View source for Letters from Iwo Jima

{{short description|2006 American film by Clint Eastwood}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Letters from Iwo Jima
| image          = Letters from Iwo Jima.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Clint Eastwood]]
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* Clint Eastwood
* [[Robert Lorenz]]
* [[Steven Spielberg]]
}}
| screenplay     = [[Iris Yamashita]]
| story          = {{Plainlist|
* Iris Yamashita
* [[Paul Haggis]]
}}
| based_on       = {{Based on|''Picture Letters from Commander in Chief''|[[Tadamichi Kuribayashi]] (author)<br />Tsuyuko Yoshida (editor)}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Ken Watanabe]]
* [[Kazunari Ninomiya]]
* [[Tsuyoshi Ihara]]
* [[Ryō Kase]]
* [[Nakamura Shidō II|Shidō Nakamura]]
}}
| music          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Kyle Eastwood]]
* [[Michael Stevens (composer)|Michael Stevens]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Tom Stern (cinematographer)|Tom Stern]]
| editing        = {{Plainlist|
* [[Joel Cox]]
* [[Gary D. Roach]]
}}
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* [[DreamWorks Pictures]]
* [[Malpaso Productions]]
* [[Amblin Entertainment]]
}}
| distributor    = {{Plainlist|
* [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]
}}
| released       = {{Film date|2006|12|09|Japan|2006|12|20|United States}}
| runtime        = 140 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 140:28--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/letters-from-iwo-jima-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mtqwodk | title=''LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA'' (15) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=January 2, 2007 | access-date=October 12, 2015 | archive-date=March 6, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306023631/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/letters-iwo-jima-2 | url-status=live }}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = Japanese<br>English
| budget         = $19 million<ref name="bomojo">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1231914497/ |title=Letters from Iwo Jima |access-date=July 5, 2009 |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |archive-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514105200/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lettersfromiwojima.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| gross          = $68.7 million<ref name="bomojo"/>
}}
{{Nihongo|'''''Letters from Iwo Jima'''''|硫黄島からの手紙|Iōjima Kara no Tegami}} is a 2006 Japanese-language American [[war film]] directed and co-produced by [[Clint Eastwood]], starring [[Ken Watanabe]] and [[Kazunari Ninomiya]]. The film portrays the [[Battle of Iwo Jima]] from the perspective of the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] [[Imperial Japanese Army|soldiers]] and is a companion piece to Eastwood's ''[[Flags of Our Fathers (film)|Flags of Our Fathers]]'', which depicts the same battle from the American viewpoint; the two films were shot back to back. ''Letters from Iwo Jima'' is almost entirely in Japanese with a few English sequences, despite being co-produced by American companies [[DreamWorks Pictures]], [[Malpaso Productions]] and [[Amblin Entertainment]].

The film was released in Japan on December 9, 2006 and received a limited release in the United States on December 20, 2006 in order to be eligible for consideration for the [[79th Academy Awards]], for which it received four nominations, including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]] and winning [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Editing]]. It was subsequently released in more areas of the U.S. on January 12, 2007, and was released in most states on January 19. An English-dubbed version of the film premiered on April 7, 2008. Upon release, the film received critical acclaim and although it only grossed slightly better at the box office than its companion, it was much more successful compared to its budget.

==Plot==
In 2005, Japanese [[archaeologist]]s explore tunnels on [[Iwo Jima]], where they find something in the dirt.

In 1944 [[Battle of Iwo Jima|Iwo Jima]], [[Private (rank)|Private First Class]] Saigo, a [[Conscription|conscripted]] baker who misses his wife and newly-born daughter, is digging beach trenches with his platoon when [[Lieutenant General]] [[Tadamichi Kuribayashi]] arrives to take command of the garrison. He saves Saigo from a beating by Captain Tanida for being "unpatriotic", and orders the garrison to tunnel underground defenses throughout the island.

