Summary
HBO’sBand of Brothersremains one of the all-time great TV series, boasting an incredible level of historical detail and vividly bringing one of the most traumatic periods in human history to life. Yet, 23 years on from its initial release, it’s increasingly clear some aspects of the show have aged better than others. Irrespective of its faults,Band of Brothersdeserves its reputation as a landmark television achievement. However, even though its many successes are worthy of recognition, it’s also important to acknowledge that even seminal TV moments aren’t always perfect.
All episodes ofBand of Brothersare available to stream on Netflix and Max.
First airing in 2001,Band of Brothers, is widely hailed as one ofHBO’s best-ever miniseries– an impressive achievement, considering the competition. The 10-episode arc follows thesoldiers of Easy Companyas they experience the relentless grind of training, brutal combat in Normandy, and the full horror of the Second World War as they advance through Europe. Based on the non-fiction book by Stephen E. Ambrose,Band of Brotherswon critical acclaim upon release – scoring 97% on review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes. And yet, despite this deserved status, not every aspect of the show is beyond reproach.
8Band Of Brothers Massive Cast Is Necessary, But Can Be A Problem
There Are Inevitable Drawbacks
Given the scope ofBand of Brothers' storyand its decision to relay Easy Company’s experiences, as best it can, in its entirety, it’s inevitable thatthe show needed to include multiple different perspectives. Although the show does include some more traditional main characters such as Damian Lewis' Richard “Dick” Winters and Neal McDonough as First Lieutenant Lynn “Buck” Compton, Easy Company’s huge list of personnel creates literally dozens of different supporting characters. This approach effectively conveys the scale of the operation involved. However, it also has its problems.
Especially in earlyBand of Brothersepisodes,the sheer number of different cast members is almost impossible to keep track of. Various names, personality traits, and characters are almost impossible to monitor, creating a sometimes overwhelming experience for the viewer that demands the utmost focus to untangle. The rewards are certainly worth it, and key characters become more familiar as the series progresses. However, there remains the sense thatBand of Brothers' full cast listis so extensive that the show can’t possibly do everyone justice.
7In Hindsight, Band Of Brothers' Cameos Are A Distraction
There Are Many Famous Appearances
The number of different characters involved isn’t the only problem withBand of Brothers' cast. One of the most notable things about the series is just how many familiar faces feature in a variety of minor supporting roles. Actors likeTom Hardy, Simon Pegg, Michael Fassbender, Andrew Scott, and James McAvoy– who were all relatively unknown at the time – all make brief appearances, cementingBand of Brothers' status as one of the most star-studded miniseries in history. However, while these well-known cameos have become more eye-catching in hindsight, there is also a cost.
A completely unforeseen problem with casting so many now-famous actors is that they have become, 23 years on, a major distraction from the on-screen drama. While many ofBand of Brothers' most powerful momentsremain incredibly poignant, it’s somewhat harder to take the drama seriously with the likes of Jimmy Fallon and Dominic Cooper hovering around the periphery. Of course,predicting how many of the supporting cast would become A-list celebrities was impossible in 2001. Nonetheless, the impact of their presence in 2024 is undeniable.
6Band Of Brothers' Narration Doesn’t Always Work
It’s One Of Several Storytelling Devices
One of the most successful features ofBand of Brothersis the way in whichit seamlessly incorporates several distinct narrative devices. Each episode, for instance, opens with interviews conducted withsurviving members of Easy Company– a poignant reminder of the real men involved in the story. However, while their inclusion consistently pays dividends, other choices are less
successful.
One slightly jarring aspect of production, for example, isBand of Brothers' inconsistent use of narration. Inepisode 2, “Day of Days”, for example,the story ends with Dick Winters relaying his reflections on D-Day to the audience, either through a diary entry, letter, or report (the context isn’t entirely clear). Since this is the first time narration has featured as part of the show (and it doesn’t appear again in the next episode) its inclusion is extremely unexpected and somewhat jarring – a disappointing end to one ofBand of Brothers' most effective episodes.
5Band Of Brothers' Isn’t The Definitive World War II Story
Its Reputation Is Perhaps More All-Encompassing Than It Deserves
AlthoughBand of Brotherswas extremely well-received in the immediate aftermath of its release, its reputation has arguably only improved with time. Not only was the show showered with contemporary accolades, including20 Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe award for Best Miniseries or Television Film, but it has gone on to be included on multiple critics' “best TV shows of all time” list (ranking 64th onThe Guardian’s selection of the 21st century’s best shows, for example). This status has created the understandable impression thatBand of Brothersis perhaps the archetypal and most comprehensive Second World War story.
…for viewers hoping to get a complete portrait of what the Second World War was like,Band of Brothersactually has a somewhat limited scope – however justifiable this approach might be.
