Band of Brothers is a Masterwork (Archive)

My recent purchase of Relic's real-time strategy game Company of Heroes has put me in a World War II mode as of late. I've always been extremely interested in the history surrounding that period of the 20th century and I've long been a fan of WWII films, notably Saving Private Ryan which is on my Top 10 List for favorite films. But a change is in order. While I will always appreciate that film, its spot will be given to HBO's mini-series Band of Brothers.

If you've not had the chance to view this 10-part series, it is spectacular! You can expect it to be well done having been an HBO series, but it is also the work of Saving Private Ryan collaborators Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. In many ways it is the companion production to Ryan but also superior in my opinion, partly because it is a true story of the men of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne during WWII but mostly because, as a whole, it is simply one of the best productions I've ever seen.

Like Ryan, it holds no punches - it has some very graphic sequences and very intense combat sequences throughout. It also features a huge ensemble cast including actors such as Ron Livingston (Office Space), Donnie Wahlberg (Boom Town) and David Schwimmer (Friends) along with actors from across the entertainment industry including Colin Hanks, SNL's Jimmy Fallon and even Battlestar Galactica's Jamie Bamber. The series gets stellar performances across the board and becomes a very immersing experience as it moves along. If there is a weak performance, I've never been able to pick it out.

The series follows the men of Easy Company from their airborne training at Camp Toccoa state side in 1943 all the way through their experiences to the end of the war in 1945, including the pre-dawn airborne assault just hours before the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944 through the Battle of the Bulge to their capturing of Hitler's Eagle Nest in the Alps. The episodes flow together almost effortlessly and yet each one carries a distinctive feel to it, focusing on different characters and aspects of the campaign to liberate Europe. However, the storytelling is expertly done, creating a very real sense of camaraderie as we see the men of Easy change dramatically from their first jump into France to when they find themselves relaxing in the Germany Alps in 1945. Even as 10 episodes, it feels like one film.

One justified critique of Saving Private Ryan is that at times it gets a bit too sentimental and carries an almost forced feeling of its own importance. I never get that feeling from Band of Brothers, and perhaps it is due to it having more time to develop and tell its story than Ryan; it doesn't have to be as rushed. But Band of Brothers features something that really strengthens it and that is that it is set against interviews with the real men who made up Easy. We hear about the events and experiences in their words and then we see it played out on screen. Its an added and important connection. And what John Williams' score was to Ryan, Michael Kamen's score is even more so for Band of Brothers as it conveys much emotion through its refrains and suites without becoming overbearing. It quickly became one of my favorites.

It is evident throughout the series that great care was taken by Spielberg and Hanks and their production team at DreamWorks in adapting Stephen Ambrose' bestselling biographical account. The final product is a compelling, engaging and reverent look at the men who spearheaded the assault to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation of Europe. I have watched it through at least 3 times and appreciate it every time.

Lengthwise it is comparable to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, each episode roughly one hour long, some a bit longer, some shorter. It is likely that most people haven't seen this series for a couple of reasons: a) that they didn't have HBO when it aired in 2001 and b) it has been priced at around $90 since its release on DVD. It is starting to come down in price and I have seen it selling for around $50-$60 at most major retailers. If you haven't seen this series, I comes with my highest recommendation! If you have interest in World War II and haven't already, it is a MUST SEE!

This is hands down one of the best productions I've ever seen and Band of Brothers deservedly takes its place among my Top 10 films... even as a mini-series. 10/10