Kempeitai were like the military police of the Japanese Army. Kind of like the Gestapo. That's why they thought he was a undercover plant in their unit at first.
Most, if not all of the lower-rank-and-file soldiers are fictional, but General Tadamichi Kuribayashi and Baron Nishi were real people as portrayed in the film. Very few Japanese soldiers survived Iwo Jima and even fewer can historically verify the true fate of Kuribayashi, whose remains were never discovered nor how exactly he died. Kuribayashi's son believes that his father was killed by artillery in the last battle and was immediately buried by soldiers nearby tasked to do that exactly. The US Marines couldn't identify his body from the rest as all officer's insignia were removed beforehand. His grandson is currently in politics. *Not-so fun fact:* The last Japanese soldier to officially surrender on Iwo Jima was in _1949_ . To put that into perspective, the Chinese Civil War finally ended and the Korean War would kick off next year.
Only Veterans of the battle from both sides and active Marines are allowed on the island for the most part. Special quests are allowed from time to time. Not sure if descendants of Veterans are allowed now that most are gone
I saw “not sure if it’s still this way” there’s only one day a year when non military people can be on the island, and there has to be a good reason why. Documentaries and so on. I’m not sure how the handful of RUclipsrs got permission, but they are extremely lucky. I wish I could go there and pay my respects to both sides.
@@ryanbuckley5529 To my knowledge, the entire island is designated hallowed ground - essentially a graveyard which no one should simply walk around freely unless they were paying their respects
The US returned Iwo Jima to Japan a long time ago. All US soldiers and Marines buried on Iwo Jima were exhumed and returned to the US for reburial before the turnover. Iwo Jima is now a military reservation of the Japanese Self Defense Force and is closed to the public.
33:35 According to the ancient Samurai code of Bushido, an warrior (in this case a Imperial Japanese officer) cannot surrender. To surrender in Japanese culture was the highest dishonor and disgrace. It was drilled into all of them that surrender is not an option, unless directly ordered so by the Emperor. If you surrender, then you become virtually a non-person in Japanese society and your family would be shunned by their neighbors for "raising a coward" unless they "atone for their dishonor" by committing suicide. This would also help the "dishonored soul" to find Heaven rather than linger in disgrace in the afterlife. When faced with the prospect of surrender, a Japanese officer would have his second behead him with a Samurai sword after he disemboweled himself with a short sword. Whenever that was impractical, they just pulled their pistols and shot themselves.
more on the pacific theater: "Tora! Tora! Tora!" (1970) *True Story* "The Great Raid" (2005) *True Story* "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) "In Harm's Way" (1965) *fictionalized based on real people and events* "Windtalkers" (2002)
If you want to explore the Japanese perspective on the war… watch these… The Emperor in August (2015) Eternal Zero (2013) Onoda, 10000 nights in the jungle (2021) Yamato (2005) Isoroku (2011) The Human Condition (1959-1961)
Great review Toni and David as always. This one is a great movie to watch as it fills in so much more about the Japanese version of the war. Up until this movie, Japanese were often betrayed as monsters and villains. But when Eastwood produced it he wanted a film that could also be something for the Japanese people to look to understand the war from their point of view. The militant Japanese army leaders had controlled Japan for so long their culture rarely put a value of being humans, part culture as well as a way to demonstrate strength. So it is a really good film trying to help the Japanese people come to terms with the war and that part of their history. I thought I read that this was all fictionalized and the letters as well as the soldier in the end did not exist, but were means to help Japanese society view the war. If I may suggest two follow up movies- when you have a chance watch Midway either the 70s version or the 2019 version is very good. The 2019 version is very very good. It can help understand the war in the Pacific very well, personally I would have suggested that before you watched the Pacific, but it very good to watch as a movie. Then the Emperor is an outstanding movie about the end of the war, it fills in so much of how both countries started the path of healing after WW2. Always looking forward to more!!!😊
Thank you for reacting to this movie!! This movie hits me as hard as Saving Private Ryan. It took me some days to process it. I hope more people watch this.