Kuribayashi and [[Lieutenant Colonel]] [[Kazoku|Baron]] [[Takeichi Nishi]], a famous [[Olympic medalist|Olympic gold medalist]] [[show jumping|show jumper]], clash with the other officers, who disagree with Kuribayashi's [[defense in depth]] strategy. Kuribayashi learns that Japan cannot send reinforcements and thus believes that the tunnels and mountain bunkers stand a better chance of holding out than relying entirely on the beach defenses. Poor nutrition and unsanitary conditions take their toll, and many die of [[dysentery]]. Replacement troops arrive, including [[Army ranks of the Japanese Empire during World War II|Superior Private]] Shimizu, whom Saigo suspects is a spy from the [[Kempeitai]] sent to report on disloyal soldiers.

Soon, American aircraft and warships bombard the island. A few days later, [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marines]] land and suffer heavy casualties, but they overcome the beach defenses and attack [[Mount Suribachi]]. While delivering a message from Captain Tanida to Colonel Adachi, Saigo overhears Kuribayashi's retreat orders over the radio; Adachi instead orders his unit to commit [[honor suicide|honorable suicide]]. Many soldiers obey except Saigo and Shimizu, who decide to retreat and fight on.

The Mount Suribachi survivors make a run for friendly lines, but Marines ambush and slaughter them. Saigo and Shimizu reach safety but are accused by Lieutenant Ito of cowardice. They are about to be [[summary execution|summarily executed]] when Kuribayashi arrives and confirms his order to retreat. Against Kuribayashi's orders, Ito leads an attack on US positions, and many soldiers are killed. Lt. Col. Nishi reprimands Ito for his insubordination; in response, Ito leaves carrying several [[land mine]]s and intends to throw himself under a US tank. Shimizu reveals to Saigo that he was dishonorably discharged from the Kempeitai because he disobeyed an order to kill a family's dog. Nishi befriends a wounded Marine and then reads a letter from the Marine's mother after he dies, garnering sympathy from the Japanese soldiers. Nishi is eventually blinded by shrapnel and orders his men to withdraw before committing suicide.

Saigo and Shimizu decide to surrender, but Shimizu and another surrendering soldier are spotted by an officer, who is ordered to shoot potential deserters. Shimizu escapes and is found by a Marine patrol. Shimizu and another Japanese prisoner are then unlawfully executed by one of their guards. Saigo and the remaining soldiers flee to Kuribayashi's position, which is ill-supplied. Saigo befriends Kuribayashi, and a counter-attack is planned. Kuribayashi orders Saigo to stay behind and destroy any vital documents, saving his life for a third time.

That night, Kuribayashi leads a final night attack on a Marine encampment. Most of his men are killed, and Kuribayashi is critically wounded and dragged away by his aide, Lt. Fujita. Meanwhile, Ito has long abandoned his suicidal mission and is captured by Marines. The next morning, Kuribayashi orders Fujita to behead him with his [[Guntō]], but Fujita is shot and killed by a Marine sniper. Saigo arrives, having buried a bag of letters before leaving headquarters. Kuribayashi asks Saigo to bury him where he will not be found, then draws his pistol — a [[M1911 pistol|M1911]] gifted to him in the US before the war — and commits suicide. Saigo dutifully buries him.

Later, a Marine platoon finds Fujita's body. Saigo reappears and attacks them, infuriated to see an American has taken Kuribayashi's pistol. Saigo is subdued and taken to the beach to recover alongside wounded Marines. Awakening on a stretcher, he glimpses the setting sun and smiles.

Returning to 2005, the archaeologists complete their digging and reveal the bag of letters that Saigo buried. As the letters spill out from the opened bag, the voices of the Japanese soldiers who wrote them are heard.

