It's a strong, intelligent film - and a deliberately unsatisfying one, since it possesses all the frustrating scrappiness of real life.

Eastwood has been more interested in breaking down myths and showing us the human cost of violence and conflict. Flags of Our Fathers soberly and intelligently continues that tradition.

Flags of Our Fathers is much the same as the classic films it proudly echoes - that war is hell, and though some are worth fighting, doing so exacts a huge human cost that cannot be glorified with the mere waving of Old Glory.

“Flags” and “Iwo Jima” were Mr. Eastwood at his most daring and creative. He made two movies at basically the same time about an historical event from different and previously unknown perspectives. This was an artist at his most insightful and audacious.