Summary
HBO’s seminal 2001 miniseries,Band of Brothers, remains a landmark television achievement. Blending historical authenticity with impactful drama, the show offers an immersive rendition ofthe experiences of Easy Companyduring one of the most brutal conflicts the world has ever seen. Boasting an impressive 94% rating on review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes, it is rightly seen as a barometer against which all Second World War series should be measured. And yet, despite this reputation, rewatching the series in 2024 brought some things home to me that I hadn’t realized on first viewing – many of which frameBand of Brothersin a new light.
Being British and born in the early 1990s, I missed much of the initial furor aroundBand of Brotherswhen it premiered. The result was that I didn’t actually see it until several years after its debut when it came out on DVD. Nevertheless, even after its reputation had been secured, the show lost none of its impact,expertly blending the visceral horror of war with poignant personal stories. Much of this remains true when revisiting the show in 2024. However, now that over two decades have passed, other aspects ofBand of Brothers' production have become surprisingly prominent.
Band Of Brothers Ending Explained: The Aftermath Of Easy Company After WWII
The Band of Brothers ending shows the complicated nature of being a soldier, even after the war is over, but also, the relief in no longer fighting.
1Captain Sobel Was Way Worse Than I Remember
It’s More Than Strict Training
After watchingBand of Brothersfor the first time, my initial impression ofDavid Schwimmer’s Captain Sobelwas that he is brutally strict, unlikable, and ultimately useless, but that he is essentially irrelevant in the grand scheme of the story. More than 20 years later, much of this turns out to be accurate. However, while this assessment (especially his absence from the rest of the story) is fair,rewatching the show reveals something much darker about Sobel’s character.
Band of Brothersis available to stream on Max and Netflix.
Not only is Sobel a disciplinarian, but there is also a sinister masochistic quality to his attitude. It’s not enough that he treats his men with no leniency. He also comes up with unusual and brutal punishments with little rationale. His stunt with the spaghetti,where he makes Easy run up a mountain on a full stomach, is a perfect example of his callousness. Beyond this, he is also revealed to lack the redeeming feature of integrity – framing Dick Winters for his own failings. While I’d always known Sobel was bad, a rewatch made his actions seem inexcusable.
2There Are A LOT Of Cameos
The Number Of Famous Faces Is A Distraction
Band of Brothers' bold decision to provide a comprehensive portrait of Easy Company’s experiences through multiple characters remains admirable. Such an approach also allows the show to emphasize the scale of the operation,with hundreds of different personnel featured across the story. This creates the perfect environment for cameo appearances. However, while the number of cameos makes sense in context, there are consequences. The fact that almost every episode ofBand of Brothersfeatures a guest appearancefrom a famous face in a seemingly incongruous role, to me at least, becomes incredibly distracting.
While the frequency with which celebrities fleetingly appear inBand of Brothershas become more of a problem in hindsight, the sheer array of supporting personnel was always likely to cause problems.
When I first watched the series, it wasn’t immediately clear who the likes of Simon Pegg, Tom Hardy, or Michael Fassbender were, or that they’d go on to enjoy celebrity status. To this extent,it’s possible to argue that their appearances don’t constitute traditional celebrity cameos. However, it’s less hard to make this argument with actors like Jimmy Fallon, who was already established on SNL. While the frequency with which celebrities fleetingly appear inBand of Brothershas become more of a problem in hindsight, the sheer array of supporting personnel was always likely to cause problems.
3Band Of Brothers Has Way More British Actors That I Realized
It’s An Interesting Choice For A Distinctly American Story
In tone and style, as well as its choice of story,Band of Brothershas a particularly American sensibility. Watching as a British viewer, it’s quite hard to escape feeling somewhat resentful thatother nations' involvements in key campaigns occasionally feel somewhat downplayed.However, several years after watching the show for the first time, one of the most noticeable things about the production – with the benefit of better industry knowledge – is how many British actors feature.
Most obvious is Damien Lewis as Dick Winters, who anchors the story with his presence. Beyond this, however, the likes ofAndrew Scott, Stephen Graham, Tom Hardy, Dexter Fletcher, Dominic Cooper, and James McAvoy all bring a British flavor to the action. While it’s often difficult to tell that the actors aren’t actually American, there’s no doubt that Brits end up playing an outsized role in this interpretation of Easy Company’s story.
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4Some Of Band Of Brothers' Real History Changes Feel More Questionable
It’s Easier To Spot Flaws In The Story
WatchingBand of Brothersfor the first time is such an intense emotional experience thatI found it hard to think critically about its faults. The harrowing way in which combat is portrayed in episodes like “Carrentan” and “Bastogne”, for example, combined with the psychological horror of “Why We Fight” creates a potent cocktail that automatically defuses many arguments. Many years later, however, some of these problems became easier to spot.
Some of the most egregious include thechanges thatBand of Brothersmakes to real historyto build a more compelling narrative. For instance, the fact that the show changes Blithe’s fate at the end of “Carrentan”, suggesting he never recovered from his wounds, instead of dying on active duty in the late 1960s feels like a deliberate attempt at emotional manipulation, making it harder to trust everything else on screen.Band of Brothersremains largely authentic, but increased awareness of these subtle changes creates an awkward caveat.
