i nod in agreement when it be mention a single photo take during combat have the power to make or break a war . at a time when the war chest be drain and the battle seem to be draw out longer than expect and you need public support to cough out fund and make donation to the manufacturing of arm . in the dying day of wwii and that photo you see above and give reason to galvanize the american public into make donation for that final push . now think abu graib . nuff say and on it adverse impact to the war machinery . for wwii movie and the pacific theatre have arguably few number of film make by the west and especially those whose focus be on the ground troop and as compare to the european theatre and and possibly could be due to the availability of locale and as well a budget and ( non ) permission to film at the actual place . the iwo jima here be a substitute backdrop and not the real iwo jima with black beach that you can see right after the end credit roll and a if in silent meditation of the soldier on both side who have give up their life fight for their cause . and the battle of iwo jima have it historical significance give it the first landing of allied troop on japanese soil and and one of the bloody yet with high casualty on both side . it also open up the american eye to the tenacity of the japanese troop and their relentless defence of the homeland from invasion and in a digital domain cgi create massive naval beach landing . those look for recreated battle scene will probably not be disappoint with the level of detail show in flag and like the weapon and and the infamous use of flamethrower to smoke out hidden troop in bunker . but this movie be not an all out action film . it not a macro look at how the ally secure their first foothold in japanese soil . rather and it take a very personal look at the survive men who hoist the american flag over a prominent knoll in iwo jima . while there be countless of version of the circumstance surround this lifting of a symbol and be it for morale boost purpose and or politics and or for abstract ideal like hope and the definitive version a recount in this story be actually quite ordinary and fuel by a mix of human desire for something monumental and as well a the listening to order to a t. tell in a non linear fashion with flashback and voiceovers and it be extremely difficult that you will be bore by the movie and unless your expectation have be set the wrong way . there be plenty of material and theme that the movie touch upon and although it can be argue that each doesn not necessarily have enough focus and issue like racism and prejudice . what make this film compelling be the story of the survivor and be whisk back to the state to be part of propaganda to raise fund . accuracy and accountability take the backseat against the hail of heroism and and it evolve very quickly into a medium circus . flags examine the life of those in the photo who survive the battle and their reluctance to be call hero and the demon that they face while on the battlefield and the constant reminder to kill or be kill and the lie they have to tell to sell and and their sense of morality sacrifice for the less of two evil . be soldier and they have to do listen to order and even if at the moment and it sound absurd ( i believe those who have be through service in the armed force will agree on this ) . it be the conflict and and the need to lie through their teeth and which make it all the more a sorrowful struggle and especially when you have to deny a fellow brother his moment of recognition and and deny his family the need for closure . and of course and we all know how fickle the press can be . on one hand they can praise you and on the other and someone always look at way to demean and cast doubt . flavour of the moment and potshot of controversy like whether the picture be stag and ring to mind that icon can never escape from the cynical eye . politician and rich businessmen and the military brass too be cast in none too positive light and a they get portray a men who like association with power and fame and and glory . clint eastwood again never cease to amaze me . here the star of spaghetti western and dirty harry himself and who have age but still show no sign of slow down . like fine wine and he have start to show his talent in the film he make and and award win critically acclaim one too . but what i be really pleasantly and thoroughly enjoy and be the score that he write for flag . it restrain and yet powerful and kept simple in instrument and yet never lack in grandeur . be a filmmaker be one thing and but have contribute to a highly effective score compliment the movie and be another . not many can do that . flag of our father be a must watch and and i be already eagerly anticipate the companion movie and with viewpoint from the japanese and fight the same war and in letter from iwo jima and and it should be equally powerful .