Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) R - 3½ Stars

In Japanese subtitles, based on the true story told through the Japanese soldiers eyes of the war at Iwo Jima and all the letters they found that were never mailed. Told from the perspective of two good friends.

In 1945, The Japanese forces, led by Lt. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe) held the island of Iwo Jima for 36 days at the end of WWII. His strategy was for his men to dig tunnels and deep foxholes waiting the Americans to attack. While the men held up in tunnels knowing they're in a war that can not be won, Nozaki (Yuki Matsuzaki) and Saigo (Kazunari Ninomiya) both watch the actions of their comrades while they write home to their loved ones. Towards the end, the men had to decide if they will embraced the notion of "Death Before Surrender" or become cowards and just escape and live to see another day.

Awards are numerous and include:

2006 - Letters from Iwo Jima - American Film Institute - Best Picture
2006 - Letters from Iwo Jima - San Diego Film Critics Association - Best Director
2006 - Letters from Iwo Jima - Golden Globe - Best Foreign Language Film

Warner Bros Pictures
Director: Clint Eastwood
Writer: Iris Yamashita
Producers: Steven Spielberg, Clint Eastwood, Robert Lorenz

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