Anthropologically analyse the films of Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima and present your research as a ‘compare and contrast’ essay:

Set in the 1940’s at Iwo Jima Island, Flags of Our Fathers and its companion piece, Letters from Iwo Jima, illustrate the brutalities and perspectives through both U.S American and Imperial Japanese soldier’s eyes. Through the personal accounts used both films, Clint Eastwood exemplifies the patriotic stories of a generation of people from the two waring powers in World War II, Japan and the United States of America. Being countries of vast differences the films can be analysed based on cultural, linguistic and moral grounds to give clear similarities and contrasts. These are portrayed in the films through similarities in the personal stories and connections, depth into both sides’ differences and perceptions and also the similarities surrounding cultural identity and nationalism. By contrast the films differ when evaluating moral differences in war and the audience’s emotional connections to each film individually. Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima present a story that is free from propaganda and avoids clichés and biased approaches common in many ‘Hollywood’ war films. “The films showed each soldier’s sacrifices for their country, rightly or wrongly. Both experienced and did what they needed to survive.” [Disc 2. Flags of Our Fathers, Special Features] States Eastwood. Whilst conveying the underlying theme and message of “sacrifice and dying for your country with honour”, commonly referenced on both sides, the films also provide the opportunity for the study of two cultures.

Is this sufficient? Is it clear? Is any extra information needed.

Thank you, any ideas are appreciated :)

[I am a Grade 10 English student, please keep this in mind :) ]