FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS

This is one movie with many contrasting themes. I was gripped by the scenes of war depicted; although graphic at most times, it was all in all a movie that challenged the conventions we hold dear about the Second World War. As a journalist in training I am challenged by the role of the media and how it sang to the tune that the U.S. government played.

The movie looks at the lives of three survivors of six Iwo Jima flag raisers. It all focuses on a photo that was taken at the moment that the men were raising a flag on a hill on Iwo Jima. Their names were Ira Hayes, John 'Doc' Bradley and Rene Gagnon (played Jesse Bradford of Bring it On fame). As they were called to tour the States to raise War bonds, they questioned their honor as heroes. The world famous photo was printed at a time when America’s public opinion swayed against the war effort. The government was desperate to raise enough funds to further the war.

In all honesty I do not agree with the way those men were flaunted as heroes of a war that they never got a chance to truly fight for. I do, however, applaud Clint Eastwood for undertaking this movie and also to Steven Spielberg for producing it; the graphics were amazing and at times breathtaking – seeing all those guns and canons firing on a mountain. Truly amazing. Major kudos goes to the script writers and actors for an amazing screen play.