Letters From Iwo Jima (DVD)-Ken Watanabe (actor)-Image

Bookmark for this productThis link will open in a new window

Letters From Iwo Jima (DVD)

Ken Watanabe (actor), Shido Nakamura (actor) and Clint Eastwood (director)
More About this Product
List Price: $34.99
Tower Price: $12.86
You Save: $22.13 (64%)
Add to BagAdd to Bag Click to go directly to the checkout.
This item qualifies for FREE Shop N' Save Shipping for orders over $25. Check individual shipping price.
Availability: On Sale - Ships in 12 Hours

Product Description
 [ Run a Quick Search on "Letters From Iwo Jima" starring Ken Watanabe to Browse Related Products:  ]
Browse more products related to "Letters From Iwo Jima"
Browse more products related to "Ken Watanabe, Shido Nakamura and Clint Eastwood"
Review

Sight and Sound, 03/01/2007, p.64, "[A]s a seasoned film-maker, he can render action -- especially sudden death or suicide -- as disorientating as it's startling."

Rolling Stone, 12/28/2006, p.121, 4 stars out of 4 -- "Eastwood's film burns into the memory by striving for authentic detail. The result is unique and unforgettable."

Entertainment Weekly, 12/29/2006, 102, Included in Entertainment Weekly's "Top 10 Films Of The Year" -- "[A] war picture that honors every soldier everywhere..."

Entertainment Weekly, 12/22/2006, p.57, "[P]rofound, magisterial, and gripping....LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA enthralls in the audacity of its simplicity." -- Grade: A

Uncut, 03/01/2007, p.118, 5 stars out of 5 -- "Directed with fluency and grace, LETTERS...illuminates a desperately dark episode with rare insight and conviction."

Rolling Stone, 12/28/2006, p.118, Ranked #3 in Rolling Stone's "The 10 Best Movies Of 2006" -- "[A] single, stinging portrait of war..."

Ultimate DVD, 08/01/2007, p.104, 4 stars out of 5 -- "Eastwood treads a respectful and even-handed path."

Film Comment, 01/01/2007, p.36, Ranked #16 in Film Comment's "20 Best Films Of 2006."

Total Film, 04/01/2007, p.37, 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he performances ensure an emotional connection....LETTERS seeks to humanise the other side in a way FLAGS never did..."

Title Note

Theatrical Release: December 20, 2006

Release Note

DVD Features:

Region 1
2-Disc Set - Amaray
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - Japanese
Subtitles - English - Optional
Subtitles - French, Spanish - Optional (Feature Presentation Only)
Subtitles - English - Closed Captioned
Additional Release Material:
Additional Footage - 1. World Premiere at Budo-kan in Tokyo (November 2006)
2. Press Conference (November 2006)
Behind the Scenes - 1. "Red Sun, Black Sand: The Making of LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA"
2. "Images from the Frontlines: The Photography of LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA"
Text/Photo Galleries:
Stills/Photos - "The Faces of War: The Cast of LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA"

Product Notes

Clint Eastwood's companion piece to FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS is again set during World War II. But in LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, he looks at the war from the Japanese perspective, using Japanese dialogue. With American forces on their way, General Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe, THE LAST SAMURAI) arrives on the island to find his troops woefully under-trained and hopelessly outmatched. Japanese pop and television star Kazunari Ninomiya plays Saigo, a young soldier who asks, "Am I digging my own grave?" as he creates trenches. With no hope of reinforcements, these men have little hope of leaving the island alive.

Eastwood and director of photography Tom Stern paint their picture in a palette of taupes and grays. The landscape of the volcanic island is desolate, providing a hellish experience for the stationed soldiers but a stark beauty for the audience. With this bleak setting, LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA is a powerful ode to duty in dire circumstances. General Kuribayashi and Saigo provide the emotional center of the film, giving a glimpse into the minds of both seasoned officers and drafted novices. Eastwood doesn't deal in simple heroes and villains; these characters are sympathetic and real, whether their motives are pride, fear, or loyalty to their country. Though only the Academy-Award-nominated Watanabe is a familiar face to American audiences, each of the actors involved displays his experience working in Japanese film, television, and theater. The battle scenes are breathtaking and brutal, but it's the actors who are the core of the film. The picture has the standard tropes found in any modern war film, like verbal abuse by a superior and battle scenes filled with severed limbs. But Eastwood goes beyond the war-movie boilerplate with this impressive film that deserves every accolade it earns.

Customer Reviews for "Letters From Iwo Jima (DVD)"

There are no customer reviews yet. Be the first to write a review!

Submit your Review

What's New and Exciting Around Tower
  • Sales & Promotion
  • Tower Great Gift Ideas
    Tower has Great Gifts for everyone on your list!
  • Tower Essentials Sale
    Visit the Essentials Sale for a wide selection and huge savings on your favorite entertainment.
  • DVD Classic Multipacks Sale
    Big Savings on your favorite classic Multi-pack DVD collections - including 20, 50 and 100 film box sets!
  • Lionsgate Movie Specials
    Browse the Boutique and enjoy Savings of up to 50% on selected DVD & Blu-Ray titles from Lionsgate Home Entertainment!
  • Paramount Movie Specials
    Grow your DVD collection with these classic and newly released movies from Paramount Home Entertainment, featuring your favorite Comedy, Action & Adventure and Classic films at great low prices!
  • FOX/MGM Movie Specials
    Take home your most cherished classics from Fox & MGM's iconic film library today when you browse our Classics Super Specials boutique.
  • Special Features
  • The Best CDs of 2007
    Amy Winehouse, hip hop legend Kanye West and popular favorite Paul Potts to lesser known gems Justice, Lupe Fiasco ...
  • The Best DVDs of 2007
    Tower Video presents the very best DVDs released in 2007, from our guru's picks to top selling and long-awaited releases.
  • Andy Palacio World Music Special Tribute Page
    The Tower.com family pay our humble respects to the life and career of one of the world's greatest musicians and social activists, Andy Palacio.
  • Browse Our New Blu-Ray Section
    With over 700 titles & new items added each week, Tower’s new Blu-Ray section offers recent releases, Blu-Ray bestsellers and great deals on your favorite high-def titles!
Explore More Great Tower Sales & Specials