==Cast==
[[File:Letters from Iwo Jima Berlinale 2007.jpg|thumb|420px|[[Clint Eastwood]], [[Ken Watanabe]], [[Kazunari Ninomiya]] and [[Tsuyoshi Ihara]] after a screening at the [[Berlinale|Berlinale 2007]]]]
* [[Ken Watanabe]] as General [[Tadamichi Kuribayashi]]
* [[Kazunari Ninomiya]] as Private First Class Saigo
* [[Tsuyoshi Ihara]] as Lieutenant Colonel Baron [[Takeichi Nishi]]
* [[Ryō Kase]] as Superior Private Shimizu
* [[Nakamura Shidō II|Shidō Nakamura]] as Lieutenant Ito
* Hiroshi Watanabe as Lieutenant Fujita
* {{interlanguage link|Takumi Bando|ja|坂東工}} as Captain Tanida
* [[Yuki Matsuzaki]] as Private First Class Nozaki
* [[Takashi_Yamaguchi_(actor_1974)|Takashi Yamaguchi]] as Private First Class Kashiwara
* [[Eijiro Ozaki]] as Lieutenant Okubo
* Alan Sato as Sergeant Ondo
* {{interlanguage link|Nae Yuuki|ja|裕木奈江}} as Hanako, Saigo's wife (in a flashback)
* Nobumasa Sakagami as Admiral Ohsugi
* {{interlanguage link|Masashi Nagadoi|ja|長土居政史}} as [[Rinosuke Ichimaru|Admiral Ichimaru]]
* Akiko Shima as lead woman (in a flashback)
* [[Luke Eberl]] as Sam, wounded U.S. Marine (credited as Lucas Elliot)
* [[Jeremy Glazer]] as U.S. Marine Lieutenant
* Ikuma Ando as Ozawa
* [[Mark Moses]] as U.S. Army officer (in a flashback)
* [[Roxanne Hart]] as U.S. Army officer's wife
* [[Evan Ellingson]] as Kid Marine
* [[Noriaki Bunasawa|Nori Bunasawa]] as Japanese journalist

== Production ==
{{more citations needed section|date=September 2015}}
Although the film is set in Japan, it was filmed primarily in [[Barstow, California|Barstow]] and [[Bakersfield, California|Bakersfield]] in [[California]]. All Japanese cast except for [[Ken Watanabe]] were selected through auditions.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} Filming in California wrapped on April 8, and the cast and crew then headed back to the studio in [[Los Angeles]] for more scenes.

Ken Watanabe filmed a portion of his scenes on location on Iwo Jima.<ref>{{cite web|last=David Gordon Smith|first=Von|date=February 13, 2006|url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/eastwood-epic-at-the-berlin-film-festival-letters-from-iwo-jima-sparks-world-war-ii-debate-in-japan-a-466093.html|title='Letters From Iwo Jima' Sparks World War II Debate in Japan|publisher=[[Der Spiegel]]|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=February 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223145318/https://www.spiegel.de/international/eastwood-epic-at-the-berlin-film-festival-letters-from-iwo-jima-sparks-world-war-ii-debate-in-japan-a-466093.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=David Gordon Smith|first=Von|date=January 3, 2007|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2007/01/03/emotional-filming-of-iwo-jima/|title=Emotional filming of "Iwo Jima"|publisher=[[Denver Post]]|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028214652/https://www.denverpost.com/2007/01/03/emotional-filming-of-iwo-jima/|url-status=live}}</ref> Locations on Iwo Jima which were used for filming included beaches, towns, and Mount Suribachi.<ref>{{cite news|date=February 8, 2007|url=https://moviehole.net/interview-the-cast-and-crew-of-letters-from-iwo-jima/|title=Interview: The Cast and Crew of Letters from Iwo Jima|work=Moviehole |publisher=moviehole.net|access-date=October 24, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028211612/https://moviehole.net/interview-the-cast-and-crew-of-letters-from-iwo-jima/|url-status=live}}</ref> Because the crew were only allowed to film minor scenes on Iwo Jima, most of the battle scenes were filmed in Iceland. Filming in Los Angeles lasted for approximately two months, and other locations across the US including Virginia, Chicago, and Houston.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hiscock|first=John|date=November 17, 2006|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/3656577/Why-I-had-to-tell-the-same-story-twice.html|title=Why I had to tell the same story twice
|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707084757/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/3656577/Why-I-had-to-tell-the-same-story-twice.html |access-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-date=July 7, 2016}}</ref>

The filmmakers had to be given special permission from the [[Tokyo|Tokyo Metropolitan Government]] to film on Iwo Jima, because the remains of more than 10,000 missing Japanese soldiers are there.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 7, 2005|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/04/07/national/eastwood-hears-ishiharas-iwo-jima-plea/|title=Eastwood hears Ishihara's Iwo Jima plea|publisher=[[The Japan Times]]|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019062012/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/04/07/national/eastwood-hears-ishiharas-iwo-jima-plea/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clinteastwood.net/filmography/lettersfromiwojima/|title=Letters From Iwo Jima|website=ClintEastwood|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=December 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220053443/http://www.clinteastwood.net/filmography/lettersfromiwojima/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Maruyama|first=Hikari|date=February 29, 2020|url=https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13119260|title=Remains of fallen soldiers in Battle of Iwo Jima still await discovery|newspaper=The Asahi Shimbun|access-date=January 19, 2021|archive-date=August 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831014230/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13119260|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force]] (JMSDF) operates a naval air base on [[Iwo Jima]], which is used by the [[United States Navy]] for operations such as nighttime carrier landing practice. Civilian access to the island is restricted to those attending memorial services for American Marines and Japanese soldiers.

