HTF Review: Flags of our Fathers

Studio: Paramount Home Video
Rated: R
Aspect Ratios: 2.35:1
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, 2.0 Stereo.
Subtitles: English
Time: 132 minutes
Disc Formats: 1 DVD-9
Theatrical Release: 2006
DVD Release Date: February 6, 2007

“Flags of our Fathers” recounts the story and controversy surrounding the iconic photograph from Iwo Jima that reinvigorated the nation at the tail end of the Second World War. You know the photograph: it served as the inspiration for the USMC war memorial in Washington, DC. The picture is iconic; the story behind it is mythic. Director Clint Eastwood here attempts to tell the story in a way that demystifies how we as a society construct heroes.

A line early in the film summarizes this film’s intentions perfectly. The photographer, upon reflecting on his creation, recognized that there are truly no heroes in war, there is only the perception of a hero. That hero is then used by the people in power to advance an agenda. To an extent, then, this movie is about the breaking down what makes a hero and how we treat them by following reluctant heroes who are merely media creations.

While I adored the ideas presented in “Flags of our Fathers,” as a film I found it lacking. The primary problem resides in the lack of a distinct narrative position. The movie bounces around in time without any logic. There are no flashback markers, and the audience is forced to figure out what is going on their own. While this does aid in the filmmaker’s purpose of breaking down the rhetorical power of the hero, it makes for a confusing, disengaging movie.

At only a few points did I ever care about the soldiers featured in the picture. While I understand that Eastwood didn’t want to idealize these characters or their families, what resulted was a movie without any pathos. Ryan Philippe’s “Doc,” just like every other soldier on the island, was merely trying to survive. While this is an accurate portrayal of the hell that is war, it doesn’t make for a particularly engaging film.

The pieces, in this case, are unfortunately far greater than the final product. The design and cinematography are beautiful. The cast of the movie is stacked with extraordinary talent, familiar faces to war-film fans like Neal McDonough and Barry Pepper, plus Paul Walker and Robert Patrick. Each man is excellent in his role, however by acting authentic instead of to our expectations of the heroes of Iwo Jima, there is a distance created between the film and the audience.

Upon reflection, it sounds like I am completely down on “Flags.” I’m not. I do think the film has merits and is certainly a competently-constructed movie and recreation of history. It is worth your time, though don’t think for a moment It lives up to the standards set up by its predecessors like “Saving Private Ryan,” “Band of Brothers,” or even “Windtalkers.” Good, yes, but certainly not great.

Video:
The sepia style of the film benefits the movie’s nostalgic tone, however it makes judging the transfer difficult. I did notice some color shimmering during the foggy and smoky scenes, however everything seems relatively accurate. The visual effects, while they feel tacked-on to make the film appeal to the audience that is seeking only visceral thrills (and to keep this from turning into another contemplative “Thin Red Line”) look amazing. The transfer is spotless.

Audio:
The default audio track is a suitable Dolby Digital 5.1 mix that has excellent frequency response. If you’re expecting to feel like you’re mired in the battle for Iwo Jima, you shan’t be disappointed. The rears channels envelop the listener, while the bass pounds home the mortars gunfire. This track is an aural pleasure.

Extras:
Aside from some forced trailers, there are no extra features on this DVD set. It was disappointing for me because I was interested in the real history, and would have liked to see the details of this story expanded in a documentary. Hopefully when the inevitable box set comes out for both this and the companion “Letters from Iwo Jima,” we will be treated to such materials.

Overall:
While I think “Flags of our Fathers” is an interesting experiment in the demystification of the hero, it isn’t much of a traditional war movie. An interesting, true story, this film represents the darker side of war, exposing the politicking and the facetious nature of it all.

Re: HTF Review: Flags of our Fathers

Fair enough, Colin. But tell me: From whose position was this movie being told? The perspectives jump around without any sense of congruity. The movie starts with an old man falling down, followed by a younger man asking questions. But it is not like these are the recollections, because the audience is given access to things the soldiers who are telling the story never knew. The summary at the end from Doc's son proves to me that there was no heed given to the narrative position. Instead they inserted these bits to give the movie "perspective," and instead just made it confusing.

The story itself is pretty simple to follow, but it was poorly edited.

And no, I meant facetious (though one could argue that there isn't a humorous tone herein, I mean it with its "inappropriate" connotation). The comparison I make to Windtalkers is that it exposes a part of war that was generally kept quiet. That movie, unlike Flags, is pretty straight forward.

Re: HTF Review: Flags of our Fathers

I never said I was confused, instead I claimed the structure is confusing and illogical. I couldn't just shut off my brain and enjoy the film, instead I had to wade through the narrative.

Pointing out "SPR"'s romanticism is proper. I loved the cynical perspective this movie presents, because it was different. I just wish it were more accessible. But that's just my two cents. I've said my peace.