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Clint Eastwood's _Letters from Iwo Jima_ Essay

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In 2006, a film directed by Clint Eastwood was released in theatres around the world titled Letters from Iwo Jima. Unlike most war movies that are produced for the American public, this film entirely captures the World War II battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of the enemy. For a rare change, Letters from Iwo Jima shows the cultural aspect and daily life the Japanese soldiers experienced during the war. Although the film was given many positive reviews and was noted as one of the best films of 2006, it still received mixed emotions from both the Japanese and American public. One of the main ideas of the film focuses on the idea that good and evil exist on both sides, and that although we share different ideas, thoughts, traditions, …show more content…

The Japanese soldiers went into battle knowing that they would be killed and they would not make it off the island. One of the most shameful acts for a Japanese soldier to do is surrender, and it was very common for the soldiers to commit suicide before turning themselves in to the enemy. To commit suicide and avoid capture of the enemy was considered noble and heroic in the Japanese military. In a way, the soldiers were brainwashed into doing anything for the emperor of Japan and were told over and over how glorious it is to die on the battlefield for their country. During the film, one Japanese soldier points out that Japan will win the war due to the fact that the Americans show too much sympathy and emotion for human life, and do not have the same desire and will that the Japanese have. One of the main themes presented in Letters from Iwo Jima is the idea that good and evil always exist on both sides. Much of the time, war films tend to show favor to one country, leaving the audience close-minded to what happens to the other side. One of the main characters followed in the film is the Japanese Commander of Iwo Jima, General Kuribayashi. Unlike any other Japanese Commander, Kuribayashi was very familiar with the American people and spent a good deal of time visiting the United States prior to the war. Despite the strict and abusive tactics used by the Japanese Generals to the lower ranking soldiers, Kuribayashi can best be

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