The truth, however, is much more complicated. Upon rewatching the series, it becomes clear thatBand of Brothersis not interested in telling the full story of World War II – instead, it is understandably focused on the specificexperiences of Easy Company. Providing a full picture of a six-year conflict is probably impossible for any single show. However, it’s nonetheless worth keeping in mind that, for viewers hoping to get a complete portrait of what the Second World War was like,Band of Brothersactually has a somewhat limited scope – however justifiable this approach might be.
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4Band Of Brothers' CGI Occasionally Lets It Down
Some Sequences Haven’t Aged Well
A hallmark ofBand of Brothers' brutally intense battle sequencesis their gritty realism and practical detail. When the story is focused on the specific exploits of the men of Easy Company, the show is never anything less than brutally immersive – notably during episodes like “Bastogne” and “Carrentan”. However, while the more intimate fight scenes showcase outstanding practical effects,some of the more computer-heavy sequences have failed to hold up.
In “Day of Days”, for example, as the 101st Airborne’s planes head over northern France and suffer intense German artillery fire,the animated planes and explosions simply do not feel as realistic as their ground combat counterparts. The issue is particularly stark when compared to laterD-Day scenes inMasters of the Air, which benefits from two decades of technological advancements to make such sequences more realistic. It’s perhaps inevitable that VFX in a series that’s 23 years old is far from perfect. Nevertheless, the issues are distractingly obvious when returning to the show.
3Band Of Brothers Doesn’t Always Reflect The Wider Impact Of War
Some Crucial Aspects Are Left Out
Band of Brothers' Easy Company focus has positives and negatives. On the one hand, viewing the war through such a specific lens makes each paratrooper significant and means that every death exacts a personal toll on the viewer. Unlike many Second World War dramas, where casualties are as faceless as they are frequent,Band of Brotherscreates a sense of familiarity that makes its drama more impactful for a viewer. However, an unavoidable trade-off of such an approach is that anything that affects people outside of Easy Company is given a comparatively short-shrift.
In many episodes, it feels like Easy Company are fighting in isolation – simultaneously disconnected from other Allied forces and removed from the people who actually live in the war zone.
Although the show does tackle important themes from the wider war, such as Nazi concentration camps in “Why We Fight”,the show is less successful in capturing the full horror of the civilian death toll. In many episodes, it feels like Easy Company are fighting in isolation – simultaneously disconnected from other Allied forces and removed from the people who actually live in the war zone. Again, telling these stories is notBand of Brothers' stated aim. Their absence, however, does occasionally feel like an oversight.
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2Band Of Brothers Is A Victim Of Early 2000s Filmmaking
Some Stylistic Choices Haven’t Aged Well
Although there is little thatBand of Brotherscould have practically done to avoid problems caused by advancing CGI technology, some early 2000s techniques are more stylistic – and therefore more avoidable. For instance, whileBand of Brothersbattle scenes have lost none of their terrifying potency,some shots suffer from an overreliance on filming techniques like shaky cam. While an arguably effective way to convey the kineticism of combat, it also makes some scenes slightly incoherent.
As well as the use of shaky cam,Band of Brothersuses the same somewhat washed-out aesthetic popularized bySpielberg’s celebrated war movieSaving Private Ryanand other contemporary projects. In places,it appears not dissimilar to the 2002 movieThe Bourne Identity, with its approach diminishing the timelessness of what should be an eternal story. While it wouldn’t be fair to say these attributes make it unenjoyable for a modern audience, they certainly markBand of Brothersout as a piece of its time.
1Band Of Brothers Sometimes Can’t Avoid Sensationalizing The Drama
It Was Always Going To Happen
Correctly,Band of Brothershas been highlighted by many critics as a highly accurate and authentic retelling of Easy Company’s experiences in the Second World War. However, even with such a clear commitment to authenticity,the show sometimes can’t help but twist the facts to make things more dramatic. There are innumerable instances of this happening throughout the series, to the point where Dick Winters himself highlighted to issue to Tom Hanks, commenting, “I wish that it would have been more authentic. I was hoping for an 80 percent (accurate) solution(viaConversations With Major Dick Winters: Life Lessons from the Commander of the Band of Brothers).”
The problem is not just restricted to specific details of what took place in what battle, or which Easy Company personnel were present in a particular situation. In some cases, entire characters are changed because it better suits the narrative. Private Blithe, for instance, is described as having “never recovered from his wounds” in “Carretan” and is purported to have died in 1948, when the reality is that he lived until 1967. These subtle tweaks, while helping to makeBand of Brothersa powerful and emotionally resonant story, undoubtedly diminish its authenticity.
