26 replies to this topic

[nutzbuster]

I thought I would start a thread to let everyone know about how good this movie was. If extremely well done, incredibly well acted, historically accurate war movies are something you can appreciate, then do not miss this. Go see it while it is still on a big screen.

It does have subtitles but the sentences are only like 10 words long and VERY easy to read.

But the story is just so good and so well told that you wont even care about a little reading. You'll latch on to the 2 main characters instantly and find yourself rooting for them to survive. The battles scenes, especially the way they show bombs falling, are extremely well done and most of the special effects are flawless.

But again...it's the telling of this story and the revealing of the WW2 Japanese soldiers mindset and culture that makes this film so incredibly interesting.

This is just a fantastic movie, based on actual letters and research and is not one to miss. It's been over a week now and some scenes still haunt me.

Go see this movie.

[digitalmonkey]

Is this the one Clint Eastwood shot at the same time as Flags of Our Fathers?

[SuitedAces21]

Is this the one Clint Eastwood shot at the same time as Flags of Our Fathers?

you betcha.

[sandwedge]

I thought Flags of Our Fathers was an awsome movie (made a thread about it that nobody responded to) . I don't keep up with what's going on in the movie world, so I didn't even know "Letters' was currently playing. Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to go see it today.

[Balloon guy]

Flags of our Fathers writer James Brady wrote a second book, Fly Boys. ( Not the same as the movie that came out at same time as FooF)

In Fly Boys he describes the Japanese military in very different terms then Clint.

He talks about their cannabalism, their brutality, and their fanatisism.

I think Clint did a bit of injustice to paint the Japanese military in a positive light with this movie, even though I agree that not all Japanese were evil. But many WWII vets are a little turned off by the failure to mention the atrocities committed by the same army as in the movie.

I haven't seen the movie yet, and I will, but I think if this were a puff piece about some Al Qeda members who just wanted to do what they was right and go home to their families afterwards the majority of people would be as offended as the WWII vets are. Even though there are probably some heart breaking stories from the Al Qeda perspective too.


Not trying to be argumentative about the movie, CLint does make good films, but I thought the perspective is interesting from the WWII vets side.

[digitalmonkey]

Flags of our Fathers writer James Brady wrote a second book, Fly Boys. ( Not the same as the movie that came out at same time as FooF)

In Fly Boys he describes the Japanese military in very different terms then Clint.

He talks about their cannabalism, their brutality, and their fanatisism.

I think Clint did a bit of injustice to paint the Japanese military in a positive light with this movie, even though I agree that not all Japanese were evil. But many WWII vets are a little turned off by the failure to mention the atrocities committed by the same army as in the movie.

I haven't seen the movie yet, and I will, but I think if this were a puff piece about some Al Qeda members who just wanted to do what they was right and go home to their families afterwards the majority of people would be as offended as the WWII vets are. Even though there are probably some heart breaking stories from the Al Qeda perspective too.
Not trying to be argumentative about the movie, CLint does make good films, but I thought the perspective is interesting from the WWII vets side.

I'm certain Clint left out atrocities committed by the US Army also.

[sandwedge]

During the Flags of Our Fathers movie, I was wondering how Clint would handle the torture that happened to the medic's friend that disappeared (described in the book - cut off his penis and shoved it down his throat). I was dissapointed that this detail was left to the viewer's imigination - not that I wanted to see an image of it, but I felt it should have been stated in the dialogue somehow. Overall though, I thought it was an excelent depiction of what these guys went through.

Going to see Letters in a couple of hours. I hope it isn't a "puff piece".

edit: Balloon Guy, do you have links to WWII vets responses to the movie? I would very much like to hear their opinions.

[Balloon guy]

During the Flags of Our Fathers movie, I was wondering how Clint would handle the torture that happened to the medic's friend that disappeared (described in the book - cut off his penis and shoved it down his throat). I was dissapointed that this detail was left to the viewer's imigination - not that I wanted to see an image of it, but I felt it should have been stated in the dialogue somehow. Overall though, I thought it was an excelent depiction of what these guys went through.

Going to see Letters in a couple of hours. I hope it isn't a "puff piece".

edit: Balloon Guy, do you have links to WWII vets responses to the movie? I would very much like to hear their opinions.

I'm a talk radio junky and I heard about these from more than one radio show. I didn't want to try to say the movie was bad or that Clint had an agenda, just that if you know the whole story, it's not so easy to allow someone to show only one side. But then again it's a movie and there's nothing wrong with escaping into a good movie without bringing the politics of the world with you.

I will go see it, and probably enjoy it, but I respect vets and always assume that their side is the most important one.

Plus I hate the Japanese, but maybe that's just me.

sw



Edit: Here's a good discussion about this topic that I found after you asked. Goeas along the lines of what I was saying:

http://www.history-forums.com/forum/viewto...1116b1c40e69c59

[sandwedge]

Thanks for the link, BG. I'll look through it later tonight, after the movies and then some live poker.

