Letters from Iwo Jima
The battle of Iwo Jima seen through the eyes of the Japanese soldiers.
Overview
The story of the battle of Iwo Jima between the United States and Imperial Japan during World War II, as told from the perspective of the Japanese who fought it.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Released two years after Clint Eastwood's 'Flags of Our Fathers', which portrays the same event from an American perspective, both films offer a balanced portrayal of the Battle of Iwo Jima and its impact on both sides.
- Offers a unique perspective on the Battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese side, providing an engaging and thought-provoking narrative.
- Features powerful performances by its ensemble cast, particularly Ken Watanabe as General Tadamichi Kuribayashi.
- Explores complex themes such as honor, sacrifice, and the human cost of war, making it a poignant and emotionally resonant film.
- Closely follows historical events while showcasing the resilience and determination of the Japanese forces during this critical battle.
Fun Facts
- The movie was filmed in English with Japanese dialogue for authenticity, but was later dubbed into Japanese by the cast members themselves.
- Clint Eastwood had initially intended to make a single film covering the Battle of Iwo Jima from both American and Japanese perspectives, but decided to split it into two separate films due to budgetary constraints.
- The film uses traditional Japanese theatrical techniques such as Noh drama, Kabuki, and Bunraku puppetry to depict certain scenes.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"The battle of Iwo Jima seen through the eyes of the Japanese soldiers."
Italiano
IT
Title: Lettere da Iwo Jima
"La battaglia di Iwo Jima vista attraverso gli occhi dei soldati giapponesi."
Français
FR
Title: Lettres d'Iwo Jima
"L'histoire de la bataille d'Iwo Jima telle que l'ont vécue les soldats japonais."
Deutsch
DE
Title:
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Türkçe
TR
Title: Iwo Jima'dan Mektuplar
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suomi
FI
Title: Kirjeitä Iwo Jimalta
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Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
I was hoping it would entertain me as much as 'Flags of Our Fathers' had - and I'm pleased to say it did!
I'd say that aforementioned release pips this companion piece, but the difference in quality is virtually indistinguishable - both are very good films. Ken Watanabe, Kazunari Ninomiya and Ryo Kase all give excellent performances, I enjoyed that trio throughout 'Letters from Iwo Jima'.
It's really cool to see the Japanese point of view of the Battle of Iwo Jima, having previously seen the American view last time out. It's also pleasing that the film portrays this side of the story correctly and tells the tale in Japanese, despite being an all-American production. The film reportedly did well in Japan, which I guess confirms that it did a respectable job.
Oscar Awards
Wins
SOUND EDITING - 2006
Alan Robert Murray, Bub Asman
Nominations
DIRECTING - 2006
Clint Eastwood
BEST PICTURE - 2006
Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, Robert Lorenz
WRITING (Original Screenplay) - 2006
Iris Yamashita, Paul Haggis