World War II Epic

It’s fascinating how, as the generations have grown up and reassessed the Second World War, different stories rise to the surface and are told which bring a new take on the history-telling. One generation could do nothing but tell stories of heroes and victorious allies against the axis of evil (ring any bells in modern Republican politics?!). Another generation can still tell stories of its heroes, but this time the villains are not only the enemy to be conquered (who are in fact only doing the job), but also the corrupt commanders and spin-doctors of their own armies. Clint Eastwood enters this latter territory with this film, in fact one of two which he made to tell the story of one of the most famous images of World War II – soldiers holding up the stars and stripes victoriously on a battle field. The film is well produced, and masterfully raises all the major moral questions that come with war. The lines between good and bad are blurred, and the after-effects of conflict are a horrible legacy. Perhaps the film is slightly over-done and over-anxious to be virtuous, but that seems to be a temptation Eastwood falls prey to in many of his movies. Nevertheless, well worth the effort.