Letters from Iwo Jima Film Review
analytical Essay
927 words
A genre of movie that many people enjoy seeing a war films, representations of past conflicts on the big screens of Hollywood. One film that really drives into the heart of what it was like to actually be in the Pacific Theater of war from the Axis perspective; Letters From Iwo Jima is a film the captivates its audience is an emotional story, while entertaining the action lovers with epic battle scenes.“I’ll always be in front of you.” One of the many memorable lines from the movie shows the bravery and courage that forced difficult battles. Just due to the fact that hardly no movies are made to represent what the Japanese or Germans felt or thought during the war; the hardships they endured and the difficult choices they had to make, made this one an absolute keeper. Letters From Iwo Jima, showing historical accuracy through setting, drama, costume, different moral stances, and the characters people encounter through the story; creates an amazing experience for the viewer and takes that person on a journey through the hardships at Iwo Jima.
In every movie one major factor that contributes to it is the setting of the movie; in this case hence the name, takes place in Iwo Jima, Japan. Director Clint Eastwood, asked permission from the Japanese government to sorta renovate the island; to use it for the “set” of his movie. This adds a level of realism to the movie, using the actual island in which the war was waged on adds a nice touch of authenticity. Continuing on, the defenses that were depicted in the movie ranged from a wide array, from bunkers to artillery encampments deep in the mountain sides, and even underground machine gun nests. The reason these are important is that it shows the strategy and tactics used by the Japanes...
... middle of paper ...
...ts and images from the armies of the time period, those descriptions are correct. One interesting thing portrayed in the movie is the use of netting on the helmet, now, why is this important? Conflicts in the pacific theater were often in bright, tropical locations, so what didn’t help the Japanese? The uniforms, so how do they fix this? With the netting, on the helmets, the netting provided a reducement of glare on the tan helmet, as well as allowing them to place flora (leaves mainly) into the netting to provide a more natural look and provide camouflage when hiding. Snipers were always a constant annoyance in the forests, this helped the Japanese immensely. Small details such as this really add to the immersion in the movie and keeps you entertained; but every story also needs a meaning, this movie has one that makes one realize how war can create false mindsets.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how letters from iwo jima captivates its audience by showing historical accuracy through setting, drama, costume, different moral stances, and the characters people encounter through the story.
- Analyzes how the setting of the movie, iwo jima, adds a level of authenticity and shows the strategy and tactics used by the japanese during this battle.
- Analyzes how japanese forces made iwo jima into a floating fortress, with artillery, machine guns, snipers, and spotters around every corner.
- Analyzes how the film portrays the actual uniforms both armies wore during the conflict. the use of netting on the helmets helped the japanese immensely.
Related
- explanatory
- analytical
- The Battle of Iwo Jimaexplanatory essayAfter the fall of Saipan, Imperial Japanese Army and Naval forces were deployed to the island of Iwo Jima; a very small island, approxim...
In this essay, the author
- Describes the battle of iwo jima as one of the fiercest and bloodiest battles fought during world war ii.
- Explains that the capture of saipan was strategically important for u.s. and allied forces, as it was logistically relevant due to its location from tokyo.
- Explains that after the fall of saipan, imperial japanese army and naval forces were deployed to the island of iwo jima.
- Explains that iwo jima's location was both tactical and strategically significant for the defense of mainland japan.
- Explains kuribayashi's strategy of fortifying iwo jima to repel u.s. and allied forces. instead of defending against a beach assault, he focused his defensive positions inward.
- Explains that u.s. leaders realized the significance of capturing the japanese controlled iwo jima, as it was located directly between tokyo and saipan.
- Explains that the joint intelligence center, pacific ocean areas (jicpoa) was tasked with providing intelligence support to the iwo jima operations.
- Explains that the jicpoa did not have seasoned intelligence analysts review the late photographs from the p-38 missions.
- Explains that the primary iwo jima intelligence report failed to mention the capabilities of the japanese and the numerous established fighting positions.
- Explains that u.s. aerial and naval assets conducted bombing operations against iwo jima in an attempt to soften the island’s defenses.
