When a photograph of six soldiers raising the American flag on the island of Iwo Jima becomes a symbol of hope for the American cause during the Second World War the three survivors are called heroes a label they struggle to cope with. Clint Eastwood has produced a powerful yet honest portrayal of war: the horror faced by the soldiers, and the bond and brotherhood that exist between them even when the war is over.And although the battle scenes on the Iwo Jima between the Americans and the Japanese are impressive and convey the sheer size of the fight and the horror that faced both sides it’s the personal fights of the individual soldiers that pack the greatest punch.And this can be found in the three lead characters and surviving members of the six who raised the flag: John Bradley (Phillippe), Ira Hayes a Native American (Beach) and Rene Gagnon (Bradford).The trio are taken away from the bloody fields of battle and back to America to capitalise on the resurgence in belief in the war by encouraging the American people to buy war bonds that will help fund the American campaign.What the American people didn't know at the time is that America was close to surrendering to the Japanese and the photograph gave those in power, and the American people hope for victory.
While Gagnon revels in the media spotlight Bradley and in particular Hayes struggles to cope with what they saw and those they had to leave behind.
Adam Beach’s performance is particularly strong as he tries to drink away the guilt of leaving his friends behind to fight as well as facing racism from the very people he fought to protect.
Eastwood successfully shows the emptiness behind the term ‘hero’ and how that word meant nothing to the men associated with it as they didn't see surviving the horrors they experienced as courageous.
But the term 'hero', and the experiences of these men was exploited by the media and the powers that be in America to raise money. Eastwood contrasted this beautifully with how quickly this trio were forgotten once they had served their purpose and the war was over.
The film doesn’t run chronologically instead it skips backwards and forwards from the battle on the island, to the war bond drive to the early 1990’s where Bradley’s son (who only found out about his fathers role in the raising of the flag after his death) is researching the battle of Iwo Jima for his book.
The flashbacks and the skipping back and forth may be a criticism for many, though actually it added to the idea that what those men experienced during the war stays with them forever and this is demonstrated at the beginning of the film when an elderly John Bradley wakes from a nightmare.
This is a hard hitting and harrowing account of war where the soldiers didn’t dream of honours or acclaim they merely fought for each other.
It is a film of courage and long lasting friendship, the bond of brotherhood that can only be obtained during a war. This movie which will stay with you long after watching it.
Helen Earnshaw
Flags Of Our Fathers is released 9 July.