Letters from Iwo Jima

Letters From Iwo Jima

IWO JIMA

How did those soldiers ever manage to dig out these tunnels?

Let's get a rotation in here.

Hey, I found something!

IWO JIMA

Hanako...

We soldiers dig.

We dig all day.

This is the hole that we will fight...

and die in.

Hanako...

am I digging my own grave?

Today, I head for the post where my men await.

I am determined to serve and give my life for my country.

I believe I have organized everything at home...

but I am sorry I wasn 't able to attend to the kitchen floor before I left.

I had all the intention...

but had to leave without having the time...

and I am still worried about it.

So make sure to have Taro take care of it promptly.

Damn this island! The Americans can have it.

Nothing grows here.

It smells. It's hot. There are too many damn bugs, and there's no water.

This island is part of Japan's sacred homeland.

There's nothing sacred about this island.

Saigo.

We should just give the island to the Americans...

and then we can go home.

Saigo!

What did you say, soldier?

I said if we beat the Americans, then we can go home.

You there, is that what he said?

Yes, sir.

I'm Kuribayashi.

Welcome, General. I am Admiral Ohsugi.

How long have you been waiting here for me?

Three hours, sir.

Sorry to hear that.

They wouldn't allow me to wire my arrival...

after what happened to Admiral Yamamoto.

I understand, sir.

This is my aide, Lieutenant Fujita.

What's the matter, Admiral? You don't look very well.

It's nothing, sir. The water doesn't agree with me here.

Sorry to hear that.

This way to your quarters.

Admiral, I want to make a round of the island first.

Shall I fetch a vehicle?

No, let's walk.

Walking is good for the health.

It might be just what you need, Ohsugi.

So that's Suribachi.

You unpatriotic...

no-good peasants!

Hey, stop it!

Stand up!

What are you doing?

These soldiers...

were conspiring with unpatriotic words, sir.

I see.

And, Captain, do you have such an excess of soldiers...

that you could put two of them out of commission?

No, sir.

Then stop beating them.

Deny their lunch rations instead.

A good captain uses his brain, not just his whip.

What is all this?

All this?

Trenches, sir.

Why are the men digging trenches here?

This is where the Americans are expected to land.

Have them stop immediately.

But, General...

And, Captain...

make sure these men get proper breaks.

They look like they're from Mars.

Stop digging!

Just as well.

My stomach has been bothering me anyway.

A toast to General Kuribayashi...

a fine commander.

Better than sake!

I heard he lived in America.

Maybe that's why he doesn't want us digging trenches.

Maybe he likes Americans.

No, stupid. He studied the Americans.

So now he knows how to beat them.

I heard from someone in the 204th...

that another general was supposed to command the island...

but he didn't want the job.

So Premier Tojo gave it to Kuribayashi instead.

Nozaki, you hear a lot of things...

but your ears are full of wax!

Anyway, you can't trust anyone from the 204th.

They're part of the Navy.

I think this Kuribayashi must be a superb general.

Look...

we're not digging those damn trenches in the sand anymore, are we?

This heat is more than I had anticipated.

This island is bigger than I thought. I'm exhausted.

Ito, reporting for duty.

Thank you for coming right away.

How much air force do we have available?

41 Zekes and 13 bombers, sir.

Is that all?

In order to support Saipan, we lost 66 planes a few days ago.

We will have to rely on support from the Combined Fleet then.

Is this the current defense plan?

And what about the Army troops? Where will they be stationed?

I don't know exactly.

They are under independent command of Colonel Adachi.

You have not coordinated your plans with the Army?

According to Navy rules, until the enemy lands...

This is a real war! You are aware of that, aren't you?

This will not work.

You are concentrating all your efforts on the beaches.

- Move the artillery to higher ground. - But, sir, we just had them...

moved down to the beaches.

Well, move them back.

Coordinate with the Army and have them start immediately.

Fortifications at Suribachi are the priority.

I'm going to walk some more.

- It's pitch black out there, sir. - I know.

This one is trouble.

Army commanders usually are, sir.

Another letter?

You know that the mail only goes out when there's a boat available?

I have a lot of family.

Then how come all your letters are addressed to your wife?

Nosey!

Here, let me do you a favor.

Otherwise, your letters will never make it through.

Hey, what are you doing?

I used to work at the censorship office in Tokyo before I was transferred.

You mean demoted.

"To Hanako: We soldiers dig. We dig all day."

No, no, no. This will never pass.

Give me that back!

There. You'll thank me for this later, Saigo.

Next!

Good!

Are you blind?

Can't you see the target?

Even my six-year-old could shoot better than you do.

Do it again!

You're an embarrassment! You call yourself an Imperial soldier?

Tonight you will clean the boots of your entire troop.

Go to the rear!

They should learn to clean their guns properly, rather than their boots.

What are those tanks doing here?

Those are out of commission, sir. They are waiting for parts.

- For how long? - About a month, sir.

Taro, America is filled with cars.

I have to be very careful when I cross the street...

there are so many cars everywhere.

Taro, are you behaving yourself and listening to your mother?

I miss you.

These civilians need to be evacuated as soon as possible.

Yes, sir.

Hanako...

we have a celebrity here.

Baron Nishi, the Olympic gold medalist in horse jumping.

He will lead the 26th tank regiment...

and has just arrived from Tokyo.

Nishi is very handsome, and there are rumors of his womanizing skills.

But there are no women left on the island to woo.

Lieutenant Colonel Nishi! You brought your horse.

From Chichi Jima.

I used to be a cavalryman myself, you know.

Of course, I know.

I've been looking forward to serving under you.

One who understands horses the way I do.

When we used to ride horses through the battlefield...

those were the good old days...

not like these mechanized contraptions.

I could send for another horse...

and we could ride together.

I'm afraid my riding days are over.

But tell me about this famous horse of yours that you won the Olympics with.

My stallion, Uranus.

Oh, yes, this horse has a fine back.

I bought him in Italy.

They were happy to get rid of him.

He was such a wild horse.

No one could tame the beast, but I told them...

such a headstrong horse...

is a perfect match for me.

Come dine with me tonight. I feel like having a drink.

I think that can be arranged.

How did you manage to get the Johnnie Walker?

I drank some already.

I'm sorry. This is all we have.

That's fine, as long as we have this.

What is this empty plate?

I have told our cook that all officers...

will have the same rations and food as our men.

I'm sorry, but serving three dishes is regulation.

Oh, but of course we have the right to be served more than three dishes per meal.

You're absolutely right.