War! What Is It Good For? Apparently, Extremely Compelling Films…

22. Letters from Iwo Jima

Image Source: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

In 2006, Clint Eastwood released two war movies. Flags of Our Fathers was a soggy story behind the iconic raising of the American flag at the battle of Iwo Jima. Letters from Iwo Jima, however, is Eastwood’s most ambitious modern offering as a director. Both of these epic features were shot back-to-back. Each explored 1945’s battle of Iwo Jima from opposing perspectives. Dominating proceedings is Ken Watanabe as Kuribayashi, a brilliant general harboring deeply conflicted views about the country he serves.