Flags Of Our Fathers

Flags of Our Fathers is about the five Marines and one sailor raising an American flag on Mount Suribachi and the Battle of Iwo Jima. The movie is based on the book of the same name written by James Bradley and Ron Powers.

The movie begins with James Bradley (Thomas McCarthy) wanting to know more information about his father John "Doc" Bradley, (Ryan Phillippe) and his service in World War II. James knew that his father was the sailor that help raised the American flag in that famous photograph. When Doc was alive he refused to speak or answer questions about the war. It was only when Doc passed away that James discovered looking through Doc's old things that his father was a hero and found Doc's Navy Cross for valor.

James started seeking out veterans of Iwo Jima and finding more information about the other five men in the photograph. The five other men in the photograph were Marine Sergeant Mike Strank (Barry Pepper) from Western Pennsylvania, Marine Corporal Harlon Block (Benjamin Walker) from South Texas, Marine Private First Class Ira Hayes (Adam Beach) an Arizona Native American, Marine Private First Class Franklin Sousley (Joseph Cross) from Kentucky, and Marine Private First Class Rene Gagnon (Jesse Bradford) of New Hampshire.

James learned quickly that the photograph was very misleading to the public. The flag was actually the second flag that was placed on the mountain and it was placed on the mountain on the 5th day of a 35 day battle. James also learned that half of the men shown in the photograph died on Iwo Jima. The only survivors were Doc Bradley, Ira Hayes & Rene Gagnon. The photo that was taken by Joe Rosenthal and it could provide the armed forces with the push they needed to get through the rest of the war. Once the parties were identified Hayes, Gagnon and Doc were brought back to the States on a tour to promote the war. There was some confusion in the beginning on who actually the men were in the photograph because we can not seen any of there faces. Sgt. Hank Hansen was originally thought to be one of the men in the photograph. Hansen died on Iwo Jima and he was in the group that raised the first flag. Navy Secretary James Forrestal requested that the flag be sent to Washington as a souvenir so the first flag was taken down. Hank's mother was invited to all the celebrations and festivities. It wasn't until 18 months later when they acknowledged that it was Harlon Block in the photograph.

This movie was very powerful and very informative. Clint Eastwood wanted to tell the story of the American side of this battle and I thought he did a wonderful job. There were some rather graphic war scenes (not as bad as Saving Private Ryan). There was so much emotion that went into making this film. I was never aware of the implications and demons that the surviving three had to face when they got home. I give this movie an 8 out of 10.