Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)

Kazunari Ninomiya: Saigo

Photos 

Quotes 

• Saigo : We can die here, or we can continue fighting. Which would better serve the emperor?

• General Tadamichi Kuribayashi : You are quite a soldier

  Saigo : No, just a simple baker

• Saigo : [a letter to Saigo's wife]  We soldiers dig. We dig all day. This is the hole that we will fight and die in. Am I digging my own grave?

• [door opens] 

  Lead Woman : Congratulations! Your husband is going to war.

  Saigo : Thank you very much. I'm happy to serve the country.

  Lead Woman : [Lead Woman stares piercingly at Saigo and steps forward]  Prayers for your eternal success at arms.

  Hanako : [desperately]  I beg of you! We have only each other.

  Lead Woman : [Lead Woman shouts - scolding Hanako angrily]  Mrs. Saigo! *This* is not the time.

  [firmly] 

  Lead Woman : We have all sent our husbands and sons to war. We all have to do our part.

  [looking down at Hanako's baby bump, and then... sympathetically] 

  Lead Woman : At least you'll have a little one to carry on your name.

  [Lead Woman bows with authority and walks away] 

• Shimizu : [On dying]  For our country it is an honour.

  Saigo : Kashiwara died of honourable dysentery

• Saigo : He studied the Americans. So he knows how to beat them.

• Saigo : Thank you very much. I'm happy to serve the country.