Band of Brothers

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: The series is based on the book "Band of Brothers" written by the late Stephen Ambrose. When I read the book a few years ago I just couldn't put it down. It is without question the best book on WW II I have ever read; and this made for TV series, "Band of Brothers", does not disappoint. Each segment is simply outstanding. From basic training, to the drop into Normandy, to Holland, to the Battle of the Bulge, and finally to Hitler's Eagles Nest.

Just for the record, despite what the below reviewer states (1 star); the book and this series are right on the money historically. I'm not sure what historical facts the fellow below is referring to because the Book "is based on the first hand account interviews" with the very solders that did the fighting. Interesting how some guy who wasn't there seems to feel he has a more historically accurate understanding of the events then the men who where actually there.

This series does not glorify war nor does it offer and arrogant boastful image of the American solder. What it does offer is an inside view of the tremendous sacrifice these men made for all of us. Most of these men were citizen soldiers. Some where from poor backgrounds, some from more affluent backgrounds. Some with high school educations, some with Ivy League educations. In fact one member of the 101st was an all-American catcher and football player for UCLA, who played in the 1943 Rose Bowl.

Nothing is sugar coated. The series depicts both great victories and missteps encountered by the 101st in their fight. I found the depiction of the training prior to the Normandy drop to be particularly interesting. It leaves the viewer asking themselves if they themselves could have endured the training and physical demands imposed by the CO's.

The acting is superb, the story line is excellent, and each series creates a very accurate portrayal of the book. I strongly recommend this series, however I would recommend reading the book first. Simply an excellent book and series.

There is also an added bonus; "We Stand Alone Together, The Men of Easy Company". This is a 120 minute Documentary with the men of Easy. It offers interesting interviews, insight and vintage footage of the men.

Rating:
Summary: Why do people miss the point of this movie?
Review: To the bozo from San Diego a few posts below:

It's not about YOU or your opinion of war or Steve Spielberg.

You are an imbecile.

Yeah, a historical journey is really "overrated" as you say.
The whole movie made up and fake.
Get a life.

This is easily the greatest film ever made because every aspect is as good as it gets.

This shoulde be 10 stars, not 5.

Rating:
Summary: Realistic, Moving Depiction of WW2. You're Welcome, Europe.
Review: To all the Europeans who are slamming America and/or American soldiers in these reviews, who have no concept of how much America sacrificed so that THEY could write these pathetic little west-bashing reviews in their comfortable little European cottages, saying how this series glorifies war in the "Typical American Way", and that Americans have no understanding of the world outside of the USA, I have only one thing to say to you:

THE ONLY REASON YOU EVEN HAVE A COUNTRY RIGHT NOW IS BECAUSE WE GAVE IT BACK TO YOU. YOU WOULD BE SPEAKING GERMAN RIGHT NOW IF IT WASN'T FOR AMERICA, YOU UNGREATFUL PIGS!

Rating:
Summary: Awesome depiction of human sacrifice by a band of brothers
Review: I've seen this series three times already. Each time I watch it is more compelling that the last. Regardless of what your views of any war are, this amazing and true story focuses on a "band of brothers", a group of men who are lumped together as paratroopers in the US Army in WWII.

This series does a great job of capturing the futility of war and the fragile nature of man, capitalizing on the ability of men to grow together and fourish despite overwhelming obstacles and a bleak and dismal life that comes in times of war.

The casting in the movie was awesome. Each actor captures the character he is portraying, including Donnie Wahlberg, who plays a very convincing 1SG (later 2LT) Lipton. The same can be said for each of the actors, including David Schwimmer, who plays the part of an incompetent and much-hated company commander.

The combat scenes couldn't have been better and are completely opposite of the kind of pyrotechnics and stage magic you'd see in an action film. Instead, the series captures the fast-paced tempo of live combat along with the edge-of-your-seat feel that something bad could happen at any moment.

I have to warn you now that this movie (very convincingly) glorifies the American soldier for his heroic actions and sacrifices in Europe during WWII (using documented factual events), so if you're one of those who think America can only do wrong, you'd better leave this one on the shelf and get something else...