The battleship {{USS|Texas|BB-35}}, which was used in closeup shots of the fleet (for both movies), also participated in the actual attack on Iwo Jima for five days.  The only character to appear in both ''Flags of Our Fathers'' and ''Letters From Iwo Jima'' is [[Charles W. Lindberg]], played by Alessandro Mastrobuono.

===Sources===
The film is based on the non-fiction books ''"Gyokusai sōshikikan" no etegami'' ("Picture letters from the Commander in Chief")<ref>Kuribayashi, T. (Yoshida, T., editor) ''"Gyokusai Soshireikan" no Etegami''. [[Shogakukan]], Tokyo, April 2002, 254p, {{ISBN|4-09-402676-2}} {{in lang|ja}}</ref> by General [[Tadamichi Kuribayashi]] (portrayed on screen by [[Ken Watanabe]]) and ''So Sad To Fall In Battle: An Account of War''<ref>Kakehashi, K. ''So Sad To Fall In Battle: An Account of War (Chiruzo Kanashiki)''. [[Shinchosha]], Tokyo, July 2005, 244p, {{ISBN|4-10-477401-4}} {{in lang|ja}} / Presidio Press, January 2007, 240p, {{ISBN|0-89141-903-9}} {{in lang|en}}</ref> by Kumiko Kakehashi about the Battle of Iwo Jima. While some characters such as Saigo are fictional, the overall battle as well as several of the commanders are based upon actual people and events.

==Reception==
===Critical response===
====In the United States====
''Letters from Iwo Jima'' was critically acclaimed, and well noted for its portrayal of good and evil on both sides of the battle. The critics heavily praised the writing, direction, cinematography and acting. The review tallying website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reported that 184 out of the 202 reviews they tallied were positive for a score of 91%, and an average rating of 8.20/10, and a certification of "fresh." The site's consensus states: "A powerfully humanistic portrayal of the perils of war, this companion piece to ''Flags of Our Fathers'' is potent and thought-provoking, and it demonstrates Clint Eastwood's maturity as a director."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/letters_from_iwo_jima|title=Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)|access-date=August 23, 2009|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|archive-date=January 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118154334/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/letters_from_iwo_jima/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] gave the movie a score of 89 based on 37 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/letters-from-iwo-jima|title=Letters from Iwo Jima Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=March 28, 2020|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927204126/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/letters-from-iwo-jima|url-status=live}}</ref> Lisa Schwarzbaum of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', [[Kenneth Turan]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', and Richard Schickel of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' were among many critics to name it the best picture of the year.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2007/01/07/years-best-films-lisa-schwarzbaums-list/ |title=The year's best films: Lisa Schwarzbaum's list |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=January 7, 2007 |first=Lisa |last=Schwarzbaum |access-date=January 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-dec-17-ca-turan17-story.html |title=Bypassing the escape clause |first=Kenneth |last=Turan |date=December 17, 2006 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=January 29, 2015 |archive-date=October 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022103314/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/dec/17/entertainment/ca-turan17 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Corliss |first=Richard |url=https://time.com/archive/6679501/10-best-movies/ |title=10 Best Movies – TIME |magazine=Time |publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=2006-12-20 |access-date=2016-11-06}}</ref> In addition, [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' and [[Michael Phillips (critic)|Michael Phillips]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' both gave it four stars, and Todd McCarthy of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised the film, assigning it a rare 'A' rating.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://variety.com/2006/film/reviews/letters-from-iwo-jima-1200511625/ |journal=Variety |first=Todd |last=McCarthy |title=Review: 'Letters From Iwo Jima' |date=December 7, 2006 |access-date=January 29, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304215509/http://variety.com/2006/film/reviews/letters-from-iwo-jima-1200511625/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On December 6, 2006, the [[National Board of Review of Motion Pictures]] named ''Letters from Iwo Jima'' the best film of 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/06/film.nationalboard.ap/index.html|title=Eastwood's 'Letters' named 2006's best|access-date=December 6, 2006|publisher=[[CNN]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061217141116/http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/06/film.nationalboard.ap/index.html |archive-date = December 17, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalboardofreview.org/awards/past.cfm?year=2006|title=Awards for 2006|access-date=December 7, 2006|publisher=National Board of Review of Motion Pictures|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110055919/http://www.nbrmp.org/awards/past.cfm?year=2006|archive-date=January 10, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref> On December 10, 2006, the [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association]] named ''Letters from Iwo Jima'' Best Picture of 2006. Furthermore, Clint Eastwood was runner-up for directing honors.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lafca.net/Home/News/2006_lafca_awards_winners.html| title=Awards for 2006| access-date=December 10, 2006|publisher=Los Angeles Film Critics Association |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061220014321/http://www.lafca.net/Home/News/2006_lafca_awards_winners.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = December 20, 2006}}</ref> In addition, the [[American Film Institute]] named it one of the 10 best films of 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFI Awards 2006 |url=https://www.afi.com/award/afi-awards-2006/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=American Film Institute |language=en}}</ref> It was also named Best Film in a Foreign Language on January 15 during the 64th Annual [[Golden Globe Awards]], while Clint Eastwood held a nomination for Best Director.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Letters from Iwo Jima |url=https://goldenglobes.com/film/letters-from-iwo-jima/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=Golden Globe Awards |publisher=[[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Waxman |first1=Sharon |last2=Carr |first2=David |date=January 16, 2007 |title='Babel' and 'Dreamgirls' Win Top Honors at Golden Globe Awards |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/16/movies/awardsseason/16glob.html |access-date=October 22, 2024 |work=[[New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 7, 2007 |title=Letters From Iwo Jima |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/letters-from-iwo-jima/9/ |access-date=October 22, 2024 |work=[[CBS News]]}}</ref>

