Flags of Our Fathers

[sonofsamphm1c]

I think there are some problems with the movie, but the parts that have to do with Iwo Jima are very good.

The Marines and the Navy corpsman depicted come off as resolute and dedicated to their jobs, which is how they were.

[DocHayes]

I thought it was a pretty good movie. Less about combat than it was about the protagonists dealing with their demons.

Pretty cool that most of the movie was seen through the eyes of Doc Bradley. I also think it goes to show the relationship between Corpsmen and the Marines.

Oh yeah, I was glad that I didn't hear "MEDIC" once at all through the whole movie... they actually called us "Corpsman" or "Doc".

Now when people wonder about Corpsmen and Marines, I can refer them to the movie.

[randver]

i loved the move and am glad they did not call us medics. but at the same time i could be wrong, but we where called DOC or Pharmacist's Mate NOT Corpsman at the time. since Bradley was a Pharmacist's Mate Second Class not a Hospital Corpsman Second Class

[sonofsamphm1c]

They were Navy corpsmen. The Marines in a platoon would call them Doc, but most went by an individual nickname or their last name.

My father was nicknamed "Red". When talking to Marines and corpsmen who served with him, many would not remember him until I tried "Red".

[SubDoc]

I was an instructor at Corps School Great Lakes (1990-1992) and we tried repeatedly to get Mr Bradley to come to the schoolhouse to be the speaker at one of the graduations.

Needless to say, we never did get him to come down.

I think we took the wrong approach angle with him. We tried using the IWO (Flag) angle. If we had known that he had the Navy Cross, that is how we would have approached it.

God Bless him and all of the Doc's who went before us.

[kamon8404]

I have not yet seen this movie. In fact, I am going to rent this movie tonight and watch it. I'll let you all know what I thought about it. I heard nothing but good things though.

[kamon8404]

I finally got to get my hands on the movie and take a look. I thought that it was decent. Of course, I thought that the book was better (I read in corps school). Its going to be a keeper in my movie lib though. Gotta show the love for my corpsman out there.

[crazycajun]

I've read the book and now I've seen the movie.

I hated the way the guys were treated, though understand the motives behind the War Bond Drive. Still think they could have treated the men with a litte more respect.

Both the book and the movie choked me up in the same spot. Father/Son moment.

Though I still feel it's a must read.

[kamon8404]

I agree with the fact that the men could have been treated differently. I think they were treated that way partly because society didn't have as much of a grasp on the face of the war as they do now. Media wasn't flooding the battle field much like today. They only have stories and a few pictures to go on, not live footage. Not justifying their actions but, I think the media has a huge roll in the way society views the war effort.

[DevilDoc]

I read the book first...a real tear jerker!
The movie, just saw it last week, finally. Pretty good, although the book was better. It's a definate must see though! For certain!

[CowgirlMedicUSN]

I actually liked the movie, have not read the book. Ben and I went and saw the movie right before he left for boot, so it was kinda an emotional weekend to start with, and I did tear up a bit in the movie. Gave Ben a whole new understanding about what we all do though, since I kinda have a hard time talking about what I do with him.

[GruntCorpsman]

I thought the movie did a pretty good job of bringing the book to life, not just the combat but the emotional turmoil that follows combat veterans. If you want another great view of what it is to be a corpsman of Marines to help people understand, I recommend "Combat Surgeon: On Iwo with the 27th Marines" and "Doc: Heroic Stories of Medics, Corpsmen and Surgeons in Combat". Both books help the inexperienced reader learn a little of what it is like to be a corpsman and give the experienced reader cause for reflection.

[DeeDee]

thanks for the recommendation GruntCorpsman - I think I need a trip to the bookstore soon - my list of wanna reads is getting LONG

[popsie]

Just saw the movie and read the book when it first came out. The book and the movie compliment each other. The book gives more detail and really developed the characters. The movie didn't really do that. There were alot of side stories the movies really confused you with. My wife had a hard tme following alot of the sub plots. To really enjoy the movie, you had to read the book first. Just my opinion.

[sonofsamphm1c]

I'll second the recommendation of James Vedder's Iwo Jima history. It is definitely one of the best personal histories of the battle.

My father was a corpsman with the Weapons Company, 28th Regiment. The book he could not finish is Richard E. Overton's "God Isn't Here".

I almost hesitate to recommend it as it's brutal.

[tact.medic]

I agree with the fact that the men could have been treated differently. I think they were treated that way partly because society didn't have as much of a grasp on the face of the war as they do now. Media wasn't flooding the battle field much like today. They only have stories and a few pictures to go on, not live footage. Not justifying their actions but, I think the media has a huge roll in the way society views the war effort.


The Book was great, the movie not as good, but I'm glad they didn't downplay how Ira Hayes suffered due to the war and drinking. Those of us in the know, recoginize PTSD, but others just thought him a drunk. Real shame.

I also feel that they were mistreated during the War-Bonds drive, but the goverment needed the funds to keep the war effort going. Remember that its a movie, so it is subjective how the producers make their films. On another note I want to say that in the 1940's America was much more patriotic, now a days its pretty sad how people treat this war, and worse how employers treat spouses of deployed service members, my wife had to quit her job because this.

read the book then check the movie.....

[AndiRRT]

Totally agree, Tact. The book was amazing. Well-written, etc. The movie was just okay.

[Razzaq]

hi everyone:

I must say it a great place with such a great information / history...

It is very nice to find the place and exited while surfing :)


Thanks for the posts etc...

[CdtWalkerUSNSCC]

One of my hobbies is Historical Reenacting, I reenact medical personal from all sides in both theaters, unfortunately I have never done a Corpsman's impression, but I feel that the movie did just to the time period. I believe to be a very accurate reproduction of the time and event, even their equipment was all correct.

[tmoreland]

Just watched the movie. I wish there were more like it. I felt that this movie had substance that far outweighed the historical innaccuracies. Happy Fourth Everyone!