War. It claims lives, it changes history and the Second World War was one of the most infamous of these wars. However, war can be entertaining to watch in movies and TV shows with many works of historical fiction set during World War II. And yet, many of these movies and shows try to be accurate to history despite the creative liberties.
Released in 2001 on HBO, Band of Brothers follows Easy Company during WW2 In Europe with the first episode dedicated to their training & their bonds before episode two throws us into the action starting with D-Day. Created by SAVING PRIVATE RYAN’s Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks, the show is based on Stephen E. Ambrose’s book BAND OF BROTHERS and most of the series’ ten episodes start with interviews with the veterans of Easy Company.
My father and I watched it months ago and this was worth a watch, with a moving intro complete with incredible music, and well-crafted war scenes with fantastic early 2000s special effects. Bloody, intense and often unsettling, BAND OF BROTHERS is a tale of bravery, brotherhood and defying odds in history’s darkest period and pulls no punches.
I rate this four stars and suggest you watch it, this is a show you will not miss. See you later, fellow historians.
-James M