Cage: Code talkers recognition overdue

Cage stars in the upcoming 'Windtalkers'

Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage stars in the upcoming film 'Windtalkers,' about the Navajo code talkers, U.S. Marines who created a code never broken by the Japanese during World War II. They're being honored in Washington today, and Cage talked with CNN's Eileen O'Connor about his role and the bravery of the code talkers.

O'CONNOR: Mr. Cage, do you think that the code talkers were short changed until now?

CAGE: Well, I certainly don't think that they got the glory they deserve, and I think it's overdue. I am glad this is happening, and I am very happy to be part of the ceremony this afternoon. I think it's important to recognize the bravery of the men that were involved, and most people don't know that Navajo Native Americans were actually Marines and fought alongside us.

VIDEO CNN's Eileen O'Connor talks to actor Nicholas Cage regarding the Navajo Code Talkers who played an important role in WW II (July 26) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   MORE STORIES Navajo code talkers honored after 56 years

O'CONNOR: And tell me about your role. What did you look at when you were studying this. Had you ever heard of the code talkers before?

CAGE: I had never heard of it. I thought that that was fascinating, because it was new to me. I like movies that deal with mixing cultures and movies about people, so any chance I could get to find something that would incorporate different cultures was interesting to me. And this was unique.

O'CONNOR: Some of the code talkers, while being very happy that Hollywood is again honoring them, have been critical and upset that your role as bodyguard is really the heroic role in the film. Do you have any comment on that?

CAGE: I can't really speak to that. I mean, everyone's entitled to their opinion, although Adam Beach's character -- he plays the Navajo radioman -- is very heroic in the movie, and I think when people see the film, they will catch that.

O'CONNOR: Why do you think that it took so long to get this Congressional medal for them?

CAGE: Apathy? I don't know. Maybe people just didn't believe it was there, or care to look or understand that it was, and now they know, and they are doing something about it.