5Band Of Brothers' Battle Scenes Are Still Incredibly Intense
The Show Remains As Gripping As Ever
While some ofBand of Brothers' narrative changes feel like cheap missteps, there’s no denying that the show’s battle sequences are just as charged and affecting as they ever were. From the moment Easy Company lands in Normandy,the series effortlessly captures the terror and the chaos of combat. In fact, the effect of many ofBand of Brothers’best battle scenes is more potent than many cinematic equivalents.
Part of the reason the battles are so terrifyingly realistic is the show’s hands-on filming techniques. VFX shots are relatively few and far between,withBand of Brothersfavoring grubby practical effects. This makes the fighting feel tangible, and therefore more brutal, while the prevalent use of shaky cam helps capture how disorientating the fighting must have been.
6Some Of Band Of Brothers' CGI Has Aged Badly
It’s Very Noticeable In Some Key Scenes
It’s unsurprising that a television show made 23 years ago features some retrograde CGI. However, while shonky visual effects are completely understandable, this doesn’t change the fact that they have an impact on the overall production. In some cases,they can actively undermine what would otherwise be an incredibly tense scene.
While there are several examples, for me, the most noticeable instance of poor CGI inBand of Brotherscomes during the show’s D-Day scenes. Footage of the planes flying over northern France under heavy German anti-aircraft fire lacks any of the gripping authenticity that’s present when the troops fight on the ground. Although it would be unreasonable to expect the 2001 VFX to be up to a contemporary standard,the difference betweenBand of Brothersand modern shows likeMasters of the Airin these scenes is unavoidable.
7Band Of Brothers' Cast Is Epic, But Also A Problem
Unlike more traditional dramas,Band of Brotherseschews the normal reliance on a central main characterto keep the narrative together, instead deploying an enormous extended ensemble cast. On one level, this makes sense. The show is, after all, the story of an entire company of soldiers, instead of one man. However, there are ramifications from this approach.
Particularly in earlyBand of Brothersepisodes, the sheer number of characters involved and introduced makes it very hard to follow individual stories. For me,the effect was not only disorientating but also made it more difficult to personally identify and empathize with specific soldierswhen they came into focus. Admittedly, the problem lessened as the narrative progressed. Nevertheless, the number of characters inevitably dilutes the development of specific arcs.
8Band Of Brothers' Pre-Episode Interviews Have Become Even More Poignant
They Preface Every Episode
One ofBand of Brothers' most touching details isthe inclusion of interviews with real veteransthat preface every episode. This blend of documentary and fiction could easily come across as coinfected, and could actively undermine the impact of the story in different circumstances. Upon revisiting the series, however, it was clear to me that the approach not only holds up, but actively makesBand of Brothersmore affecting as the years pass.
Far from making them feel distant, I found that the passage of time made this reminder of the real personnel who fought and died in Europe feel even more essential.
The reason for this increased emotional potency is tragically unavoidable. The truth is that, since most ofBand of Brothers' interviews were recorded, almost everyone who appears on camera has died. Far from making them feel distant, I found that the passage of time made this reminder of the real personnel who fought and died in Europe feel even more essential. 23 years later,Band of Brothersbrings their stories back to life with urgency and immediacy.
9Band Of Brothers Holds Up Better Than Comparable Projects
The Show Has Retained A Unique Power
Partly becauseBand of Brothersfeels less Hollywoodified and more committed to authentically telling Easy Company’s story, the show feels more timeliness and more powerful than many similar projects. Even though aspects of the show have come unstuck,Band of Brothers' core emphasis on accurately portraying real experience gives it a relevancethat other stories lack. Even though I knew I was watching a 23-year-old show,Band of Brothersfelt surprisingly fresh on a rewatch.
The most obvious comparison withBand of Brothersis Steven Spielberg’sSaving Private Ryan. While the movie’s opening remains iconic, the central story of fictional soldiers wandering across France feels disappointingly farfetched and unrealistic by comparison. By contrast, becauseBand of Brothersfocuses more on all-round realism, the production feels less of its time.
10Band Of Brothers' Influence Is Still Being Felt Today
Its Impact Was Perhaps Hard To Appreciate
In the immediate aftermath ofBand of Brothers' release, it was perhaps hard to understand how impactful the show would be for small screen entertainment. Looking back, however, it’s clear to me that its influence has permeated into some surprising places. Most obviously, the fact thatMasters of the Airbecame one of Apple TV+’s most successful original serieshighlightsBand of Brothers' relevance. Beyond this, however, other factors are at play.
While we now take premium television for granted, it’s now clear that much of the groundwork was laid byBand of Brothers. The show’s massive sense of spectacle made productions likeGame of Thronespossible, greenlighting incredibly ambitious shoots that combined massive casts with visual splendor. Admittedly,Band of BrothersandGame of Thronesboast very different stories. Nonetheless, on a practical level, the connection between them is undeniable.
