Film Review

09 January 2009 02:37 BST

Flags of Our Fathers

Directed by Clint Eastwood, out December 22nd in cinemas, starring Ryan Phillippe, Jamie Bell and Adam Beach running time 132 minutes.

In a nutshell…

Powerful, draining, thought-provoking, moving and dramatic.

What's it all about?

In 1945, American troops fought in the battle of Iwo Jime and produced one of the most iconic images of the second world war: the photo of marines raising the star-spangled banner over the island's blackened mountain. The image was regarded as a propaganda coup by the US government and the "heroes" pictured raising the flag were quickly drafted in to sell war bonds.

However, two sets of "heroes" in fact raised the flag, with the retake underscoring the picture's lack of authenticity from the onset. Moreover, while the image was seen as a sign of victory back in the US, the battle in fact continued for more than a month, with many of the men pictured dying in the process.

Based on the book by one of their sons, Flags of Our Fathers retells the life stories of three of the marines from the second photo, exploring how they struggled to cope with their hero status and revealing how the first unit was erased from military history.

Who's in it?

Flags of Our Fathers is notable for its largely unknown cast. Ryan Phillippe adds the Hollywood touch, cast as John "Doc" Bradley - whose son James Bradley wrote the book on which the film is based. Viewers will also recognise Jamie Bell - of Billy Elliott fame – as Iggy.

The rest of the cast lack big name appeal, but make up for it in talent. Adam Beach stars as Ira Hayes and has already been nominated for awards for his portrayal of the Native American marine failed by the military. Viewers should also look out for Melanie Lynskey, previously seen in Heavenly Creatures.

As an example…

James Bradley in voiceover: "Heroes are something we create, something we need. It's a way for us to understand what is almost incomprehensible…but for my dad and these men the risks they took, the wounds they suffered, they did that for their buddies, they may have fought for there country but they died for there friends."

Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars

Good. Clint Eastwood has been nominated for a Golden Globe for best director and the globes normally stand as a good predictor for Oscars' night, although whether Eastwood would win again so soon after Million Dollar Baby is questionable. War movies tend to do well in the technical categories, so it could see itself picking up some nominations for editing. In a strong year it is, however, likely to miss out on a potential nomination for best adapted screenplay.

What the others say

"Not as emotional as Million Dollar Baby, nor as astounding as Saving Private Ryan, but Eastwood remains the most astringent American filmmaker around," - Empire: Four stars.

"On target for awards, but Eastwood's epic is repetitive and occasionally trite," - Total Film: Two stars

So is it any good?

At first it is tempting to wonder what Eastwood was trying to achieve in making this film. War movies, especially on the second world war, have been done to death and for a while it seemed likely that last year's battle-free Jarhead had finally closed the genre. Instead Eastwood has remade the Hollywood war movie circa Saving Private Ryan, but with a healthy dose of post-Iraq cynicism. Flags of Our Fathers fails to really say anything new about war, although it thinks that it is being very perceptive about propaganda and the construction of heroes.

However, Eastwood has succeeded in directing an extremely moving epic. As befits a man who cut his teeth in Westerns, he does not mawkishly wring the sentimentality out of his audience but instead has created a genuinely painful and emotive film.

The volcanic backdrop of Iwo Jima and Eastwood's careful direction make for a beautifully shot feature, while the screenplay is well written and engaging. Lacking the flag waving sentiment that many may have expected, Flags of Our Fathers bombed in the US but it would be unjustified if it does the same here.

6.5/10


Kate Webb

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