It's interesting that you mentioned Al Queda earlier, as I see a lot of similarities between our current situation in the Mid-East and our war with Japan. I'll bore (and probably offend) everyone with a long explanation later.

[Evgeny Davydov]

I'm a talk radio junky and I heard about these from more than one radio show. I didn't want to try to say the movie was bad or that Clint had an agenda, just that if you know the whole story, it's not so easy to allow someone to show only one side. But then again it's a movie and there's nothing wrong with escaping into a good movie without bringing the politics of the world with you.

I will go see it, and probably enjoy it, but I respect vets and always assume that their side is the most important one.

Plus I hate the Japanese, but maybe that's just me.

sw
Edit: Here's a good discussion about this topic that I found after you asked. Goeas along the lines of what I was saying:

http://www.history-forums.com/forum/viewto...1116b1c40e69c59

"It's not easy to allow someone to show you one side." How many war movies where the USA is shown as the good guys have to be made in order for us to see the other side?

"but I respect vets and always assume that their side is the most important one." No one is asking anyone to take sides.

"Plus I hate the Japanese, but maybe that's just me" The premise isn't Japan vs US. It's a human story where the individuals happen to be Japanese. No politics or any ideologies in the film.

People need to relax before cracking open their Patriot's Defense Handbook at the slightest sign of anything negative about the US.

If you do see this movie and find yourself liking the main character, it doesn't make you a bad American.

[digitalmonkey]

"It's not easy to allow someone to show you one side." How many war movies where the USA is shown as the good guys have to be made in order for us to see the other side?

"but I respect vets and always assume that their side is the most important one." No one is asking anyone to take sides.

"Plus I hate the Japanese, but maybe that's just me" The premise isn't Japan vs US. It's a human story where the individuals happen to be Japanese. No politics or any ideologies in the film.

People need to relax before cracking open their Patriot's Defense Handbook at the slightest sign of anything negative about the US.

If you do see this movie and find yourself liking the main character, it doesn't make you a bad American.

[Balloon guy]

"
If you do see this movie and find yourself liking the main character, it doesn't make you a bad American.

Good because after reading Mein Kamp I was feeling kind of sympathetic to the Nazi party, at least in regards to the Treaty of Versilles, but now I know that's okay, the fact that the nazis or the Japanese army committed atrocities that most people can't comprehend is just a little side note in history, let's all try to ignore it so we can let Hollywood rewrite history, and make some money doing it.
Study a little Russian propoganda films and you will understand why the camel shouldn't be allowed to get his nose under the tent walls.


Sorry, the Patriot's Defense Handbook is right on my desk within easy reach.


Sorry Nutz, didn't mean to get into a tuff with the others in your thread. I'll sit back and watch the movie before I post in here again. Man I get testy over stupid things sometimes,


okay all the time.

[digitalmonkey]

Good because after reading Mein Kamp I was feeling kind of sympathetic to the Nazi party, at least in regards to the Treaty of Versilles, but now I know that's okay, the fact that the nazis or the Japanese army committed atrocities that most people can't comprehend is just a little side note in history, let's all try to ignore it so we can let Hollywood rewrite history, and make some money doing it.
Study a little Russian propoganda films and you will understand why the camel shouldn't be allowed to get his nose under the tent walls.
Sorry, the Patriot's Defense Handbook is right on my desk within easy reach.
Sorry Nutz, didn't mean to get into a tuff with the others in your thread. I'll sit back and watch the movie before I post in here again. Man I get testy over stupid things sometimes,
okay all the time.

You completely missed the point,but...


You really think the US Army has been well-behaved throughout history don't you?

[Balloon guy]

You completely missed the point,but...
You really think the US Army has been well-behaved throughout history don't you?

Compared to the Japanese, we've been saints, no...we've been better than saints.

Compared to the Germans, we've been just saints.

Compared to the French, it's hard to compare because we usaully win and they never do.

Compared to the Russians, we've been saints

Compared to the Brits, we've had our shares of embarressments

Compared to 80% of the world's, our military is the most gentle, law abiding and respectful.


And to say that Hollywood hasn't shown the US in a bad light is silly.
Seen Platoon? Dances with Wolves? Full Metal Jacket? Siege? etc.etc.etc.

[digitalmonkey]

Compared to the Japanese, we've been saints, no...we've been better than saints.

Compared to the Germans, we've been just saints.

Compared to the French, it's hard to compare because we usaully win and they never do.

Compared to the Russians, we've been saints

Compared to the Brits, we've had our shares of embarressments

Compared to 80% of the world's, our military is the most gentle, law abiding and respectful.
And to say that Hollywood hasn't shown the US in a bad light is silly.
Seen Platoon? Dances with Wolves? Full Metal Jacket? Siege? etc.etc.etc.

I didn't say this, but if it supports your stance be my guest.

You are ignorant.

