would be a great movie to watch again.

[vitara]

for a man that had been in as menny films as that to direct a film like flags of our fathers
is a crime a little puff of smoke and a lighted match for the ships guns going off
what next more rubber bayonets
krieg