Flags of our Fathers portrays the gruesome battle of Iwo Jima, an island from the Pacific Ocean that is detrimental in order for America to defeat Japan. A photograph taken of 6 soldiers raising the American flag on the top mount Suribachi becomes a symbol of this war and highlight the politics behind the efforts of war. The movie is built on a series of back and forth between what happened on Iwo Kima, and what happens back home to the flag raisers. All through this movie, the three soldiers feel an immense gap between how they are being portrayed as heroes, and how they really see themselves
In February1945, American soldiers are tasked with taking the island of Iwo Jima, strategic island to win the war with Japan, as the Japanese army …show more content…
Indeed, Ira, Rene and Doc are sent on a tour to raise funds, through the purchase of bonds by Americans, for the war. It is explained to them when they first refused their “new mission” that without additional revenue, there would be no more money to support the war efforts within a month, which would leave their fellow soldiers without the necessary material and protection to defeat the Japanese and stay alive. Something as simple as supplying fuel for the boats was at stake. In fact, the government had already raised taxes on American citizen and increased the number of taxpayers. But despites that increase, tax revenues only covered 45% of the military expenses, and therefore the government needed to borrow the rest (p 908). The use of heavy advertising, close to actual propaganda, resting on the propagation and exploitation of the now famous picture of Iwo Jima was a effective tool for the United State government. The photo of those six soldiers raisin the American flag on the top of Mount Suribachi awaken a strong feeling of patriotism among the American public, and contributed to financing the war through the mass purchase of …show more content…
The reason is that the Japanese were known to be “ Skilled defensive fighters” (P 925), and the army wanted to avoid the death of too many soldier. Therefore, the strategy of “leapfrogging” was adopted, which consisted in the use of airpower and seapower to attempt to neutralize the Japanese as much as possible before sending troops on the ground. Unfortunately for our protagonists, the Japanese soldiers were very determined and tactical. Once the soldiers advanced by foot on the island, the bloodbath began. In the end, nearly 7,000 American soldiers lost their life on this island (P 933). Several scene in the movie such as the one of the bodies of many soldiers on the beach, attempts to represent the magnitude of the casualties. Some lost their lives in very gruesome manners, like Iggy who was tortured and completely disfigured beyond recognition, Japanese behavior which was previously highlighted during the Bataan Death March of 1942 (P 906). Finally, rather than surrendering, Japanese soldiers “fought to the death” (P 933), to the point of committing suicide, as portrayed in the scene where it is discovered that they were using grenade to kill themselves rather then
In February1945, American soldiers are tasked with taking the island of Iwo Jima, strategic island to win the war with Japan, as the Japanese army …show more content…
Indeed, Ira, Rene and Doc are sent on a tour to raise funds, through the purchase of bonds by Americans, for the war. It is explained to them when they first refused their “new mission” that without additional revenue, there would be no more money to support the war efforts within a month, which would leave their fellow soldiers without the necessary material and protection to defeat the Japanese and stay alive. Something as simple as supplying fuel for the boats was at stake. In fact, the government had already raised taxes on American citizen and increased the number of taxpayers. But despites that increase, tax revenues only covered 45% of the military expenses, and therefore the government needed to borrow the rest (p 908). The use of heavy advertising, close to actual propaganda, resting on the propagation and exploitation of the now famous picture of Iwo Jima was a effective tool for the United State government. The photo of those six soldiers raisin the American flag on the top of Mount Suribachi awaken a strong feeling of patriotism among the American public, and contributed to financing the war through the mass purchase of …show more content…
The reason is that the Japanese were known to be “ Skilled defensive fighters” (P 925), and the army wanted to avoid the death of too many soldier. Therefore, the strategy of “leapfrogging” was adopted, which consisted in the use of airpower and seapower to attempt to neutralize the Japanese as much as possible before sending troops on the ground. Unfortunately for our protagonists, the Japanese soldiers were very determined and tactical. Once the soldiers advanced by foot on the island, the bloodbath began. In the end, nearly 7,000 American soldiers lost their life on this island (P 933). Several scene in the movie such as the one of the bodies of many soldiers on the beach, attempts to represent the magnitude of the casualties. Some lost their lives in very gruesome manners, like Iggy who was tortured and completely disfigured beyond recognition, Japanese behavior which was previously highlighted during the Bataan Death March of 1942 (P 906). Finally, rather than surrendering, Japanese soldiers “fought to the death” (P 933), to the point of committing suicide, as portrayed in the scene where it is discovered that they were using grenade to kill themselves rather then