- Explains that u.s. naval assets began bombing the beaches of iwo jima, in an attempt to clear a path for the amphibious landing to follow.
- Explains that the first wave of 4th and 5th marine division sustained heavy losses, suffering over 2400 causalities, but the marines continued pushing forward.
- Describes how the 3rd, 4th, and 5th marine divisions continued their assault on the japanese elements deployed to iwo jima.
- Explains that the island was declared secure on 16 march, although organized japanese continued to resist for several weeks. major general james e. chaney, usa, assumed operational control of all u.s. units.
- States that after five weeks of unrelenting fighting, u.s. and allied forces were victorious; the japanese had lost iwo jima. both sides had sustained extremely high casualty rates.
- Explains that after the capture of iwo jima, u.s. leaders began scrutinizing the intelligence synchronization process involved with the battle.
- Explains that 19 february 1945 marked the beginning of one of the fiercest and bloodiest battles fought during world war ii.
1599 wordsRead More - The Battle of Iwo Jimaexplanatory essayThe attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941 by the Japanese signaled the start of Japanese military control throughout the Pacific and the start of World War II. June of 1942 the Japanese Navy is defeated at the Battle of Midway and it is considered by most to be the turning point of the war. The American military began a campaign of island hoping to take control of strategic islands in the south pacific. Even with the islands they had already controlled Americans knew if they wanted to win they would have to capture the entire island of Iwo Jima, including its three airfields, to provide an area for damaged bombers and other aircrafts. Iwo Jima is needed to save the lives of the Americans flying the B-29 bombers to help prevent losing more Americans in the dangerous Pacific Ocean. The decision was quickly made to attack and take the island of Iwo Jima, code named operation detachment. June 1944, Lieutenant General Tadamichi Kuribayashi was chosen as command of Iwo Jima (National Geographics). Kuribayashi had lived and trained in the United States so knew the only way to have a chance against the American’s superior fire power was to fight the battle from underground where they would be protected (Hickman). Iwo Jima was an important island for the Japanese because it provided an area of attack and functioned as a buffer zone for Americans attempting to bomb their homeland. Initial bombing raids against Iwo Jima began in June 1944 (Navy Department Library). The B-29’s and naval ships’ bombing destroyed ...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that iwo jima's black sand beaches are known worldwide by courageous fighting men and is home to one of the bloodiest battles of world war ii.
- Explains that the attack on pearl harbor signaled the beginning of japanese military control throughout the pacific and the start of world war ii.
- Describes how the marines hit beaches on d-day, capturing the quarry and isolating mount suribachi. kuribayashi held most of his forces in the central and northern thirds of the island.
- Explains that frontal assault is a hostile movement of forces toward the front of an enemy force, subjecting themselves to the maximum defensive power of the enemy.
829 wordsRead More - Iwo Jia Essayexplanatory essayIwo Jima, a Japanese island in the Pacific Ocean that is four and a half miles long and two and a half miles wide, lies only 660 miles south of the Japanese capital of Tokyo. Japan was aware that the United States was planning to attack them on the island of Iwo Jima for over a year before the attack actually happened, so they had some time to prepare. The man in charge of leading Japan’s forces and preparation on the island was General Tadamichi Kuribayashi. The Japanese military leaders and General Kuribayashi knew that the battle was out of reach before it even happened, but the Japanese forces weren’t going to let the island go without a fight, and General Kuribayashi’s preparation, fortification, and strategy for this battle were marvels in the history of warfare. The Japanese knew that the island would have to be heavily fortified and sizeable amou...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that world war ii was fought between two opposing military alliances, the allies and the axis, in the pacific ocean theatre.
- Explains that general tadamichi kuribayashi's preparation, fortification, and strategy for iwo jima were marvels in the history of warfare.
- Explains kuribayashi's unique way to defend the island, which required constructing caves, bunkers, and tunnels in and beneath the thick rock. the japanese also had over 1000 cave entrances and pill boxes.
- Describes how the united states used a tactic called "island hopping" to advance their control into japanese controlled areas. admiral chester nimitz planned the attack on iwo jima.
