Flags of Our Fathers (2006)

WARNING: Multiple viewings are required

War movies, haven't we watch them umpteen times? From the horror of Apocalypse Now to the D-Day of Saving Private Ryan, we've watched them all. So, what's new? Isn't it going to be the same? Bodies blown up, the lives-so-worthless scenes (think the opening sequence of Saving Private Ryan) and the 1001 ways soldiers die. Hold your guns soldiers, because Flags of Our Fathers is not your typical war movie.

This story traces back to World War 2 and evolves around the photograph that turns the war around: 6 marines erecting the USA flag atop Mount Suribachi. Upon seeing the impact of the picture, the remaining 3 marines who raised the flag then were recalled back to the States (the other 3 were killed). Their mission was to stir the patriotism of the citizens and in turn persuade them to buy more war bonds. Upon arrival, John "Doc" Bradley (Ryan Phillippe), Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford) and Ira Hayes (Adam Beach) were immediately named heroes of the war. They went 'on tour' around the country and soon were disillusioned and, to a certain extent, disgusted by the fanfare and the overwhelming attention on who raised the flag (except Gagnon that is). Just to use an anecdote to illustrate my point, the entire bond raising drive is almost like a PR campaign. The packaging of the heroes, the countless flag planting drills and the fabricated speech that they were forced to speak of. Meanwhile, the real heroes were back there on the island. Bleeding and dying for their country. Yet no one spoke of them. The real heroes were forgotten.

Instead of intense action throughout the movie, we get fragments of the war and some part of the bond raising drive. Flashbacks are used extensively by director, Clint Eastwood. His story plays around with time and sometimes it might get to you. You might need to be very alert to understand the movie and the point he is driving at. I especially took a liking for one quote in the movie, it goes like this: "They may have fought for their country but they died for their friends, for the man in front and for the man beside." Every man for himself does not apply here.

3.5
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