Clint Eastwood and Steven Spielberg have teamed up for a stunning and painful meditation on the true nature of war. But in "Letters From Iwo Jima," they tell the story of the famous 1945 Pacific Battle entirely from the Japanese perspective. The camera lens is sharply focused on the brutal reality of life in the trenches and tunnels for the doomed foot soldiers of the empire.
The story reveals uncommon humanity and depth in the Japanese draftees who are forced to do the fatal bidding of their generals and politicians. Those who face the terror of the front lines know the dark side of duty, honor and country that their distant leaders will never understand. Eastwood's sensitivity to the story and remarkable directing drew outstanding performances from a cast of excellent Japanese actors.
The battle scenes feature state-of-the-art special effects that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The grim reality of the soldiers' fate is presented in the most painful and honest terms. And yet, Eastwood finds ways to inject subtle hope and even humor into this terrible chapter in modern history. A remarkable film that is sure to get attention from the Academy.
