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on September 2, 2016
I had not watched Band of Brothers on HBO when it was first on. Maybe it wasn't my time to take in this series. A few days ago I painfully watched the last episode of the series. I say "painfully" because I did not want the series to end. After I connected names with faces, I felt like I knew the guys and was nervous with every mission, ambush, and offensive. The last episode, although during the end of the war in Europe, is as emotional for the viewer as a combat episode because you the viewer are letting go of Easy and all the men who fought so valiantly and selflessly. My mom is from Joliet, IL, and Frank Perconte lived in Joliet on my aunt's street. He passed recently. I never met him but I enjoyed him in the series and was very proud of him and his service, as I was of all the real-life soldiers in Band of Borthers . All in all, this is a fantastically well done series, authentic, well written, and balanced. I cannot recommend it enough. As for me, I will watch it again.
TOP 500 REVIEWERon December 14, 2012
In September 2001, only a few days before the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, there began on the Home Box Office (HBO) cable network one of the most extraordinary television mini-series I have ever seen. Entitled "Band of Brothers," that mini-series told in dramatic fashion and with exquisite eloquence the true story of one of the most famous and highly decorated U.S. Army units to fight during World War II: Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. In 2002, "Band of Brothers" was released DVD; in 2008 a six-disc Blu-ray edition was published, and now it is available on Amazon Instant Video in high definition digital format.
For those not familiar with "Band of Brothers," it's based upon the equally outstanding book entitled "Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest," by the late Stephen E. Ambrose. It describes in stunning detail the exploits of Easy Company, from its initial airborne landing in Normandy on D-Day; through its participation in Operation Market-Garden in September 1944 and its tenacious defense of Bastogne in December 1944; to its capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden in April 1945.
The original HBO mini-series is divided into ten episodes, each about one hour long. The entire project - which cost an estimated $125 million to produce - has as its executive producers Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Stephen Ambrose.
With such cinematic luminaries leading the production team, one would expect "Band of Brothers" to be outstanding in every respect, and it does not disappoint. Taken as a whole, the ten episodes provide a highly accurate and faithful chronology of the events narrated by Ambrose in his book, while at the same time providing viewers with superb acting, writing, cinematography, music, costumes, and sound. Taken separately, each episode stands as a powerful and gritty testament to the patriotism, heroism, and character of the men of Easy Company.
It's impossible to describe with full justice how good "Band of Brothers" is. It is, for me, the nearly perfect war chronicle: an accurate depiction of real events; arrayed with a stellar cast, including many unknown actors who have made a name for themselves as a result of their work in this film (among them, most notably: Damian Lewis; Donnie Wahlberg, Ron Livingston; Dale Dye (who also served as the series' military advisor); Frank John Hughes; and Rick Gomez.
I now own the complete "Band of Brothers" miniseries in three formats: DVD (purchased 2003); Blu-Ray (2011); and now in digital format through my Amazon Prime membership. I think the digital format provides the clearest, sharpest, and most vibrant audio and video of the three formats I own. I have already watched several episodes on my Kindle Fire HD, and I can say without hesitation that the experience was superb in every way. It certainly made the purchase of this series well worth the price. (Of course, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can view "Band of Brothers" for free.)
MY VERDICT: No matter what format you own, "Band of Brothers" is truly outstanding. Along with its sister miniseries "The Pacific" (2010), it is simply the best war story I've ever seen in any cinematic medium. Both "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific" deserve honored places in any home video collection.
For those not familiar with "Band of Brothers," it's based upon the equally outstanding book entitled "Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest," by the late Stephen E. Ambrose. It describes in stunning detail the exploits of Easy Company, from its initial airborne landing in Normandy on D-Day; through its participation in Operation Market-Garden in September 1944 and its tenacious defense of Bastogne in December 1944; to its capture of Hitler's Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden in April 1945.
The original HBO mini-series is divided into ten episodes, each about one hour long. The entire project - which cost an estimated $125 million to produce - has as its executive producers Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Stephen Ambrose.
With such cinematic luminaries leading the production team, one would expect "Band of Brothers" to be outstanding in every respect, and it does not disappoint. Taken as a whole, the ten episodes provide a highly accurate and faithful chronology of the events narrated by Ambrose in his book, while at the same time providing viewers with superb acting, writing, cinematography, music, costumes, and sound. Taken separately, each episode stands as a powerful and gritty testament to the patriotism, heroism, and character of the men of Easy Company.
It's impossible to describe with full justice how good "Band of Brothers" is. It is, for me, the nearly perfect war chronicle: an accurate depiction of real events; arrayed with a stellar cast, including many unknown actors who have made a name for themselves as a result of their work in this film (among them, most notably: Damian Lewis; Donnie Wahlberg, Ron Livingston; Dale Dye (who also served as the series' military advisor); Frank John Hughes; and Rick Gomez.
