February 23 - Flags of Our Fathers

Today’s movie is a combat film with a scene on February 23. I hope you will enjoy this film and watch it tonight.

FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS         

In late 1944, US marines train in Hawaii before sailing to Iwo Jima. After an easy landing, they take heavy casualties. They drive on Mount Surabachi. On February 23, 1945 they reach the top and raise a large flag, an act that is the basis for the iconic photo. [1:12:09 to 1:20:36] Many of those who participated in the photo are killed during the battle, leaving only John “Doc” Bradley, Ira Hayes and Rene Gagnon alive. After the battle Rene is asked who was in the photo and he names five men, including himself. He incorrectly identifies Harlon Block as Hank Hansen. Ira threatens to kill Rene if he identifies him as having been in the picture, but others identify Ira anyway. The three are sent off on a war bond drive. They decide not to correct the mistake about Harlon, as Hank’s mother was honored due to her son being in the photo. Ira has a hard time on the tour, often getting drunk. He hates being considered a hero, thinking those who were killed were the real heroes. After the war Ira can’t escape from the unwanted fame. He finally tells Harlon Block’s family he was actually in the photo, and later dies of exposure after a drunken night. Rene Gagnon becomes a high school janitor, while. ‘Doc’ Bradley runs a funeral home.

            An interesting film. The action part and after the war are both good in their own way. A companion film to Letters from Iwo Jima.

Bradley, James.  Flags of Our Fathers. New York; Bantam Books, 2000. This book at page 201 gives the date of the flag raising

Director - Clint Eastwood

Awards - Nominated for the Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing Oscars.

Running Time - 2 hours 7 minutes

Released - October 20, 2006

Starring -

Ryan Phillippe as John Bradley

Jesse Bradford as Rene Gagnon

Adam Beach as Ira Hayes

John Benjamin Hickey as Sergeant Keyes Beech

John Slattery as Bud Gerber

Barry Pepper as Sergeant Mike Strank

Copyright by Ivan Walters 2014.