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As far as miniseries go, HBO has a definite corner on the market. I stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish The Night Of, and tried to convince everyone in my group chats to watch John Adams as soon as humanly possible. I’ve never met a miniseries I didn’t like, but there is on that goes above and beyond. Band of Brothers is by far one of HBO’s best offerings and even one of the best shows ever to grace the small screen. If you haven’t seen it, you need to watch it, and then watch it again, and again, and again.
I know there is a good part of the population that hates rewatching things. You’re a ‘one and done’ crowd and I can respect that, but I’m begging you to make an exception. In general, repeating a show can be a little boring. You know what’s going to happen and you remember dialogue and scenes. Band of Brothers is so well done that each time you watch it you pick up on little nuances you missed before. I’ve seen the series about twelve times at this point, and I still learn something new each time I hit play. Plus, it’s just really fucking good.
Because it’s a miniseries and only has ten episodes, it’s easy to replay. I once tried to rewatch Mad Men from start to finish and it felt like a full-time job. TV shows with multiple seasons are time-consuming, ten hours of enthralling combat, anticipation, and touching storyline is doable.
Did you have to take a sick day from work? Start up the HBO static screen in the morning and be done by dinner time. Want to have a heartfelt Veterans Day? Queue of BoB and get ready to feel the most intense patriotism. Even if you don’t have a big chunk of time to give up for a binge sesh, every couple of months just watch an episode a night for a week and a half. I personally have a system that if it rains on a Sunday and I have nothing to do, I try to knock out at a minimum four episodes.
Even if you’re not a big wartime historical drama person, anyone can appreciate the character development and cinematography. It’s emotional involvement at its highest point. When Gonorrhea lost his leg in The Battle of the Bulge, I cried for days thinking about it. That’s good television. Every time you watch, you can form a new emotional connection with a different character. The last time I repeated the series, I got super involved with Moose’s episode and his escapade behind enemy lines.
We all know how the story ends – there’s no twist where America doesn’t win the war, but the suspense is still there. I had no idea about tactical strategy and what battles resulted in what victories, so there are still some things to be learned. Some people have told me that I need to switch it up a bit and put on The Pacific instead, but this is a senseless suggestion. It’s a good series overall, but it’s not in the same league as BoB. I’m ride or die for Major Dick Winters and Spielberg’s depiction of the Pacific theater doesn’t pack the same punch as the boys in Europe.
I can say with full confidence that every true American should see Band of Brothers at least three times. I’ve actually heard part of the U.S. citizenship test has trivia from the show on it. I’ll never forget the first time I watched the whole series, but each subsequent watch was still a religious experience within itself. I want everyone to partake in this television high. Take my advice, drop what you’re doing right now, pull up Season One, Part One: Currahee and enjoy the ride. You can thank me later.
Easy Company, we’re moving out. .
Image via YouTube
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Kell
future soccer mom of America (AKA I drive a Volvo.) Miracle is my favorite movie and it should be yours too.
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I’ve served in the military, I’ve seen almost every war movie under the sun, but I’ve never seen BoB. I have no explanation for this, except that I am a bad American. I will watch it posthaste.
“I served in the military.” In terms of the bad American spectrum, you’re definitely on the better side than most any of us.
Thanks, but I didn’t do much aside from sit around on a ship. It was basically an office job with short commute and a nice view.
It’s currently on Amazon Prime
One of the most well made mini series ever. Great way to spend a weekend if you don’t feel like going out. RIP Don Malarkey. One of the legends passed at the end of September.
I was in early college when Dick Winters died and it genuinely made me sad.
They need to make a North African campaign series too
When Speirs runs through that town full of Germans to connect with the group on the other side of town and then RUNS BACK! I rewind that scene probably a dozen times every time I watch this show. Band of Brothers is incredible. Also, as a 24 year old female, I love how surprised guys are when I tell them its my favorite mini series.
Speirs is low key the most badass in the show. Guy has no regard for life or limb and just gets it done.
I feel like he is extremely high key the most badass on the show
Easily the most badass guy in the show. He summarily executed one of his NCO’s for failing to fallow an order in combat. If he didn’t shoot those prisoners on D-Day, he never stopped any rumor’s about it to add to his level of not giving a fuck. He was the Governor of Spandau Prison and Nazi’s like Speer were terrified of him. Oh, then he went to fight commies in Korea and Laos. Definitely the most badass guy on the show.
Jesus, I almost forgot about that scene. Thanks for the reminder.
Dick Winters is a true, American hero.
As a Marine I’ll probably get crucified for this but I have to agree that BoB is superior to The Pacific. The exception would be the Gunny Basilone storyline. If that was taken as it’s own story it would be one of the best ever shown.
I’ve actually watched it twice, and was recently thinking about starting it up for a third time. I’ve been to the Eagle’s Nest so I always enjoy that episode. I do agree, though, Pacific isn’t as good, but still enjoyed it for the simple fact that I am a history person.
In 2015, I did a tour with Beyond Band of Brothers tours. The 10 day tour took our group from Normandy to the Eagles Nest. We followed Easy Company’s campaign from Normandy to Brea Court Manor, Nymegin, Bastogne, St. Mer Eglise, Eagles Nest and Dachau concentration camp. Tour also included stops at two of the American cemeteries. This tour was absolutely the best. It gave you a very personal insight as to what Winter’s and Easy Co. Experienced.
Check out “Beyond Band of Brothers.com” for all the info on all their WWII tours.
Great series, but have to disagree about the Pacific. That one does a much better job of showing them all having to reintegrate into civilian life after coming home.
I have watched BoB many times. It is my absolute favorite thing to watch. I agree that The Pacific just wasn’t as good. Because of this miniseries I became friends with Lt. Buck Compton, his family and with many others. To me, these guy’s are what heroes are made of. Not athletes or movie stars, these guy’s. If you’ve never watched it, you need to just once. If you have before, do it again. There are a lot of details that you miss out on. God bless everyone and God bless Easy Company. Currahee!!!
Back in ROTC, to learn how write orders I had to write the order for when they cleared the trench line on D-Day. The instructor sent our orders to Dick Winter back in ’07, and it supposedly moved him to tears reading these. What an amazing example of a leader