''[[CNN]]''{{'}}s Tom Charity in his review described ''Letters from Iwo Jima'' as "the only American movie of the year I won't hesitate to call a masterpiece."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/22/review.letters/index.html|title=Review: 'Letters from Iwo Jima' a masterpiece|access-date=January 9, 2007|publisher=CNN|archive-date=January 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110185602/http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/22/review.letters/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On the "Best Films of the Year 2006" broadcast (December 31, 2006) of the television show ''[[At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper|Ebert & Roeper]]'', [[Richard Roeper]] listed the film at #3 and guest critic [[A. O. Scott]] listed it at number one, claiming that the film was "close to perfect". [[James Berardinelli]] awarded a three out of four-star review, concluding that although both 'Letters' and 'Flags' were imperfect but interesting, 'Letters from Iwo Jima' was more focused, strong and straightforward than its companion piece.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://preview.reelviews.net/movies/l/letters_iwo.html |title=Letters from Iwo Jima |first=James |last=Berardinelli |website=ReelViews |access-date=January 29, 2015 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225191522/https://preview.reelviews.net/movies/l/letters_iwo.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 23, 2007, the film received four [[Academy Award]] nominations. Eastwood was nominated for his directing, as well as Best Picture along with producers [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Robert Lorenz]]. It was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay. The film took home one award, Best Sound Editing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-07 |title=The 79th Academy Awards {{!}} 2007 |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2007 |access-date=2024-10-22 |website= |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Montagne |first1=Renee |last2=Turan |first2=Kenneth |date=January 23, 2007 |title='Dreamgirls,' 'Babel' Top Oscar Nominees |url=https://www.npr.org/2007/01/23/6953468/dreamgirls-babel-top-oscar-nominees |access-date=October 22, 2024 |publisher=[[National Public Radio]]}}</ref>

