The defence of Iwo Jima during the Second World War was a suicide assignment. "Do not expect to return home alive," says General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe). A ragtag Japanese army digs deep into the black volcanic sand, its supplies running short even as the American attackers approach. And despite the fanatical zeal of officers like Lt Ito, soldiers such as ex-baker Saigo just want to see their families again.
Making films from the adversary's point of view has been done before: The Blue Max, All Quiet on the Western Front, Tora! Tora! Tora! But it's never been done like this. Clint Eastwood filmed Flags Of Our Fathers and Letters From Iwo Jima back-to-back in one colossal undertaking. The bleached colours are the same in both films, as is the sense of compassion and dignity, but Letters stands on its own, with its Japanese cast, language and script.
That it succeeds is illustrated by its four Academy Award nominations, including Eastwood's fourth as Best Director in 14 years.
Letters From Iwo Jima is a Film programme that first aired in 2006 and has been classified a 15 certificate.
