Band of Brothers (2001)

“Band of Brothers” is the best WWII TV series I have ever seen. This 10 part HBO mini series running 600 minutes tells the story of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division, from their training to their landing in Normandy, their sacrifices, their courage, their fears, the hardship and the cruelty of war. It is a story about a few good men who tried to do what they were trained to do. It forever changed them and their lives. They formed a bond deeper than any bond that is forged during peace. It is their story and it is told with shocking detail and realism.

The DTS soundtrack on this superb DVD box will do its part to draw you right into the forest of Foy, make you duck in your foxhole, hoping the shells won’t hit you. The production is simply put perfect. The colors, the settings, the uniforms, the authenticity, the scale, it will transport you right back to D-Day in a plane full of paratroopers waiting for the green light under heavy artillery trying to make that jump and survive.

The cast is outstanding and the numerous nominations just support that. Damian Lewis (Captain Winters) is simply brilliant and it is not surprising he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance. There is hardly a category that did not get nominated or won something. “Band of Brothers” has an impressive and well deserved list of awards, a Golden Globe for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in 2002 being only one of many.

The miniseries is based on the book “Band of Brothers” written by Stephen Ambrose and it follows the historical events without vilifying or glorifying one side or the other. There is pathos of course but that cannot be avoided. I won’t go into detail regarding the 10 parts here but let me just say that much; once you started watching you will have a hard time stopping. From part 1 “Currahee” to part 9 “Why we fight”, where they find a concentration camp and concluding with the last part “Points” where Easy Company takes “The Eagles Nest”; it is a journey you will and should never forget.

“Band of Brothers” is a tribute to those men of the 101st Airborne Division who fought in Normandy, in Bastogne and all the other places, who gave their lives so that we could live in peace. Treasure life, be grateful, living in peace is not something all people can take for granted. There is always some war somewhere with soldiers giving their lives for others, with bands of brothers whose story will never be told.

10/10