Posted on 10/19/2006 8:30:57 AM PDT by Valin
It is Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry”-esque directing approach - not the star-studded cast - that “Flags of Our Fathers” actor Barry Pepper credits for the oh-so-real on-screen re-enactment of World War II’s bloody Battle of Iwo Jima.
“Eastwood didn’t rehearse anything,” Sgt. Michael Strank’s alter-ego told the Track. “So we didn’t know when these massive explosions were going to be sending a ton of sand in the air or where the weapons were going to be fired.”
Battered from a blast, the startled stars would voice their surprise to Eastwood after a take. But Pepper said the Oscar winner would “just smile and say, ‘Well your look was accordingly perfect.’ ”
“That was exactly what he had in mind to get these incredibly accurate emotions of these young, 18- or 19-year-old kids scared and out of their element,” said Pepper, who also appeared in “Saving Private Ryan.”
And if an actor sustained an injury during a scene, Pepper said you had to bite the bullet and get stitched up later.
“He doesn’t wait for anybody to have their actor weeny moment,” the war movie veteran laughed. “He just expects that you are a mature actor and you can get through the film. If you don’t, then you are just left in the dust because he can pretty much take you or leave you. He’ll shoot the movie without you!”
Pepper witnessed Eastwood’s tough love first-hand when a “squib-hit” blew up in his face, bloodying his lip.
“A medic came up to me after the shot and told me I had to go to the hospital,” he recalled. “But I went up to Eastwood and said, ‘I’m not leaving because I know you - and you’ll shoot the day without me! I won’t be in the movie!’ He laughed and said, ‘Good, because it’s a long way from your heart.’ ”
Then the 76-year-old icon reached over and plucked a 1-inch copper wire that had piercedPepper’s lip adding, “But, you might want to take this out first.”
Yikes! Was Eastwood channeling Gen. Patton???
“Flags of Our Fathers” tells the story of the six men who raised the second flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford and Adam Beach portray the three survivors who are shipped back home and whisked off on a propaganda tour to raise money for the war effort.
“Flags of Our Fathers” opens in theaters tomorrow.
Too bad we can't move 'em to Taiwan.
Thank you for your service.
The Lost Battalion was a pretty good flick and "based" on a true story.
I have. Please see post #38.
But only if they call it NUTS! There's a great 20-minute film at the Bastogne Historical Center that details the battle. I wonder if you can find a copy in the US?
The Battle of Savo Island is one of the most gripping battles, in my opinion.
Part of the reason (and it is nearly unknown to the general public nowadays) is that we and the Japanese had a hand on each other's throat and were fairly evenly matched at that point in many ways.
Everyone seems to think that the victory against Japan was a foregone conclusion...but in 1942 things were very much in doubt, and we got our asses kicked but good at Savo. But we did learn from the loss of so many men.
Well. To be honest, I avoid saying "Good God" in a public forum, because many people take offense to it. And I can get the point across without using God's name.
That's all. Glad you found it...humorous...:)
I'm with dfwgator (post 90). The casting of Schwimmer (and his acting)
really caught Sobel...a driven, @$$hole of a guy who whipped Easy
Company into shape and got them tough enough to deal with adversity ("unfairness"),
but not the man to actually run the show in wartime.
I've read the book and watched the video about twice.
It's gonna' be hard to improve on it. (IMHO, of course!)
"‘Well your look was accordingly perfect.’ "
Do you feel lucky? Excellent
"...Shortly thereafter Captain Sobel shot himself. He botched it.
Eventually he died in September 1988. His funeral was a sad affair.
His ex-wife did not come to it, nor did his sons, nor did any member of
E Company."
from the book, p.299, ISBN 0743216385
WWII Japanese leadership was mis-founded on insularity, an ethno-centric world view, racism, and Bushido, among other things. The results were misery for the Allied troops that faced them, the civilians of the countries they occupied, and ultimately, their own troops. War is always hell but fighting the Japanese in WWII was truly a lower hell than most.
Actors usually make mediocre directors, but Eastwood is the exception. He has directed some dazzling movies that are putting regular, mainstream directors to shame.
I have nejoyed Pepper in every movie I have ever seen him act in.
I think it is grand that you avoid taking the Lord's name in vain.
Anyone else read "The Last of the Tin Can Sailors.
Here! :-)
Kitty Mitten, you will find lovely words at Jackknife's link above!
Thank you, my Dear Sister, for that Wonderful Read! Thank you, Jackknife! Our Lord be Praised for His Work in His Children's Lives!
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