- Describes how the marines landed on the island on february 19, 1945, after heavy naval artillery bombardment of the japanese defenses. they encountered problems from the islands volcanic ash soil, which wasn’t suitable for digging foxholes to evade enemy heavy machinegun fire.
- Analyzes how the marines gained a foothold on the island, allowing armored vehicles and air support to be used more efficiently. the japanese still had the will to fight to the death, and with the advantages of the terrain and their system of tunnels they inflicted massive casualties.
- Explains how the marines changed tactics to catch the japanese troops off guard and allow the advancement of troops to continue. the final command post was shut down, and the final troops surrendered.
- Explains that the largest amphibious assault by marines in world war ii officially ended with a u.s. victory.
1118 wordsRead More - The Need for Continued Resilience of the American Peopleanalytical essayThe Need for The Continued Resilience of the American People during the Later Days of The War as Exemplified in MGM’s “They Were Expendable”.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the need for the continued resilience of the american people during the later days of world war ii as illustrated in mgm's "they were expendable".
- Analyzes how world war two was marketed to the civilians of every nation as a cataclysmic struggle requiring unprecedented public sacrifices and involvement.
- Analyzes how american film makers faced a new challenge as the war progressed and the axis nations began to retreat into their conquest. military success and industrial production were making fear-mongering ineffective.
- Explains that president roosevelt fought world war two as something that could only be resolved by the total, unconditional surrender of the axis nations.
- Explains that the most predominate source of information distribution was via newsreels and movies. movies were emphasized for this motivation.
- Explains that john ford's navy experience led to unparalleled in american film. his focus on themes steeped in tradition, the burden of command, and the rules of martial behavior would dominate his movies for the remainder of his career.
- Analyzes how with massive amounts of military support, it was now possible to make an ‘immersive’ movie that hammered home not the technical and diplomatic advantages of the american war effort in achieving success, but the tenacity and resilience of americans as they marched into certain death.
- Analyzes how mgm's "they were expendable" portrays the story of a pt boat squadron and crew in 1941’s philippine theater.
- Analyzes how the movie portrays the doomed pt squadron in relation to their real-life counterparts in the pacific during the early years of the war.
- Analyzes how the us navy's contribution to the war effort was nearly nil, aside from the heroic extrication of macarthur and his family (us naval history and heritage command).
- Explains that crew members from actual pt boats compared their wartime experiences as more lax than portrayed in "they were expendable".
- Explains that the survivors of the squadron were pressed into training and command roles throughout the navy. others faced captivity for years at the hands of barbarians or a long, difficult guerrilla war for those fortunate enough to escape the japanese.
- Analyzes how mts-3's men were tabula rasa war heroes who evacuated the general and potentially sank multiple enemy ships despite crippling handicaps. their struggle could be used as a challenge to recalcitrant americans.
- Analyzes how the film inspired a fresh sense of patriotism beyond the existing hatred of the japanese. it portrayed the doomed sailors as noble warriors who had been simply unlucky and so dedicated to duty.
- Analyzes the implication of the movie title "they were expendable" as justification for the sacrifices made by the unfortunates who were not deemed worthy of evacuation.
- Analyzes how "they were expendable" challenges americans on the home front. if the defenders of bataan could resolve to close out a doomed struggle with honor and nobility, then the duty of americans was to finish the fight and bring justice
- Analyzes how the motion picture industry affected the american war effort. the studios provided direction and positive propaganda that encouraged the participation of the masses in financing the war via bond purchases and continued rationing of goods and resources.
- Cites john ford, robert montgomery, ward bond, and john wayne's "they were expendable".
2031 wordsRead More - US and Japanese Strategy in the Battle of Iwo Jimaexplanatory essayThough their whole defense was based on the waves themselves. Sixty-eight Tracked Landing Vehicle, comprising the first wave, were to hit the beach. The armored amphibians would use their 75 mm howitzers and machine guns to the utmost in an attempt to keep the enemy down, thus giving some measure of protection to succeeding waves of Marines who were most vulnerable to enemy fire at the time they disembarked from their LVTs (Planning for the Battle of Iwo Jima, n.d.). The U.S. also had an alternate plan. Since the U.S. there would be a possibility of unfavorable surf conditions along the eastern beaches, VAC issued an alternative plan on 8 January 1945, which provided for a landing on the western beaches. However, since predominant northerly or northwesterly winds caused hazardous swells almost continuously along the southwest side of the island, it appeared unlikely that this alternative plan would be put into effect (Battle of Iwo Jima, n.d).