"For dramatic effect". I said the SAME thing, just before you did. As for, which one is better. I can't say. That's like two sides of the same coin. I loved that the Japanese were not just cardboard cutouts.
Wow, what a very Interesting Story indeed!🥲Great Reaction and Great Editing too👏Thank You 'Both' again for this one tonight💝it's always a Privilege and a Pleasure to hang-out with My Friends!👍
I'm glad you guys reacted to this because many people haven't! Now you guys have to watch Flags of our Fathers which I would've recommended doing first if you already haven't! Edit: looks like you have 😂
I've only sailed by Iwo Jima while I was in the Marines in 82. It is a very lonely place. Only a few Islands near by. It is within Tokyos prefect. Making the Island within the Tokyo city limits. There is no tourism on Iwo Jima. Special events, ceremonies have to be cleared with tht Japanese Self Defense Forces and Government. If you want to understand the reasons why the Japanese military was the way it was. I would suggest that you see some RUclips viedos about the Samurais.
Just a reminder because I don’t think I’ve seen it mentioned on either of this pair of movies but this is also the battle in which John Basilone died towards the end of the Pacific series
This movie, and Isoroku (about Yamamoto) are the best portrayals of Japanese in WWII). January 6, 1949 was when the last Japanese soldier surrendered on Iwo.
I thought it was funny when I saw that Pearl Harbor gets visited by many, many Japanese tourists. Stands to reason, I guess, that Americans would visit Iwo Jima.
What a strange choice at this time. Doesn't really flow with your recent picks and during a "Halloween" themed month. Nothing like a good, bloody, sad, war film to keep the festive energy going. 🤔🙃
I wasn't "complaining". If I didn't appreciate Dave and Toni, I wouldnt subscribe and tune in. I was, and still am, curious. The point of doing these "reactions" is to drive "likes", " views" and "new subscribers ". I would imagine a li/le better strategy might make this channel more prominent. ✌️@pradasquirtle6548
Why must you watch War Movies? I hate Cheese, all that power he had, and he picked ANOTHER war movie! We saw The Pacific series and other war movies. Stop with them, please. We see war on the news!!
@@Gurp2 I watch this channel all the time. I've sent them 30 DVDs, give in "Superchats", plus I have "2 slots" on their monthly wheel as a subscriber, so I have a right to say something. I'm not criticizing Toni and David, I am talking about people selected who choose depressing war movies. There are wars all over the world RIGHT NOW. And these movies only give Toni grief. We need to watch more comedies, thrillers and adventures instead, films that are not necessarily real, but provide temporary excitement...
@@matthewprince9705 people like what they like just like you like what you like. who are you to judge someone’s taste just bc you don’t share the same interests as them.
@@matthewprince9705 That's really harsh, what you said about Cheese. He was picked fairly, and it's his choice to pick the movie for David and Toni. Just because you've done this or that doesn't make you any better than anyone else. I know they are absolutely grateful for what you've done for them, but don't take it to a level that it's not. We're all equal here. If anyone has the power, it's David and Toni, this is their channel.
Nobody hated the Imperial Japanese Army like the Imperial Japanese Navy and vice versa.
Kempeitai were like the military police of the Japanese Army. Kind of like the Gestapo. That's why they thought he was a undercover plant in their unit at first.
I always liked this film, and thought it didn't get the attention it deserves. This is the first time I've seen anyone react to it.
No one likes to watch a war film from enemy point of view. Deals with it.
@@jasonchao343 yeah people absolutely hated Downfall, or Quiet in the Western Front
Most, if not all of the lower-rank-and-file soldiers are fictional, but General Tadamichi Kuribayashi and Baron Nishi were real people as portrayed in the film.
Very few Japanese soldiers survived Iwo Jima and even fewer can historically verify the true fate of Kuribayashi, whose remains were never discovered nor how exactly he died. Kuribayashi's son believes that his father was killed by artillery in the last battle and was immediately buried by soldiers nearby tasked to do that exactly. The US Marines couldn't identify his body from the rest as all officer's insignia were removed beforehand. His grandson is currently in politics.
*Not-so fun fact:* The last Japanese soldier to officially surrender on Iwo Jima was in _1949_ . To put that into perspective, the Chinese Civil War finally ended and the Korean War would kick off next year.
