Flags of Our Fathers, by James Bradley, depicts the history of the six men who raised the flag at Iwo Jima. Bradley’s book has been made into a major motion picture, which opened this weekend, and is directed by Clint Eastwood.
James Bradley’s father, John Bradley, was a Navy medic during the raid on Iwo Jima and was one of the six men who raised the flag in the now famous photo. Within Bradley’s book the reader is presented with not just how horrible the battle was to take the island, but how the fates of six men become intertwined by one photograph. I was able to speak with Mr. Bradley during a book signing today and got to ask him his thoughts about the film.
Sidekick: Mr. Bradley have you had a chance to see the film based on your book yet?
Bradley: Yes, yes I have. I actually saw if four times now.
SK: Wow, I guess you enjoyed the film then...
Bradley: You can say that...yes...yes I did. What did you think of the film?
SK: I really liked the film. I enjoyed how Eastwood presented the film in the same manner your book is written.
Bradley: Thanks, it visually looked like everything I pictured when writing the book.
SK: In the book you tell that your father never mentioned the photograph, and it demonstrates that in the movies as well. Did you ever know your father was the man in the photo?
Bradley: We knew something growing up, but he never directly told us about the photo. It wasn’t until he passed away that I wanted to know more about my father that I came across the photo and press clippings that I got to find out more about my father and what he and the men of Easy Company did at Iwo Jima.
Sadly that was all I could get out of him, but he is a really nice guy. I saw the movie this weekend and it sparked an idea that I will be doing movie reviews in the future. The movie is truly fantastic. The imagery, story, and acting are all wonderful. I believe that this movie will most likely sweep at the Oscars this year. I even shared that with Mr. Bradley and he hopes so too. The movie opened third this weekend being beating out by The Prestige and The Departed. However, I think this movie will begin to be noticed this week and should hit number one in week or so. I highly recommend this movie and pay close attention to the actor that plays Ira Hayes; I see best supporting actor in his future. To end my report: When I saw this movie on Saturday it was in a packed movie theatre. When the movie was over the audience got up to leave when they saw the directed by credit appear. Eastwood puts in the credits photos from Iwo Jima that he recreated within the film. This was the first time I have ever seen an audience stop where they are and watch the entire credits. We all sat in silence together watching the photos and credits. It was amazing.
sidekick
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