I now own the complete "Band of Brothers" miniseries in three formats: DVD (purchased 2003); Blu-Ray (2011); and now in digital format through my Amazon Prime membership. I think the digital format provides the clearest, sharpest, and most vibrant audio and video of the three formats I own. I have already watched several episodes on my Kindle Fire HD, and I can say without hesitation that the experience was superb in every way. It certainly made the purchase of this series well worth the price. (Of course, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can view "Band of Brothers" for free.)
MY VERDICT: No matter what format you own, "Band of Brothers" is truly outstanding. Along with its sister miniseries "The Pacific" (2010), it is simply the best war story I've ever seen in any cinematic medium. Both "Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific" deserve honored places in any home video collection.
on July 27, 2017
This series by HBO is almost more of a docementary than a T.V. series for entertainment. The story-line seems very real and grabs your attention for the length of the series. Each episode focuses on an integral part of Easy Company's journey through WWII. At times the series focuses on boot camp, the officers, how the medics function in the heat of battle (or cold), and the relationships between soliders. This series has a similar style to Saving Private Ryan, which I also enjoyed, but the detail seems more in depth. This is a must-watch WWII series.
on August 13, 2017
Well it's not exactly a movie but it is probably one of the best war movies ever made. It tells the story of easy company in the hundred first airborne from its training through the end of the war in Europe. The movie does a good job of depicting War for the average Soldier and how brutal it can be. It can be pretty intense in places.
I don't think many people realize the huge number of casualties that line companies had during combat in World War II.
I don't think many people realize the huge number of casualties that line companies had during combat in World War II.
on February 24, 2017
In my opinion. The greatest mini series of all time. The beautiful European backdrops, which turn to war torn hell on earth.
The characters, missions and the end game. The camaraderie, heartbreaks, sounds of bombs and gunfire.
Hard to beat this series. Nothing even comes close.
The characters, missions and the end game. The camaraderie, heartbreaks, sounds of bombs and gunfire.
Hard to beat this series. Nothing even comes close.
on September 20, 2016
One of the best WWII movies out there - modern style of course. Old stuff like Tora!Tora!Tora!, Bridge Over River Kwai and more are not to be missed ever, but B.O.B. is right up there. Riveting, disturbing, thought provoking, and more. You learn to care about all the men of Easy Company by the time it's over. You start watching the first episode and you can't help but, return as soon as you can and watch the other 9 back to back to see what happens as the company moves from the US to England, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. So sad to know so many good men never made it home. They went through so much - starting it all as young men barely out of their teen years and end four plus years later completely different than they started. All fought for a cause greater than themselves - some did it with ferocious bravery, others with courage and dignity and some, sadly near cowards, but doing the best they could in the most difficult of circumstances. My husband and I have seen this series about three times so far and came back again. It never gets old. Nor does the story of evil that must be overcome by good and men called to arms and doing what they must to save themselves and those they care about back home. I especially enjoy the clips in each episode where they do small interviews with the "true Easy Company" men who did beyond the call of duty. The real men - Captain Winters, Nix, Bull and more. You then return back to the series to see the actors that played each of these men. Of particular enjoyment is Battle of The Bulge war scene, when they take Hitler's mountain retreat and the final scene where the men play baseball in Germany and as VE day is called, you get a snap shot of where each of the men who made it end up in life - jobs, marriage, location, age, etc. And some even went on to the Pacific theater to finish the Japanese. This series was done back in 2001 and is still fresh and new as if it was just done. The cast is huge in this motion picture - too many to name or count - you may recognize some of the actors either newer to acting or moving on to new projects like David Schwimmer (yes, Mr. Friends himself), Donnie Whalberg (New Kids on the Block & Donnie Loves Jenny realty show fame), Damian Lewis, Neal McDough (more recently in Justified series) Jimmy Fallon (yes, small part but now a talk show host!), Such a wonderfully done series - don't miss it. I/we can't say enough about how great this series is. 5 stars and then some!
on April 7, 2017
This is a superlative film tribute to these men who so very much deserve it. All who took part in its production deserve our thanks for doing it as well as it ought to have been done. And future generations will learn what real character and devotion and loyalty are all about. I am certainly grateful and appreciative this film was made and made so truthfully so we can understand how indebted we are to the men who fought in World War Two.
on October 20, 2016
An honest and authentic depiction of men in combat and the unique psychology in building and preserving an elite fighting force.
on February 20, 2015
Love! Love! Love! This series. I've been watching for over 6 years every year. You will love it! Very warm, touching, and I would not go one year for the rest of my life without watching this series.
