Flags of Our Fathers
Flags of our Fathers was the story of six men raising the American Flag at the highest peak of Iwo Jima. During WWII we had decided we wanted to take over this island from the Japenese to gain airfield bases. For example, if one of our planes was shot at and we were still able to fly it without crashing it.. we'd want to land somewhere safely, instead of flying for such long distances to another aircraft carrier. Taking over Iwo Jima was a very valuable ascit to us. The Japenese fought hard, there was NO doubt about that. We went in with 100,000 men, they fought with 20,000 men. They were told to fight until the last man was standing or commit suicide. The one thing they wanted to avoid was being captured. Throughout the entire island they had dug tunnels, and thats where they'd attack from. When we emerged on the beach, all the sudden flying bullets were flying through the air. We had no warning. They had taken us completley by suprise we didn't know right off hand where they were. So as were trying to pinpoint there location our men were dying.
The US had won the war. We had taken over everything, with just a hand full of Japanese men still standing. Throughout the rest of the movie it just kind of goes into the three men who survived the war, that rose the flag and what they went through after the war. Their was a picture taken that made history. This picture of our men, raising the American flag became famous. We had to put up two flags on that moutain. The first flag was taken down for a souvenier, there was no photo taken at that time. When we raised the second flag, the photo that went down in history was taken. Their was a mix up though, the same men that were involved in raising the first flag were said to be in the photo that was taken as well. That wasn't the case though. Three of the men that were involved in raising the flag the second time were different men than the first time the flag was raised. The other three men were killed during battle. The three that survived were known at heros. They hated that terminology because a hero isn't a hero until they've died for their country. The movie shows these men and the flashbacks they have after the war. These flashbacks show different parts of the war and what happened to them. It also shows their best friends dying right next to them.
Reflection:
I really enjoyed this movie. I felt it was one of the harder WWII movies to watch because the battle scenes were so real. I honestly felt I like I was there on the battle feild watching our men die. It shows you how sad and depressing war can be. I understand how war was needed back then, but I wish we could have found another approach instead of killing so many people. This movie really opens your eyes. The Japenese fought really hard they didn't just give in right away. They truley fought til the last man was standing. We fought hard as well. I think we need to use war as a last result in these situations, but I guess trying to communicate (talking) with enemy doesn't always work too well either. It's sad to think how many people died to keep us safe. I'm proud to have such an excellent army the United States has. It makes you feel protected.
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