Tadamichi Kuribayashi - in Popular Culture

In Popular Culture

Kuribayashi became known to an international audience after being portrayed onscreen in the film Letters from Iwo Jima. The film depicts General Kuribayashi as a tragic hero whose devotion to his country is tempered by a knowledge of the enemy's humanity. In one scene, Kuribayashi declares, "I have sworn to fight to the death to protect my family, but somehow the memory of my family makes it hard to keep that promise."

When a staff officer accuses him of betraying bushido, Kuribayashi responds, "The tunnel-digging may be futile. The stand on Iwo Jima may be futile. Maybe the whole war is futile. Would you give up then? We will defend this island until we are dead! Until the very last soldier is dead! If our children can live safely for one more day, it would be worth the one more day that we defend this island!"

According to screenwriter Iris Yamashita, "Ultimately, I felt that the many nuances of Tadamichi Kuribayashi came to life onscreen under Clint Eastwood's masterful direction and actor Ken Watanabe's deft portrayal, expressing the perfect sense of the balance of the gentleness and warmth of the family man, combined with the strength, practicality and regality of the commanding officer."

Letters from Iwo Jima was released in December 2006 and was nominated for four Academy Awards; including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Sound Editing, which it won.

Eastwood had also directed a precursor, Flags of Our Fathers, which focused on the Marine Corps company responsible for raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.