The film appeared on many critics' top ten lists of the best films of 2006, including 157 top ten lists in North America with 25 number one spots.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.metacritic.com/film/awards/2006/toptens.shtml| title=Metacritic: 2006 Film Critic Top Ten Lists|access-date=January 8, 2008|website=[[Metacritic]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071213004758/http://www.metacritic.com/film/awards/2006/toptens.shtml <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = December 13, 2007}}</ref><ref name="CriticsTop10">{{cite web |title=Best Movies of 2006 |url=https://criticstop10.com/best-movies-of-2006-2/ |website=Critics' Top10 |publisher=CriticsTop10 |access-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-date=May 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523075730/https://criticstop10.com/best-movies-of-2006-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The February 2020 issue of ''[[New York Magazine]]'' lists ''Letters from Iwo Jima'' as among "The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars."<ref>{{cite news|title=The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/best-oscar-best-picture-losers.html|magazine=[[New York Magazine]]|access-date=March 30, 2025}}</ref>

====In Japan====
The film was far more commercially successful in Japan than in the U.S., ranking number&nbsp;1 for five weeks, and receiving a warm reception from both Japanese audiences and critics. The Japanese critics noted that Clint Eastwood presented Kuribayashi as a "caring, erudite commander of Japan's Iwo Jima garrison, along with Japanese soldiers in general, in a sensitive, respectful way."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fccj.or.jp/files/February_issue.pdf#search=%27iwo%20jima%20haruko%20watanabe%27|title=Letters from Iwo Jima|format=PDF}}{{Dead link|date=March 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Also, the Japanese newspaper ''[[Asahi Shimbun]]'' noted that the movie is clearly "distinguishable" from previous Hollywood movies, which tended to portray Japanese characters with non-Japanese actors (e.g., Chinese-Americans, and other Asian-Americans). Consequently, incorrect [[Japanese grammar]] and non-native accents were conspicuous in those former films, jarring their realism for the Japanese audience. In contrast, most Japanese roles in ''Letters from Iwo Jima'' are played by native Japanese actors. Also, the article praised the film's new approach, as it is scripted with excellent research into Japanese society at that time. According to the article, previous Hollywood movies describing Japan were based on the stereotypical images of Japanese society, which looked "weird" to native Japanese audiences. ''Letters from Iwo Jima'' is remarkable as the movie that tries to escape from the stereotypes.<ref>Asahi Shimbun, December 13, 2006: それまでのアメリカ映画では、日本を描いた作品や日本人の設定でありながらも、肝心の俳優には中国系や東南アジア系、日系アメリカ人等が起用されたり、日本語に妙な訛りや文法の間違いが目立ち、逆に英語を流暢に話すといった不自然さが目立つことが多かったが、本作品ではステレオタイプな日本の描写（文化や宗教観等）や違和感のあるシーンが少なく、「昭和史」で知られる半藤一利も、細部に間違いはあるが、日本についてよく調べている.</ref> Owing to the lack of stereotypes, ''Letters from Iwo Jima'' was appreciated by Japanese critics and audiences.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kinejun.com/ |title=キネマ旬報社 |publisher=Kinejun.com |date=2012-09-21 |access-date=2012-10-04 |archive-date=June 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610234342/http://www.kinejun.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
 
Since the film was successful in Japan, a tourist boom has been reported on the [[Bonin Islands|Ogasawara islands]], of which [[Iwo Jima]] is part.<ref name="joriku">[http://www.ogpress.com/2p/topix/A-06.12.19ioutou.html 映画「硫黄島2部作」で…硫黄島ブーム] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219042326/http://www.ogpress.com/2p/topix/A-06.12.19ioutou.html |date=December 19, 2007 }} 小笠原新聞社 2006年12月19日</ref>

Despite favorable reviews, the film only grossed $13.7 million in the United States. Foreign sales of $54.9 million helped to boost revenue over production costs of $19 million.<ref name="bomojo"/>

