Appearing on the front page of every major U.S. newspaper during the battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, a photo depicting the planting of Old Glory on Mount Suribachi became one of the most famous photographs of all time. Flags of Our Fathers shows how this image was used to rally support for WWII. It also tells the story of three military men recruited to help the government with its massive propaganda campaign as a result of their involvement in that iconic picture.

Ryan Philippe, Jesse Bradford and Adam Beach deliver convincing performances as the navy corpsman and two marines, respectively, who react quite differently to being paraded around the nation as the "Heroes of Iwo Jima." Philippe (Crash) portrays John Bradley, nicknamed "Doc" because he's a medic. Doc engages in soul-searching about why he should be singled out for his bravery when others were more deserving and are now dead. But he adopts a practical attitude, since his appearances will help with the war effort. Bradford (Swimfan) is cast as Rene Gagnon, who looks like Tyrone Power and enjoys the publicity, thinking it will come in handy when he needs a job after the war. Playing Ira Hayes, Beach (Windtalkers) has the most challenging role here. The entire PR effort disgusts Ira because he can't help thinking about a buddy killed in action who, in Ira's words, was "the finest marine who ever lived." Ira must also face humiliating ethnic slurs and prejudicial treatment during the fundraising tour.

Directed by Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby), Flags of Our Fathers explores issues relating to truth, heroism and warfare. The photo in question was shot  after a VIP demanded the first flag for himself, so ethical concerns arise about passing it off as the real thing as well as about which men were actually in the photo. The movie also makes one wonder about the definition of a hero. Were the troops in Iwo Jima fighting for their country? Or for their buddies? Or, as one man says, "just trying not to get shot" themselves?

Like Saving Private Ryan, this film contains extremely graphic battle sequences. In fact, I had to close my eyes during most of the bloody carnage scenes. Presented as flashbacks, they seem jumbled -- and, my husband, who watched everything, said it was hard to differentiate among the characters. I felt the same way about interviews with some of the characters as elderly men. Who were they? It wasn't clear -- nor did that part of the movie seem necessary to me. Although ambitious and enlightening, the film falters when relying too much on such non-linear storytelling and by adding "present day" conversations that seem tacked on as an afterthought. 

I'm not a big fan of war movies, but Flags of Our Fathers relates a story that needed to be told and held my interest most of the time. In general, I found it a thought-provoking tribute to the heroes of Iwo Jima.

(Released by DreamWorks SKG and rated "R" for sequences of graphic war violence and carnage, and language.)