Letters From Iwo Jima

Film: Letters From Iwo Jima (2006)
Rated: R, Time: 2 hrs 21 mins

Summary: The film was directed by Clint Eastwood and is actually in Japanese with English subtitles. The movie is told from the Japanese perspective of the Battle of Iwo Jima and provides an insiders look at what it's like to have war in one's home soil. The film is rated R and should not be shown unless you have parent persmission. I actually showed this film this year for my WWII unit and I sent a letter home explaining why it was rated R. Mostly, it wast the battle scenes because there isn't sexual content or drug or alcohol usage that would reflect in the rating. When I used this film the students had some background information about WWII, but most of my students did not have much knowledge about the war in the Pacific until we watched the film. My students were caught between some ethical questions after watching this film and they questioned much of their preconceived notions. A few of my kids confessed that they felt guilty cheering for the Japanese and rooting against the Americans. However, I think this allowed for great discussions about empathy, ethics, and nationalism. I would recommend watching the film before you show your students and have some essential questions to discuss before and after you finish the film.