===Awards and honors===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Recipient
! Result
|-
|rowspan=4| [[79th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]
|[[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]] 
|[[Clint Eastwood]], [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Robert Lorenz]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]] 
|[[Clint Eastwood]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]] 
|[[Iris Yamashita]] and [[Paul Haggis]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Editing]] 
|[[Alan Robert Murray]] and [[Bub Asman]]
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=2|[[64th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
|[[Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]]
|
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Golden Globe Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|rowspan=2|Clint Eastwood
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Berlin Film Festival]]
|[[Cinema for Peace]]
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=3|[[12th Critics' Choice Awards|Critics' Choice Awards]]
|[[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]]
|
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]]
|
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|Clint Eastwood
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan=5| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2006|Chicago Film Critics Association]]
|[[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]]
|
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
|
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|Clint Eastwood
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]]
|Iris Yamashita
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
|[[Kyle Eastwood]] and [[Michael Stevens (composer)|Michael Stevens]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards 2006|Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association]]
|Best Foreign Language Film
|
|{{won}}
|-
|[[2006 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards|Los Angeles Film Critics Association]]
|[[Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
|
|{{won}}
|-
|[[National Board of Review Awards 2006|National Board of Review]]
|[[National Board of Review Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
|
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=2|[[San Diego Film Critics Society Awards 2006|San Diego Film Critics Society]]:
|[[San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Film|Best Film]]
|
|{{won}}
|-
|[[San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|Clint Eastwood
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Japan Academy Film Prize]]
|[[Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Foreign Language Film|Outstanding Foreign Language Film]]
|
|{{won}}
|}

====Top ten lists====
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
* 1st – [[A.O. Scott]], ''[[The New York Times]]''
* 1st – Claudia Puig, ''[[USA Today]]''
* 1st – [[Kenneth Turan]], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' (tied with ''[[Flags of Our Fathers (film)|Flags of our Fathers]]'')
* 1st – Lisa Schwarzbaum, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
* 1st – [[Richard Schickel]], [[Time (magazine)|''TIME'']]
* 1st – Mike McStay, ''Socius''
* 2nd – Frank Scheck, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''
* 2nd – Kirk Honeycutt, ''The Hollywood Reporter''
* 2nd – [[Manohla Dargis]], ''[[The New York Times]]''
* 2nd – Michael Wilmington, ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
* 2nd – Scott Foundas, ''[[LA Weekly]]'' (tied with ''Flags of our Fathers'')
* 3rd – Jack Mathews, ''[[New York Daily News]]'' (tied with '''Flags of our Fathers'')
* 3rd – Nathan Rabin, ''[[The A.V. Club]]''
* 3rd – [[Peter Travers]], ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' (tied with ''Flags of our Fathers'')
{{Col-2}}
* 3rd – [[Shawn Anthony Levy|Shawn Levy]], ''[[The Oregonian]]'' (tied with ''Flags of our Fathers'')
* 3rd – [[Richard Roeper]], ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' (tied with ''Flags of our Fathers'')
* 4th – [[David Ansen]], ''[[Newsweek]]''
* 4th – Marjorie Baumgarten, ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]''
* 5th – [[Michael Phillips (critic)|Michael Phillips]], ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''
* 5th – Michael Rechtshaffen, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''
* 5th – Stephen Holden, ''[[The New York Times]]''
* 5th – Ty Burr, ''[[The Boston Globe]]''
* 6th – Keith Phipps, ''[[The A.V. Club]]''
* 9th – Rene Rodriguez, ''[[The Miami Herald]]''
'''General top ten'''
* Carrie Rickey, ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]''
* [[Joe Morgenstern]], ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''
* Peter Rainer, ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]''
* [[Steven Rea]], ''The Philadelphia Inquirer''
{{Col-end}}

====Other honors====
The film is recognized by [[American Film Institute]] in these lists:
* 2008: [[AFI's 10 Top 10]]:
** Nominated Epic Film<ref>{{cite web|url=http://connect.afi.com/site/DocServer/10top10.pdf?docID=381&AddInterest=1781 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716071937/http://connect.afi.com/site/DocServer/10top10.pdf?docID=381&AddInterest=1781 |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |title=AFI's 10 Top 10 Nominees |format=PDF |access-date=2016-08-19 }}</ref>

==Home media==
''Letters from Iwo Jima'' was released on [[DVD]] by [[Warner Home Video]] on May 22, 2007. It was also released on [[HD DVD]] and [[Blu-ray Disc]]. Furthermore, it was made available for instant viewing with Netflix's "Watch Instantly" feature where available. The film was re-released in 2010 as part of [[Clint Eastwood]]'s tribute collection Clint Eastwood: 35 Films 35 Years at Warner Bros.
The Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition [[DVD]] is also available in a Five-Disc Commemorative Set, which also includes the Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition of ''[[Flags of Our Fathers (film)|Flags of Our Fathers]]'' and a bonus fifth disc containing [[History Channel]]'s "Heroes of Iwo Jima" documentary and ''[[To the Shores of Iwo Jima]]'', a documentary produced by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

