Iwo Jima

Recently purchased 2 dvds from Gramphone - Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima.

Both films were directed by Clint Eastwood and were meant to be complementary films as they both revolve around the 35 days battle of Iwo Jima during WWII, one from the perception of americans and the other from the japanese.
It shows how different reality can be when it is viewed thru different people of differing mindsets. Even within the americans and japanese themselves, their views can differ greatly.

More importantly, the 2 films presented the frontline soldiers in most down to earth manner; they did not think of themselves as heroes. Both the americans and japanese alike, most of what they wanted was to stay alive, to make it home to their families if ever possible.

Nothing heoric about the main cast of both films and this is what made it truly compelling and moving, more real life than reel life. =)