If Germany or Japan want to produce movies that explain what their men went through, I have no problem with it. It comes from their perspective and is appropriate, even if somewhat off the mark by my standards.
We lost 6000 plus men on Iwo Jima. It was a hell hole. They were slaughtered by an enemy that was intent on imperialization. Those troops were raised to sacrifice themselves for the Emperor, someone they believed to be a god on earth.
Our men were there for no other reason than to stop them. If the Japanese hadn't set out on a plan to capture land and rule over it, our men wouldn't have had to die.
It really tweaks me to have someone explain how tough the Japanese had it. Imagine sitting in a foxhole getting your ass shot at, and having to expose yourself to enemy fire. Then realize that some puddin' headed nin-compoop is going to tell how tough those guys had it, that are shooting your comrads and may blow you to hell any second.
This is a disgrace, IMO.
Thanks for serving men. Oh by the way, do you mind if I humanize those who were raping and pilaging and taking your friend's lives?
"This is a disgrace, IMO. "
He knows the formula required to make a box office hit and is applying it. Truth is a fatality in that process.
You're missing the point. Nobody is expecting you to sympathize with the Japanese. But, you do actually shed light on the type of evil vile regime the Japanese were - to even their own people. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Eastwood showing that (if he shows it). It's a perfect opportunity to educate people what dictatorial regimes can force their own people to do. Better to know that history - lessens the chances of repeating it.
I served for 23 years and I don't have a problem with the movie as I understand it. Now, if it was a movie that was reducing the impact our brave men had on the world, I'd have a different point of view.
"A Time to Love" isn't a bad look at the war from the German point of view.