Rating:
Summary: Some reviewers just don't get it.
Review: While I appreciate the bad reviews of this mini-series (I always look at those first to gain a real objective view of material befire I purchase it) I cannot help but be a little upset by the reviewers that say that this is yet another "Americans beating the badguys" "Rambo-esque" "War glorifying" etc. picture churned out by the Spielberg-Hanks propaganda machine. Some of you who have watched this series and commented on it's inaccuracies and Ambrose's failure to make solid his book by using more sources just don't get it.
This movie is not about glofiying war, it is not about America beating the bad-guy, it is not about being a WW2 documentary. It is about a group of men relating their stories. What they remember about a great hardship in their lives. I think that Ambrose does these men a little justice and mercy by letting the storytellers tell their experiences and not tearing them down for the sake of accuracy. Let the men tell it how they remember it. It gives us in a younger generation some insight to how it was for these men, not neccessarily whether they were on this side of germany or not. It is not a portal into the past for the sake of preserving history, it is a portal into the past through the eyes of those who lived it for the sake of preserving their memories.
I did not really get the idea that this film was about glamorizing the American war machine. Those who watched this movie and saw G.I.Joe, Rambo, Discrimination against Germans must already have a deep seeded hatred for American and it's foreign policies. Germans running away or surrenduring to the Americans was common. Those who have actually read through the history of the Europan Invasion know that the German army was under a great deal of stress. Allied bombings kept supplies at the rear and most surrenduring Germans were just looking for an end to fatigue, suffering, etc. Furthermore, the men portrayed in this film state how much respect they had for the German army as a worthy opponent. What I saw most in this film was the loss, hardship, friendship, and horror that these men survived. If you watch the interviews and documentary in part 11, you see that these men were forever changed by what they did and experienced. They lost friends, they lost family, they lost their innocence. I enjoyed this series not for the action or the violence, but for the stories from those who were there. What they saw, and what it meant to them is what drives this movie.

And to those in Europe who are giving this movie a bad review for propping up the American "Sport" of war, I say unto you: You are welcome.

Enjoy your Fuhrer-free freedom brought to you by the American armed forces.

Rating:
Summary: Exemplary film
Review: This movie is not about the glorification of war. It's not even about the glorification of the American efforts in Europe. This movie is about a group of extremely young men gathered up from every walk of life and thrust into one of the most difficult situations imaginable. They were forced to kill and be killed. This movie is about innocence lost and the hollow shells left behind. I for one think this movie accomplishes this point spectacularly.

And to all the amateur historians posting negative reviews about the accuracy of this film, please get one thing straight: If it weren't for the thousands of Americans who fought and died in Europe, the Third Reich would most likely still be in existence. The English were fighting valiantly and had, for the most part staved off invasion, but would have never been able to pull off a counter-attack without the Americans. The Russians were about to be conquered, and if it weren't for the second front created by the Americans and English, probably would have been crushed. The rest of mainland Europe was either conquered in a matter of days, or collaborating with the Germans. Sure there were underground resistance movements in many countries like France and Norway that contributed greatly to the efforts of the allies, but does anyone believe for an instant they could have made a difference on their own?

So before you start a righteous rant about what American soldiers did in the heat of battle or the way an American film portrays the war, visit the cemeteries at Normandy and kneel down before each and every cross or Star of David to thank that man profusely for the sacrifice he made for the life you live today.

One more point, related specifically to the individuals complaining about the American-centric stance of this movie: when a European studio wants to make a film about their catastrophic collapse when German tanks rolled up, more power to them. This is our movie. We know what our grandfathers did for you and we don't care what you think.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: I have watched the series again on video and it is classic. It may be just as good as Saving Private Ryan for the sheer length and the stories. There is great attention to details that makes watching the series over and over again so enjoyable. I recommend it to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Best movie.. miniseries.. whatever!
Review: This has got to be the best thing to ever come out. I loved this series and never wanted it to end!! It got me back into WW2 and now I've come back to my WW2 buff days:P. I don't even think you need to like WW2 to like this series, because the story (TRUE story) illustrates courage and valor of the men of easy company. Makes you respect the real people who fought the war, like Richard Winters, Carwood Lipton, and all the other men who gave their lives up for our country.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best war films of all time
Review: This miniseries is incredible. From start to finish, I was in complete awe during all ten parts. It is difficult to comprehend what it must have been like for those young men to go to war. They certainly possessed a courage that I don't think I have. You get to know many of the soldiers throughout the miniseries, and your heart breaks when they die. This series does not glorify war, but instead depicts all of the horrors that actually take place during wartime.

I highly recommend "Band of Brothers." The DVD set is great because it has bonus features, including interviews with the real-life soldiers who were depicted in the series. Sixty years later, these men still get choked up when they recall their time of war. Just seeing this raw emotion and knowing how it has affected them all these years later is very touching. It certainly makes me appreciate all the more the sacrifices that they made for our country.

Rating:
Summary: A Bargain At Any Price
Review: There are many, many reviews here that adequately describe the quality of this production, the accuracy and the heart and soul of this series.

I specifically want to address the two "cons" mentioned in recent reviews...

First...the guy that says Band of Brothers is always on HBO is nuts...it's on now because of the 60th anniversary of D-Day and invariably it won't be there when you want to sit down and watch.

Secondly...it's true the special features are weak and for the money you pay for the set it seems like you get shorted. Until you watch all the episodes--including the most moving of all...the interviews with the real veterans depicted in the series.

I'm an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and I feel fortunate to have served in Iraq of 2003 and not Europe of 1944-45. Every free person in the world today owes a debt of gratitude to the men portrayed in Band of Brothers...and this series goes a long way towards understanding that we'll never be able to fully repay them.

Buy this, rent it, or borrow it...but make sure you see it in its entirety.