Props to you guys for watching this one. It's really under-represented in reactions despite being such an excellent movie.
It was great to see Iwo Jima from the Japanese point of view. Kudos to Clint Eastwood for giving us both sides of the story and the war.
Clint Eastwood is phenomenal.
Only Veterans of the battle from both sides and active Marines are allowed on the island for the most part. Special quests are allowed from time to time. Not sure if descendants of Veterans are allowed now that most are gone
I saw “not sure if it’s still this way” there’s only one day a year when non military people can be on the island, and there has to be a good reason why. Documentaries and so on. I’m not sure how the handful of RUclipsrs got permission, but they are extremely lucky. I wish I could go there and pay my respects to both sides.
@@ryanbuckley5529 To my knowledge, the entire island is designated hallowed ground - essentially a graveyard which no one should simply walk around freely unless they were paying their respects
@@SSgtJ0hns0n I know they are not allowed to enter any tunnels or keep any souvenirs like bullet shell casings
The sand is black because it was burnt by the lava from the nearby volcano of Mount Surabachi.
The US returned Iwo Jima to Japan a long time ago. All US soldiers and Marines buried on Iwo Jima were exhumed and returned to the US for reburial before the turnover.
Iwo Jima is now a military reservation of the Japanese Self Defense Force and is closed to the public.
33:35 According to the ancient Samurai code of Bushido, an warrior (in this case a Imperial Japanese officer) cannot surrender. To surrender in Japanese culture was the highest dishonor and disgrace. It was drilled into all of them that surrender is not an option, unless directly ordered so by the Emperor. If you surrender, then you become virtually a non-person in Japanese society and your family would be shunned by their neighbors for "raising a coward" unless they "atone for their dishonor" by committing suicide. This would also help the "dishonored soul" to find Heaven rather than linger in disgrace in the afterlife.
When faced with the prospect of surrender, a Japanese officer would have his second behead him with a Samurai sword after he disemboweled himself with a short sword. Whenever that was impractical, they just pulled their pistols and shot themselves.
Thanks for reacting to this movie, not many did on youtube
more on the pacific theater:
"Tora! Tora! Tora!" (1970) *True Story*
"The Great Raid" (2005) *True Story*
"The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957)
"In Harm's Way" (1965) *fictionalized based on real people and events*
"Windtalkers" (2002)
If you want to explore the Japanese perspective on the war… watch these…
The Emperor in August (2015)
Eternal Zero (2013)
Onoda, 10000 nights in the jungle (2021)
Yamato (2005)
Isoroku (2011)
The Human Condition (1959-1961)
Never seen it looking forward to seeing your reactions 🎉❤
Great review Toni and David as always. This one is a great movie to watch as it fills in so much more about the Japanese version of the war. Up until this movie, Japanese were often betrayed as monsters and villains. But when Eastwood produced it he wanted a film that could also be something for the Japanese people to look to understand the war from their point of view. The militant Japanese army leaders had controlled Japan for so long their culture rarely put a value of being humans, part culture as well as a way to demonstrate strength. So it is a really good film trying to help the Japanese people come to terms with the war and that part of their history. I thought I read that this was all fictionalized and the letters as well as the soldier in the end did not exist, but were means to help Japanese society view the war.
If I may suggest two follow up movies- when you have a chance watch Midway either the 70s version or the 2019 version is very good. The 2019 version is very very good. It can help understand the war in the Pacific very well, personally I would have suggested that before you watched the Pacific, but it very good to watch as a movie. Then the Emperor is an outstanding movie about the end of the war, it fills in so much of how both countries started the path of healing after WW2.
Always looking forward to more!!!😊
Yes❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you for reacting to this movie!! This movie hits me as hard as Saving Private Ryan. It took me some days to process it. I hope more people watch this.
Letters from Iwo Jim... nice 😍❤️
"For dramatic effect". I said the SAME thing, just before you did.
As for, which one is better. I can't say. That's like two sides of the same coin.
I loved that the Japanese were not just cardboard cutouts.
