Flags of Our Fathers

*** Stars

This is a three out of four star rating on a Clint Eastwood scale; meaning that this is not Eastwood's greatest work, but still better than most historical films you'll see. Eastwood is a master of his craft adding another somewhat well-worthy edition to his already brimming collection.

This is a study of war and its aftermath. The 1945 painfully hematic battle on Iwo Jima (a volcanic island of Japan) left 6,800 Americans dead and thousands more injured. Five days into the battle, a few men are ordered to raise a flag on top of Iwo Jima not to claim victory (the battle continued for 35 more days) but to give the troops a necessary morale boost. This flag was actually taken down to give to the men who conquered the island and an alternate flag was raised by six men, which was photographed and documented. It became an American symbol. Joe "Doc" Bradley (Ryan Philippe), Ira Hayes (Adam Beach), and Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford), the three surviving men of the photograph were allowed (basically ordered) back to America as heroes. Eastwood, through a series a flashbacks, shows these three young men fighting notorious battles, dealings with the media, visiting the President, and campaigning for donations towards the war.

The story behind the famous picture of Iwo Jima is frightening, disturbing, and realistic. These "heroes" were forced into a situation they had no control over. This picture was never staged (although there were rumors that it was fabricated) and never intended for medial coverage. It was a moment in time that will forever be stilled in many American hearts and Eastwood captures this well. His respect shines for this subject and his passion is clear. He will show more in 2007 with the Japanese side of the story with Letters from Iwo Jima.

Although the story concludes nicely, it is filled with some entangled flashbacks. It seems that too many stories are trying to be told here. From Joe's son retelling his father’s experience, to the effects of war, it can be overwhelming. However, don't let that stop you from seeing Eastwood's vision of an extremely important story. Flags of Our Fathers is a re-account of a landmark event. To bad the film itself was not a landmark .