February 1945. Even as victory in Europe was finally within reach, the war in the Pacific raged on. One of the most crucial and bloodiest battles of the war was the struggle for the island of Iwo Jima, which culminated with what would become one of the most iconic images in history: five Marines and a Navy corpsman raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi. The inspiring photo capturing that moment became a symbol of victory to a nation that had grown weary of war and made instant heroes of the six American soldiers at the base of the flag, some of whom would die soon after, never knowing that they had been immortalized. But the surviving flag raisers had no interest in being held up as symbols and did not consider themselves heroes; they wanted only to stay on the front with their brothers in arms who were fighting and dying without fanfare or glory.
 
"...one of the year's best films and perhaps the finest modern film about World War II."  Claudia Puig, USA Today
"...a powerful, important and, in the end, profoundly poignant movie..."  Ken Fox, TV Guide
"Clint Eastwood has crafted a bold and meticulous epic."  Richard Corliss, Time
"...Flags of Our Fathers is to the WWII movie what Eastwood's Unforgiven was to the western..."  Scott Foundas, The Village Voice
"...passionate, honest, unflinching, gripping, and it pays respects."  Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
 


Editor's Note

IN THEATERS: OCTOBER 20TH 2006

|Clint Eastwood adapts James Bradley's book FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS for the big screen, presenting a tale of bravery in World War II as six men struggle to raise the flag at the Battle of Iwo Jima.