Thank you again for reacting to this. Like y'alls content!
Wow, what a very Interesting Story indeed!🥲Great Reaction and Great Editing too👏Thank You 'Both' again for this one tonight💝it's always a Privilege and a Pleasure to hang-out with My Friends!👍
Iwo Jima is a very small island, only 26 square kilometers. Compare that to Basco island in the northernmost Philippines, which is 49 km2.
Thank you for watching.
From a Japanese person.
Looking forward to this, almost no one reacts to it.
I'm glad you guys reacted to this because many people haven't! Now you guys have to watch Flags of our Fathers which I would've recommended doing first if you already haven't!
Edit: looks like you have 😂
correct however, opened once a year in February for the U.S. Marines and Japanese Army to pay tribute.
I've only sailed by Iwo Jima while I was in the Marines in 82. It is a very lonely place. Only a few Islands near by. It is within Tokyos prefect. Making the Island within the Tokyo city limits.
There is no tourism on Iwo Jima. Special events, ceremonies have to be cleared with tht Japanese Self Defense Forces and Government.
If you want to understand the reasons why the Japanese military was the way it was. I would suggest that you see some RUclips viedos about the Samurais.
Just a reminder because I don’t think I’ve seen it mentioned on either of this pair of movies but this is also the battle in which John Basilone died towards the end of the Pacific series
This movie, and Isoroku (about Yamamoto) are the best portrayals of Japanese in WWII). January 6, 1949 was when the last Japanese soldier surrendered on Iwo.
Toni will be a crying wreck in this one.
amen
You should do older war movies. "Patton", "The Battle of Britain", "Where Eagles Dare, "The Big Red One"
I missed most of the premier. I've seen "Flags", but not "Letters". Might rewatch.
If you haven’t seen Van Helsing or Underworld I would recommend those for Halloween
I thought it was funny when I saw that Pearl Harbor gets visited by many, many Japanese tourists. Stands to reason, I guess, that Americans would visit Iwo Jima.
If the two soldiers hadn't shot both of the Japanese prisoners they would have been dead.
react to my way
What a strange choice at this time. Doesn't really flow with your recent picks and during a "Halloween" themed month. Nothing like a good, bloody, sad, war film to keep the festive energy going. 🤔🙃
i believe it was a september pick of the month so the reaction most likely came out later than planned
Then it could have waited until November, on or near the 11th, to commemorate Veteran's Day or something. Makes no sense.
@@lorioday8528it makes no sense why you’re complaining about it when you don’t have to watch it lol
@@lorioday8528you could’ve just ignored this video and kept watching the other halloween themed movies that they’ve been reacting to
I wasn't "complaining". If I didn't appreciate Dave and Toni, I wouldnt subscribe and tune in. I was, and still am, curious. The point of doing these "reactions" is to drive "likes", " views" and "new subscribers ". I would imagine a li/le better strategy might make this channel more prominent. ✌️@pradasquirtle6548
Why must you watch War Movies? I hate Cheese, all that power he had, and he picked ANOTHER war movie! We saw The Pacific series and other war movies. Stop with them, please. We see war on the news!!
then don’t watch it lol
Their channel, their choice.
Don't like it, move on to another video of *'your'* choice.
@@Gurp2 I watch this channel all the time. I've sent them 30 DVDs, give in "Superchats", plus I have "2 slots" on their monthly wheel as a subscriber, so I have a right to say something. I'm not criticizing Toni and David, I am talking about people selected who choose depressing war movies. There are wars all over the world RIGHT NOW. And these movies only give Toni grief. We need to watch more comedies, thrillers and adventures instead, films that are not necessarily real, but provide temporary excitement...
@@matthewprince9705 people like what they like just like you like what you like. who are you to judge someone’s taste just bc you don’t share the same interests as them.
@@matthewprince9705 That's really harsh, what you said about Cheese. He was picked fairly, and it's his choice to pick the movie for David and Toni. Just because you've done this or that doesn't make you any better than anyone else. I know they are absolutely grateful for what you've done for them, but don't take it to a level that it's not. We're all equal here. If anyone has the power, it's David and Toni, this is their channel.