[Evgeny Davydov]

Good because after reading Mein Kamp I was feeling kind of sympathetic to the Nazi party, at least in regards to the Treaty of Versilles, but now I know that's okay, the fact that the nazis or the Japanese army committed atrocities that most people can't comprehend is just a little side note in history, let's all try to ignore it so we can let Hollywood rewrite history, and make some money doing it.
Study a little Russian propoganda films and you will understand why the camel shouldn't be allowed to get his nose under the tent walls.
Sorry, the Patriot's Defense Handbook is right on my desk within easy reach.
Sorry Nutz, didn't mean to get into a tuff with the others in your thread. I'll sit back and watch the movie before I post in here again. Man I get testy over stupid things sometimes,
okay all the time.

" the fact that the nazis or the Japanese army committed atrocities that most people can't comprehend is just a little side note in history" I think most people are able to comprehend it. I also believe most people are able to comprehend that atrocities committed in war are not a German, Japanese, Swedish or American trait. It's a human one.

"let's all try to ignore it so we can let Hollywood rewrite history, and make some money doing it." No facts in Letters were changed or even massaged to try and fool the viewer into believing something that wasn't accurate.

"Study a little Russian propoganda films and you will understand why the camel shouldn't be allowed to get his nose under the tent walls." Propaganda films can be a huge tool of influence on the masses, there is no doubt. However there's probably more Japanese propaganda in The Karate Kid than Letters.

"Sorry, the Patriot's Defense Handbook is right on my desk within easy reach." Good for you. It's noble to use it when speaking out on important issues. You should find one.


"I'll sit back and watch the movie before I post in here again." A good idea.

[sandwedge]

" the fact that the nazis or the Japanese army committed atrocities that most people can't comprehend is just a little side note in history" I think most people are able to comprehend it. I also believe most people are able to comprehend that atrocities committed in war are not a German, Japanese, Swedish or American trait. It's a human one.

"let's all try to ignore it so we can let Hollywood rewrite history, and make some money doing it." No facts in Letters were changed or even massaged to try and fool the viewer into believing something that wasn't accurate.

"Study a little Russian propoganda films and you will understand why the camel shouldn't be allowed to get his nose under the tent walls." Propaganda films can be a huge tool of influence on the masses, there is no doubt. However there's probably more Japanese propaganda in The Karate Kid than Letters.

"Sorry, the Patriot's Defense Handbook is right on my desk within easy reach." Good for you. It's noble to use it when speaking out on important issues. You should find one.
"I'll sit back and watch the movie before I post in here again." A good idea.

"I think most people are able to comprehend it. I also believe most people are able to comprehend that atrocities committed in war are not a German, Japanese, Swedish or American trait. It's a human one."

While I agree with you that atrocities committed in war are a human trait, I feel you are downplaying the extent to which the Japanese committed atrocities. And as for Germany, I hear the voices of six million jews disagreeing with you.



"No facts in Letters were changed or even massaged to try and fool the viewer into believing something that wasn't accurate. "


Facts changed? -- probably not.
Massaged? -- Yes. I'm sure the ratio of captive Americans being treated hamanely vs being tortured during the battle of Iwo Jima was not 1:1.


So, I saw the movie. While I thought it was a good movie, I didn't find it as heartwrenching as Flags of Our Fathers. I also thought it was a good attempt at saying that in war, there are good humans on both sides. I'm sure that, like the Americans, there were many soldiers that would much rather be at home with their families. I thought the movie did a pretty good job of describing the Japanese culture which led to their fanaticism.

Overall though, I thought the movie was soft on the atrocities committed by the Japanese, and in general on the overall fanaticism of their troops.

Oddly, I didn't find myself rooting for the main characters to live, although I felt it a shame that they may die.

[princeof56k]

But then again it's a movie and there's nothing wrong with escaping into a good movie without bringing the politics of the world with you.

I happy to see someone mention this.

[digitalmonkey]

"I think most people are able to comprehend it. I also believe most people are able to comprehend that atrocities committed in war are not a German, Japanese, Swedish or American trait. It's a human one."

While I agree with you that atrocities committed in war are a human trait, I feel you are downplaying the extent to which the Japanese committed atrocities. And as for Germany, I hear the voices of six million jews disagreeing with you.

You are missing the point.

Someone like Jeffery Dahmer didn't kill and canibalize because he was an American. He did it because he was a fucked up individual; he just happened to be an American.

As a boy Hitler was whipped on an almost daily basis by his father. This, most likely, has more to do with his behaviour as an adult than the fact that he was German; especially when you consider that he was born in Austria.

[Mercury69]

It is an excellent film and quite deserving of Best Picture. For me it's the best of the five, but only because it tells it's story in a more concise way. The Departed was waaaay too long (still highly enjoyable) and Babel tried to force the idea of cohesion between it's story arcs a bit too much. Little Miss Sunshine was better than I expected, but I'll guess that a lot of people didn't catch on that it was far more than a quirky family comedy. The Queen was excellent, but it's British, so it'll lose points for being as good as it is.

My personal Best Picture choices, in order of who I think should get the statue (does not include picutres not nominated...):

Letters From Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
The Departed
Babel
The Queen