I really, flat out, did not enjoy Flags of our Fathers. At all. The plot jumped around too much, the characters weren’t developed enough, and some of the acting was horrific (yes, i’m looking at you, adam beach.) It did have a good message, and some great battle scenes. All the stuff that actually happened at Iwo Jima was great.

Then I (reluctantly, after seeing Flags) saw Letters from Iwo Jima, and though it had some flaws, it was a very stirring war movie. The performances were great, the story was much more simplified, and the battle scenes were intense.

What I’d like to do is create one, 3 hour movie out of the two films, focusing solely on the battle of Iwo Jima. No “back home” stuff for the American guys. Keep the flashbacks and such to a minimum. Place everything in chronological order. Really just follow the story of this battle from two different perspectives. I think, somewhere there’s a great film in there.

I don’t want to compare myself to a master like ADM, but I’m going for a Pearl Harbor: Strength and Honor type thing with this, and I think an interesting film could come out of it.

I’m working on plans and generating ideas, but I have to wait till Letters gets released somewhere in the world on dvd before I can really begin work. Please toss out any ideas you have about the edit!