Product ReviewsFlags of Our Fathers (DVD, 2007, Full Screen Version)

Flags of Our Fathers (DVD, 2007, Full Screen Version)

In 1945, the Marines attack twelve thousand Japaneses protecting the twenty square kilometers of the sacred Iwo Jima island in a very violent battle. When they reach the Mount Suribachi and six soldiers raise their flag on the top, the picture become a symbol in a post Great Depression America. The government brings the three survivors to America to raise funds of war, bringing hope to desolated people, and making the three men heroes of war. However, the traumatized trio has difficulties to deal with the image build by their superiors, sharing the heroism with their mates. Clint Eastwood paints a thought provoking piece on heroism and war-propaganda. This movie tells three stories: first it is the WW II battle of Iwo Jima where thousands of soldiers (Japanese and American) died 'conquering' that island. Some of the movie is graphically violent and shows the dark side of war, and the effects war has on our returning soldiers. The story is realistic and very compelling by not glorifying war.Read full review...

The Good and the Bad of War

You see the valor of our young men struggle against all odds and over come. You also see why we are to hate war and how it can destroy even after the advent of peace. The high points of history seem to be very well displayed as a well laid out lesson plan. The characters and the movie props were excellent. I was completely drawn into the story. You quickly learn to respect all veterans after watching this excellent piece of Hollywood film.Read full review...

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Why Can't We Have Heroes?

I did find this movie entertaining at times, but there is a whole list of problems, both artistic and philosophic, I have with this movie. You see, though the director tried to make the film seem fuller by constantly flashing backward, forward, sideways, and kitty-corner, all it served to do was make the viewer frustrated with the short-attention-span MTV video style of storytelling. There was no resonance - I did not become invested in the characters' lives, and I couldn't have cared less what happened to them if they were fictional, as they were all portrayed as 2-dimensional cardboard cutouts (the alcoholic Indian, the man exploiting his temporary fame, the manipulative political fundraiser, etc.).

Not only would a more linear narrative have been appreciated, but I could have done without the constant bludgeoning with themes and symbols. If I heard one more person say "what is a hero," "I'm not a hero, _____ is," or even "why do we need heroes," I very likely would have thrown something through the screen. Moreover, I take issue with any film that blatantly points out its own symbolism. It's as if the filmmakers think the audience has the perspicacity of a developmentally disabled four year old! For instance, zooming in on the strawberry sauce being poured over the ice cream sculpture of the flag raisers, then hovering there as the medic stared in horror was just as good as installing a neon light flashing the words, "Dear idiot audience, this is important - write it down and have someone smarter explain it later!"

Needless to say, this movie insults your intelligence as a viewer.

Furthermore, I'm not sure if the late introduction of the interviewer as Doc's son was supposed to be a surprise, or if they just failed to mention earlier that this guy was interviewing people to write a biography. Normally when you use the frame story method, you give people at least some idea why.

There is more, including ridiculously bad acting by several integral characters, and sub-par editing and direction, but I will stop while I can still bear writing about this film. It might not have been the worst WWII movie I've seen, but my expectations were quite high, seeing as this Was an Eastwood/Spielberg production, and I loved their respective previous efforts.

But this movie will never touch Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, Tora! Tora! Tora!, or any of the other classics. It is a fine rental, but that's about it.Read full review...

IS THIS MOVIE RIGHT TO BUY OR RENT?

This movie is set in WW2, it tell about soilers life in a battle. When the news-paper came out in the USA the people was reading it and saw the soilers putting up flag of the US it give them hope. The US people want to find out whos those soilers are riseing the flag. After they have found those soilers, the people think they are the heros in the war! But those soilers don't think so because only try to stay alive in the battle.

This is a trust warfare and soilers has to fight for their country , buy they die for each other in a battle feild.

I think this movie is a very good drama movie, it try to tell the true means of a HERO in real life. A hero mean to me is ( that person will fight for you and die for you by trying, that is the true means of a hero to me )

What is the true means of a hero to you? if you know!!!

You have to see this movie it is will done and tell about the real life of a soilers that is in a battle and their friendships with each other!!!

This movie is a Great to buy if you have the movie. it cost about $20-$15 dallor right now. but just like the other movies the price will go down in a few months..Read full review...

Good war movie

A very good and interesting movie about the 1945 battle of Iwo Jima and the five Marines and one Navy corpsman who were involved in raising the flag on Iwo Jima and the after effects of that event on their lives.Read full review...

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Good story

True story

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Great Movie....Eastwood Directed..

This is a Clint Eastwood product.....you know his work.....so get off yer backside and watch it...

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Great true movie

Great acting and very entertaining. The men that experienced this flag raising were true honest to god hero's.

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Goodfor a rainy afternoon

LOUD war scenes

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Great Movie

Great Value
Enjoyed the movie.

thank you

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