‘Heroes’ Tells of Marines at Iwo Jima

On Feb. 23, 1945, two flags were raised over the remote island of Iwo Jima after four days of fierce fighting between American and Japanese forces.

“Heroes of Iwo Jima,” a potent and poignant documentary being shown Sunday on A&E;, tells the compelling story of the dozen Marines who raised those symbols of democracy.

Hosted by Gene Hackman, who joined the Marine Corps at 16, “Heroes” features striking footage of the horrific battles in which one-third of all Marines killed during World War II died fighting to take the island.

The first photograph atop Mt. Suribachi was taken by Lou Lowery, one of four veteran combat photographers who documented every aspect of the battle. Two hours later, Joe Rosenthal of Associated Press snapped the picture of a second group of Marines using a larger flag to replace the original, thereby resulting in one of the war’s most famous images.

Ironically, Rosenthal had been rejected by the Army, Navy and Marines when attempting to enlist because his eyesight was poor. In awarding Rosenthal a Pulitzer Prize, the committee called his memorable picture “a frozen flash of history.”

In recounting his ideal timing on that fateful day, the humble Rosenthal tells producer-director Laura Lexton, “Yes, I’m the fella who took the photograph of the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi, but the Marines took Iwo Jima.”

* “Heroes of Iwo Jima” can be seen Sunday at 9 p.m. on A&E.; The network has rated it TV-G (suitable for all ages).

Surf Report

SPECIALS

“Boys Will Be Men” (noon Sunday, KCET) explores the “terror and triumphs” of adolescence.

Dads who choose to stay indoors on Father’s Day can watch “Dem Bums: The Brooklyn Dodgers” (2:30 p.m. Sunday, KCET), a slice of nostalgia about the team’s history and players such as Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider.

“Planet Storm” (8 and 10 p.m. Sunday, Discovery Channel) examines the solar system’s weather, from the dust storms of Mars to Jupiter’s lightning.

“Guys’ Rooms” (9 p.m. Sunday, HGTV) steps into seven rooms that men have created as their own customized space.

MOVIES

“Night Court” cohorts John Larroquette and Markie Post team up again for the romantic comedy “Till Dad Do Us Part” (8 p.m. Sunday, Fox Family). Larroquette plays a meddling father who finds a new suitor for his engaged daughter.

“Chicken Run” (9 tonight, HBO), one of last summer’s big hits, is a playful parody of escape movies from Nick Park, the creator of “Wallace and Gromit” shorts.

SPORTS

The Dodgers and Angels complete their interleague series in Anaheim tonight at 7 on KCAL and Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox Sports Net.