Band of Brothers (2001)
Adventure | Drama | History | War

(6-Disc Set)

After Saving Private Ryan in a single mission, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks teamed up to produce a chronicle of the European theater of WWII from a soldier's eye view with a vast canvas. The resulting made-for-HBO 10 hour mini-series....

This special edition box set contains all 10 episodes of the acclaimed miniseries made for HBO. It also includes the 80 minute documentary entitled "WE STAND ALONE: THE MEN OF EASY COMPANY" as well as several other features exclusive to this special edition such as an interactive "field guide" which details the people, places and events as depicted in the film. Other added features include: Making of Band of Brothers featurette Ron Livingston’s Video Diaries The Premiere on the beaches of Normandy And other bonus weblinks and added features.

User Comment: theshape79 Kansas • I didn't really want to comment on the show like others did, until it was actually concluded. Now that the show finished last night all I can think to say is Wow! This has truly been one of the best things I have ever seen produced for any format of entertainment, except novel since historian Stephen Ambrose fills in a lot more information that the series just couldn't handle. Every actor from Damian Lewis to the man who played Private Hall in the first episode performed admirably. Of special interest is Lewis who's character really matures as the show progresses, Ron Livingston who in episode nine loses some of the cockiness that his character Nixon exhibits throughout the show, Matthew Settle who plays the intimidating Capt. Ronald Speirs just seems to ooze the violent edge the character needs, and Donnie Wahlberg who unlike his brother seems to play more interesting characters. Also of special interest is David Schwimmer as Capt. Herbert Sobel. Even though the character is pretty much a piss ant, there is that one moment after he loses command of the company that you sort of feel sorry for him. Another plus is the production crew who really turned England into four different countries. No one place from Carentan to Bastgone looks like the same country. Another plus is the special effects, which really shine in episode two and four. The night jump on Normandy with the flak exploding around planes and one plane bursting into flames looks as good as anything done for a major film. Also whoever thought of including snippets of interviews with real easy veterans definitely help set the tone for the episodes. A good choice in my opinion. If you haven't seen this show you owe it to yourself to watch any repeat. If you love informative movies about WWII by the DVD Set which will hopefully be released sometime soon. Another thing to note is the documentary which has interviews, film footage, and war time photos of the actuall easy company. I hope its as good as it looks.

Summary: Definitely at the top of my list for one of the best shows produced for television.

User Comment: mrbluto (mrbluto@airmail.net) • After watching the final episode of Band of Brothers I get the strange feeling I had seen this before and done better in saving private Ryan,not that band was not great but it had a little sister feel to it. The good things about Band of Brothers are really good,Damian Lewis as Richard D. Winters was easily the best thing in the series,his Tom Hanks awe shucks looks and Gary Cooper determined demeanor made the movie. Now to the bad things about Band,part 1 "Currahee was not the best start to a mini series I have ever seen,it was very very slow in parts and when David Schwimmer makes his appearance as Capt. Herbert M. Sobel it made me laugh,it made no sense to have Schwimmer trying to play a hard ass,his hard expressions were more funny than mean. the other problem with part one was the beginning of a problem that lasted till until part 5 "Crossroads,the way band was shot in dull tones made all the men look the same and it wasn't until part 5 which was directed by Tom Hanks that the soldiers could be told apart. The other problem with the first 4 episodes of band was the Blair witch type camera shots that made me dizzy. Back to the good points of band,starting with part 5 "Crossroads the writing seemed to get better and the characters were starting to get fleshed out,the story was now building to a climax that would end with the soldiers finding a concentration camp near the end of the war,this episode is the best and most heart wrenching especially since the last episode points was an anti climax. Band of brothers is not the best mini series ever made but it is one of the top ten of all time. 8 out of 10

Summary: Not the best mini series of all time but better than average.

--- JOYA - No SDH ---

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