In this essay, the author
- Explains the battle – japan’s iwo jima strategy.
- Narrates the battle of iwo jima.
- Explains that the american forces plan consisted of a "divide and conquer" methodology. the 3rd, 4th, and 5th marine divisions were to land on the eastern beaches.
- Explains that gen. kuribayashi's defense strategy centered on inflicting casualties so severe that the u.s. would hesitate to attack the japanese mainland.
- Explains the iwo jima operation, february - march 1945, and the planning for the battle.
580 wordsRead More - Wake Islandanalytical essayInitially, Japanese strategists assumed that the tiny island would be overwhelmed in a matter of hours. However, they underestimated the fighting spirit of the military personnel and civilians stationed on the island. For sixteen days these brave men fought against overwhelming odds, but demonstrated both to the Japanese and to their fellow Americans back at home that the Americans could and would put up a courageous fight.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the japanese bombed pearl harbor on december 7, 1941, forcing america to officially enter world war ii. president franklin delano roosevelt declared war and declared that december 7 was a day that would live in infamy.
- Explains that wake island, located 2300 miles west of honolulu, was an unincorporated territory of the united states.
- Explains that the japanese bombing of the island began on december 7, 1941, and continued until december 23, when the americans were finally forced to surrender.
- Explains how japanese strategists underestimated the fighting spirit of the military personnel and civilians stationed on the island.
- Explains that pan american's facilities were destroyed during the first air raid, and ten civilian employees of the airline were killed. the japanese used pattern bombing to damage practically every installation on the island.
- Explains that the marines' struggle to hold on to wake island came at a time when american installations in the pacific were being both attacked and captured.
- Describes how the japanese rounded up all of the civilians and enlisted men and forced them to march to the airfield.
- Describes how approximately 1200 american prisoners of war were loaded on board the japanese passenger ship, the nitta maru, for the twelve-day voyage to china.
- Explains that the japanese retained 98 of the civilians at wake to operate heavy equipment, but they were executed on october 7, 1943, when it was thought by their captors that they had been in radio contact with u.s. naval forces.
- Describes how the 1st cavalry division of the united states army liberated the prisoners in may 1945, 44 months after they were first captured.
- Explains that the japanese who remained on wake island after the americans' surrender endured hardships of their own. seven hundred japanese soldiers died due to the american bombing of the island, while another 1300 died from sickness and malnutrition.
- Explains that paramount pictures' wake island represented the first attempt by hollywood to accurately portray american troops in action. the film was shot entirely on location off of salton sea, in the california desert.
- Explains that the marine corps loaned six f4f-3’s to the film's crew, while five ryan scw’s were used to simulate the japanese asm “claude” fighters.
- Analyzes how the film did not use the real names of the men portrayed in it. major caton, played by brian donlevy, was major james patrick sinnott devereux's real life character while his wife died of diabetes.
- Analyzes how lieutenant cameron, portrayed by macdonald carey, was the real-life character of capt. henry t. elrod. he attacked a fleet of twenty-two japanese planes, shooting down two of them, and was awarded the congressional medal of honor.
- Analyzes how the fictional characters of smacksie randall (william bendix) and joe doyle (robert preston) add comic relief to an otherwise dismal situation.
- Opines that wake island is a fitting tribute to the soldiers and civilians who valiantly defended wake.
- Explains that the united states has maintained possession of wake island since its surrender by the japanese in 1945.
- Describes the names of those who fell at pearl harbor and served bravely at wake island. the american movies reference book: the sound era.
- Cites the encyclopedia of american war films, edited by larry langman and ed borg, and the idaho daily statesman.
