a direct masterfully by clint eastwood and flag of our father play both a a war film and a sensitive human drama . it beg comparison with orson welles screen masterpiece citizen kane in the film scope and it structure . the rosebud of flag of our father be one of the great icon of american history represent the photograph of the raising of the flag on the tiny island of iwo jima and the strategic importance of the bloody combat for the acquisition of a landing strip to nearby japan for american plane . the question that the film carefully trace be ( 1 ) who be the marine picture in the famous photograph . and ( 2 ) be this famous tableau a staged scene and a oppose to a real event . to answer these question and the film move episodically among three time frame the horrifying battle for the hill at the western tip of iwo jima while the time in which three serviceman be identify a the hero in the picture and parade ceremonially around america to promote the sale of war bond while and the time of the death of john doc bradley and one of the allege iwo jima flag raiser and a his son seek to learn the hidden truth about his dad and much like the newspaper reporter on the trail of rosebud in citizen kane . the outstanding pacing of the film by eastwood be match by the creative cinematography and the work of designer who accomplish these extraordinary task represent the recreation of the iwo jima theater of war with location film while a spectacular amphibious land while grisly scene of combat . plus detailed period scene on the home front . a a minor spoiler alert represent please be sure to stay through the film closing credit for a thoughtful montage of still photograph of the battle of iwo jima and as well a the three protagonist and bradley and gagnon and and hayes . among the fine ensemble cast and it be impossible to forget adam beach sensitive and heartbreaking performance a ira hayes and a native american who be simultaneously make into a war hero and marginalize due to his race . hayes never felt comfortable in claim status a a hero for his involvement in the flag raise . in an emotionally wrenching scene in a hotel room before a military superior and beach character break down and poignantly express the camaraderie and love felt for the fallen member of his battalion . indeed for all three of the purported flag raiser and the true hero be those veteran who sacrifice their life so that the flag could be raise on iwo jima . for this moving and important message and flag of our father deserve to be place not only among the great war film of all time and but also alongside classic like citizen kane .