Sixty-one years ago, the United States and Japanese armies met on Iwo Jima. Decades later, hundreds of letters are unearthed from that stark island's soil. The letters give faces and voices to the men who fought there, as well as the extraordinary general who led them. Leading the defense is Lt. General Tadamichi Kuribayashi. With little defense other than sheer will and the volcanic rock of the island itself, Gen. Kuribayashi's unprecedented tactics transform what was predicted to be a quick and bloody defeat into nearly 40 days of heroic and resourceful combat.

Based on the book "Picture letters from Commander in Chief" by Tadamichi Kuribayashi and book editor Tsuyoko Yoshido. Special features: "Red sun, black sand: the making of Letters from Iwo Jima:" led by Clint Eastwood, take an inside look at the creation of the film with many of the key players involved who brought this epic film together; "The faces of war: the cast of Letters from Iwo Jima:" cast members introduce the characters they portray in the film; "Images from the frontlines: the photography of Letters from Iwo Jima" world premiere at Budo-kan in Tokyo; press conference at Grand Hyatt Tokyo.