1752 wordsRead More - The Truth About War Revealed in the Film, The Thin Red Lineanalytical essayTerrence Malick’s The Thin Red Line (1998) is a film that examines the Guadalcanal Battle of World War II, looking past the physical results of the violence, in order to uncover the deeper truths and ramifications of war. The film conveys themes and ideologies that are somewhat uncommon to war films, especially WW II films. In this dark, surreal, journey, Malick takes us inside the minds of soldiers experiencing this battle to capture a remote pacific island from the Japanese. We do not hear or see gruff, hardened soldiers, anxious to die for their country. In fact, there are no heroes in The Thin Red Line. There are only regular men, scared of fighting and scared of dying, who have been thrown into a situation that will forever change their lives. The fighting is not suspenseful or glorious just brutal. Using an ideological approach to the study of film, this paper will examine The Thin Red Line’s messages about the truths of war, and how it challenges our society’s stereotypical view of war as a valiant undertaking where brave men fighting for good battle the evil of the enemy. Consequently, the ideologies that are uncovered will then be used to look at The Thin Red Line as a war film, and how it fits and does not fit into the genre.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that terrence malick's the thin red line examines the guadalcanal battle of world war ii, looking beyond the physical results of the violence, to uncover the deeper truths and ramifications of war.
- Analyzes how the thin red line portrays war as a filthy, horrible, and emotionally destructive thing.
- Analyzes how malick shot the film with special emphasis on the nature of the island. the juxtaposition of beauty and violence is a vessel through wit and coomb comfort each other.
- Analyzes how the thin red line exposes the ironies involved in war, challenging the false ideas our society has come to accept as truths about war.
- Analyzes how the thin red line's themes contradict the social stereotypes of war. we accept war as a necessary evil and wrap it in superficial blankets to ease our conscience.
- Analyzes how jeanine basinger, author of the world war ii combat film, developed the pattern of hero saving a group in order to achieve the greater objective.
- Analyzes how the thin red line lacks a strictly organized plot structure, whereas most combat films, like the guadalcanal battle, have no time line of the battle.
- Analyzes how malick risks anticlimax to strip the battle scenes of generic functions that apotheosize a plot’s set-ups or generate frivolous suspense.
- Analyzes how the thin red line isn't about the battle for guadalcanal. the battle scenes are few and far between, and seem to be inserted only to remind us of the only slightly important historical setting.
- Analyzes how terrence malick's the thin red line challenges the social stereotypes and values that our society holds towards war. it presents ideals that value all human life, not just those fighting on our side.
- Explains basinger, jeanine, the world war ii combat film: anatomy of a genre.
- Cites cull, nicholas j., "the thin red line" (motion picture review). the american historical review.
- Describes kane, kathryn, visions of war: hollywood combat films of world war ii.
- Analyzes macnab's "the thin red line (motion picture review)" in sight & sound.
- Describes morrison, james, the thin red line (motion picture review).
2138 wordsRead More - The Battle Of Iwo Jimaexplanatory essayThe battle of Iwo Jima aka “Operation Detachment” was a hard fought battle that took place from February 19th to March 26th 1945. It was an extremely major battle in which the U.S. Armed Forces fought and eventually captured the Island of Iwo Jima from the Japanese Empire. The main goal of the assault was to capture 3 strategic airfields including South Field and Central Field to provide an area for the attacks on the Japanese main islands to be prepared and launched from. This grueling five week long struggle comprised some of the most intense, fiercest, and bloodiest fighting of the War in the Pacific of World War II. After such heavy losses were produced in the battle, the value and importance of the island became very controversial. It was useless to the Army as a staging base and useless to the Navy as a base for the fleet. The Imperial Japanese Army positions were locked down and heavily fortified, with an insane network of bunkers, hidden artillery positions and 18 kilometers (11 miles) of underground tunnels. The Americans on the ground were supported by an impressive force of naval artillery and dominated the air space of Iwo Jima from the start of the battle by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators. Iwo Jima was the only battle by the U.S Marine Corps in which the total American casualties (killed and wounded) topped those of Japanese Forces, even though Japanese combat deaths were thrice those of the Americans during and after the battle. Of all the 22,000 Japanese soldiers on Iwo Jima at the start of the battle, only a mere 216 were taken prisoner, some of were only captured because they had been knocked unconscious or disabled in some other way. The majority of who were left were killed in action, although it has been e...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the battle of iwo jima was the most intense, fiercest, and bloodiest fighting of the war in the pacific of world war ii.
