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Idea: Red Sun, Black Sand - A Spence edit of Flags of Our Fathers/Letters from Iwo Jima

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 (Edited)

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!

I'm always looking to trade my edits, if you don't want to get them from a torrent. PM or e-mail!
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Sounds like a great idea. Iwo Jima seemingly hasn't made it over to these shores yet (or at least if it has on a hugely limited release) but I can share a lot of mis-givings you had over Flags.

A big tick as far as the idea goes...
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Yeah letters did come out in a few theaters, ive seen it, and its very very good, far superior to Flags but still has a little extra "fluff" that could have easily been excised.
I'm always looking to trade my edits, if you don't want to get them from a torrent. PM or e-mail!
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Sorry - didn't make myself clear - I'm in the UK
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ah, i used to live there, i get what you mean. Still you got hot fuzz before us!

If you get the chance, check out Letters, it's great.
I'm always looking to trade my edits, if you don't want to get them from a torrent. PM or e-mail!
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Dude, I really dig your work and I'd like to see ya take a crack at this.

Lemme know when you do, I'll PIF it for ya.

I've got better things to do tonight than die! - Springer, Transformers the Movie