Bonus Option

The Soldiers of Iwo Jima

 

 

 

Overview: 

The Battle of Iwo Jima was fought between the United States and Japan from February 19 to March, 26, 1945.  It was part of the Pacific Campaign of World War II and the objective of the United States was to capture the airfields on Iwo Jima.  In the latter stage of the Pacific Campaign, Iwo Jima was strategically important to both the United States and Japan.  For Japan, it provided an airbase for Japanese aircraft to intercept long-range B-29 bombers and provided a refuge for Japanese naval units.  For the United States, the capture of Iwo Jima would not only rob the Japanese of its airbase and refuge, but, more importantly, provide a staging area for the eventual invasion of the Japanese mainland.

 

The battle of Iwo Jima was some of the most deadly and fiercest fighting of the Pacific campaign.  For the Japanese, over 21,000 Japanese soldiers, 20,703 died and 216 were captured during the battle.  The Allied forces suffered 27,909 casualties, with 6825 killed in action, the greatest loss of Americans until the entire Battle of Normandy (125,847 causalities).  Iwo Jima was also the only U.S. Marine battle where the American casualties exceeded the Japanese.

 

Traditionally, the Battle of Iwo Jima has been treated as a noble cause of the United States by military historians, the media, and Hollywood.  However, Clint Eastwood, as a director and producer, decided to revisit this historical understanding in two films, “Flag of Our Fathers” and “The Letters from Iwo Jima.” Both films are based on the narratives of soldiers who were participants of that 40 day battle. 

 

In his intent and in his two films, Eastwood asks the viewer to see Iwo Jima, and, by implication, the fighting of a war, from the perspectives of those who are on the front lines fighting for their respective countries. By so doing, he challenges past Hollywood versions of the Battle of Iwo Jima, such as the “Sands of Iwo Jima” starring John Wayne (1950). Equally important, he reveals the “real story” about the Joe Rosenthal’s famous photograph of American marines raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi in February 1945. 

 

Activity:

 

Due Date/Assessment:

  • History 103/online: Due on or before November 7
    Assessment: Each film counts 15 points.

 

Requirements:

 

  • Be sure to understand the significance of Iwo Jima for Japan and the United States in the Pacific Campaign in World War II.  Use the following sources for a basic overview.  You are not required to include this information in your analysis (Step Two).  However, knowing more about the historical event might help you better understand the two films.

 

    1. Iwo Jima – this site has been created by the Iwo Jima society.  Therefore, it tells the traditional story from the American perspective.  This site is useful, because it will provide a comparison to Eastwood’s interpretation. 

    1. USMC War Memorial – Background on the war memorial of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi.

 

 

  • Rent and watch “Flag of Our Fathers” and the “Letters from Iwo Jima.”  Both are available at Blockbuster.

  • Write an analysis of these two films, using specific examples.

 

 

Step One: View the two films:  As you watch these movies, answer the following questions. Your answers will provide the basis for the written analysis (Step Two).

 

Film Content: For each film, answer these questions:

 

  1. What is the main focus of the film with regards to soldiers and generals?

 

  1. What are the attitudes of the soldiers about the Battle of Iwo Jima? 

 

  1. How do the main characters in the film interpret loyalty or patriotism for their country?

 

  1. How do the generals and the government treat or consider the importance of these soldiers?

 

  1. What types of attitudes or feelings to the soldiers in the film have before or during the battle?  Do their attitudes or feelings change as a consequence of the battle?  If so, how and why?

 

Interpretation of the films: Clint Eastwood has specific objectives in mind when he made these two films. 

 

  1. What “message” was he trying to impart to viewers about the soldiers who fought at Iwo Jima?

 

  1. In your opinion, do you think he decided to make these two films to make a larger argument about war and about America’s approach to foreign policy today? 

 

 

Step Two: Written Reflection:

 

  1. Write an analysis of each of these films, using your notes from the previous section.

 

  1. This analysis should include specific examples from the films to illustrate your analysis and opinions.

 

  1. No word limit is required.  However, to provide a thorough analysis of both films will likely require between 500 – 700 words.