The English-dubbed version of DVD was released on June 1, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ASLJPY|title=Letters From Iwo Jima (Ws Sub Dub Ac3 Dol Ecoa) (2006)|website=Amazon|access-date=March 20, 2010|archive-date=March 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325164225/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ASLJPY|url-status=live}}</ref> This version was first aired on cable channel AMC on April 26, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.amctv.com/movie-blog/2008/04/clint-eastwood-iwo-jima.php/|title=Clint Eastwood's Iwo Jima Now in English (2008)|work=www.amctv.com |access-date=March 20, 2010|publisher=[[AMC (TV channel)|AMC]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206142549/http://blogs.amctv.com/movie-blog/2008/04/clint-eastwood-iwo-jima.php|archive-date=February 6, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

; Further reading
* {{cite book|last=Eliot|first=Marc|title=American Rebel: The Life of Clint Eastwood|publisher=[[Harmony Books]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-307-33688-0|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/americanrebellif00elio}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|http://iwojimathemovie.warnerbros.com/lettersofiwojima/framework/framework.html|Letters from Iwo Jima}}
* {{IMDb title|0498380}}
* {{Letterboxd title|letters-from-iwo-jima}}
* {{Rotten-tomatoes|letters_from_iwo_jima}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
* [https://www.interviewinghollywood.com/vincent-guastini.php Video interview with ''Letters from Iwo Jima'' special effects artist Vincent Guastini] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806153731/http://www.interviewinghollywood.com/vincent-guastini.php |date=August 6, 2016 }} at Interviewing Hollywood
* {{cite web|last=Gerow|first=Aaron|title=From Flags of Our Fathers to Letters From Iwo Jima: Clint Eastwood's Balancing of Japanese and American Perspectives|work=Japan Focus|year=2006|url=https://apjjf.org/aaron-gerow/1707/article/2290|access-date=May 29, 2009}}
* {{cite web|last=Ikui|first=Eikoh|title=Letters from Iwo Jima: Japanese Perspectives|work=Japan Focus|year=2007|url=https://apjjf.org/ikui-eikoh/2417/article/2417|access-date=May 29, 2009}}

{{Clint Eastwood}}
{{Paul Haggis}}
{{Steven Spielberg}}
{{Navboxes
|title= Awards for ''Letters from Iwo Jima''
|list1=
{{Academy Award Best Sound Editing}}
{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film}}
{{Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film}}
{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film}}
{{Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film 1990–2009}}
{{Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Foreign Language Film}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Film}}
{{National Board of Review Award for Best Film}}
{{Nikkan Sports Film Award for Best Foreign Film}}
{{San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Film}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Letters From Iwo Jima}}
[[Category:2006 films]]
[[Category:2000s Japanese-language films]]
[[Category:2006 drama films]]
[[Category:2000s war drama films]]
[[Category:American war drama films]]
[[Category:Japanese war drama films]]
[[Category:Battle of Iwo Jima films]]
[[Category:Pacific War films]]
[[Category:Best Foreign Language Film Golden Globe winners]]
[[Category:Films based on multiple works]]
[[Category:Films directed by Clint Eastwood]]
[[Category:Films produced by Clint Eastwood]]
[[Category:Films produced by Robert Lorenz]]
[[Category:Films produced by Steven Spielberg]]
[[Category:Films set in Okinawa Prefecture]]
[[Category:Films set in the 1940s]]
[[Category:Films set in 2005]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chicago]]
[[Category:Films shot in Houston]]
[[Category:Films shot in Iceland]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films shot in Tokyo]]<!--Iwo Jima is part of Tokyo-->
[[Category:Films shot in Virginia]]
[[Category:Films that won the Best Sound Editing Academy Award]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Paul Haggis]]
[[Category:Films about the United States Marine Corps]]
[[Category:Amblin Entertainment films]]
[[Category:Malpaso Productions films]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Pictures films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]
[[Category:Japanese-language American films]]
[[Category:Japan in non-Japanese culture]]
[[Category:American World War II films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:Films about letters (message)]]