Clint Eastwood has produced a duo that is masterfully crafted. We watch the Battle of Iwo Jima from the American side, focusing on the men who raised the flag in the famous photo. Those who were still alive after the photo was published were brought back to the States and used to promote War Bonds to fund the war to the finish. Letters from Iwo Jima shows us the Japanese side of the same battle. Letters written by the Japanese soldiers were recently found on the Island - they never had a chance to be delivered and were buried. The writer of the script used this information and we watch the Japanese soldiers prepare the fortifications and then fight to the death. They had no reinforcements and no way to leave. Their food gave out before the battle was even started. The story is masterfully told.