- Narrates how the marines expected a fierce fight for the summit of mount suribachi despite being isolated from the rest of the island.
- Explains the importance of the battle to marines today is shown in statues and monuments made to the island and mount suribachi.
- Explains that the medal of honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the united states government.
- Explains how the battle was immortalized by joseph rosenthal's photo of the raising of a u.s. flag on the 545 ft. mount suribachi.
- Explains that the lessons learned on iwo jima served as a guide for the following battle of okinawa and the planned invasion of japan.
1650 wordsRead More - The History of Iwo Jimaanalytical essayThe island of Iwo Jima is just one of the many islands in the pacific that make up the island chain of Ogasawara. The Ogasawara chain of islands are located approximately 750 miles south of Tokyo. In comparison to most of the other islands in the pacific Iwo Jima is relatively small, in fact it is only four and a half miles long by two and a half miles wide. The geographic layout of Iwo Jima consists of a dormant volcano on the northern side called Mount Suribachi and a flat stretch of land to the south. So why is such a small island so important? After the surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor America needed a place to stage aircraft for conducting bombing runs on Tokyo, Iwo Jima provided the best place to host our fleet of bombers.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that iwo jima is one of the many islands in the pacific that make up the island chain of ogasawara.
- Explains that before the war, iwo jima was inhabited by the japanese. there was only a population of 1018 people.
- States that the american invasion of iwo jima began on february 19, 1945 and continued till march 26, 1945, a battle that only lasted 36 days, yet had some of the most ferocious fighting and casualties ever seen.
- Analyzes how the japanese's actions at iwo jima convinced america that the atomic bombing of hiroshima and nagasaki was inevitable.
- Explains that the japanese commander in charge of iwo jima was general kuribayashi.
- Explains that america began a bombing raid to weaken the japanese defenses on iwo jima on december 8th, 1944.
- Explains that iwo jima saw the only action in the pacific campaign where american casualties surpassed that of the japanese.
- Cites morison, samuel, e., bradley, & powers. victory in the pacific, 1945 – history of the united states naval operations in world war ii.
2153 wordsRead More - The Real War By Roger Paul Fussellanalytical essayIn conclusion, while books, photos, movies and other historical documentation can portray information or a message about wartime events, they will never be able to produce the feelings of those that were personally involved in wars have experienced. Yet, it is incorrect to criticize these writers. The information they reveal is still very important historical information. Even if a reader or viewer of this media cannot feel exactly the same emotions as those involved, they still often experience an emotional connection to the events being depicted. This is important, not only for the historical knowledge gained about wars, but also to understand the nature and futility of their occurrence.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how roger j. spiller's article, "the real war," begins with a quote by walt whitman, stating that the real war will never get in the books. fussell is opinionated and critical about other books written about these wars.
- Explains that thousands of books, articles, biographies, and other written material have been published about wartime events, describing real events and conditions that existed during the war.
- Argues that even visual media, which has improved remarkably over the last several decades, cannot express these feelings accurately. today's movies, photography, and other digital media about wars are considerably more visual and realistic than in the past.
- Analyzes how fussell feels angry that the memory of world war two has become sanitized, but he himself has stated that direct experience is crucial to understand the actualities of war.
- Opines that it is impossible to know how it feels to have to kill someone in order to survive, or have the fear that you may be killed.
- Explains that people connected to a parent or loved one react with extreme distress and anxiety, unless they also experienced the same predicaments.
- Opines that as time passes, people move on, memories fade, anger and fear often subside. it's not that the information reported is inaccurate, but survivors can still bestow important facts about their personal involvement.
- Concludes that while books, photos, movies and other historical documentation can portray information or a message about wartime events, they will never be able to produce the feelings of those that were personally involved in wars.
685 wordsRead More