Band of Brothers
I'm sure you've all heard of the 2001 HBO mini-series "Band of Brothers", which was produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. I watch it about once a year. Today I re-watched the first two episodes, "Currahee" and "Day of Days." It doesn't matter how many times I watch this series, it still amazes me every time. Everything about it astounds me. The cinematography and darker colour tones allow you to feel like you are actually there, up close and personal. The direction is superb and the writing is excellent. I love the use of real interview footage with the men of Easy Company, at the beginning of every episode. Their role really brings the series home and makes everything feel all the more realistic and tragic. The entire cast is perfection, especially Damien Lewis (as Winters), Ron Livingston (as Nixon) and Donnie Wahlberg (as Lipton).
For those of you who have not had the chance to view this masterpiece really owe it to yourselves to go out and rent it. Forget any Hollywood movie made about World War II, or any war in general, because it doesn't get any better than this mini-series. From the beautiful opening credits you will be hooked. It makes me all the more proud that my grandpa served for Canada as a private and the bravery of every man and woman in the war amazes me. They were all genuine heroes.
I added one of my favourite scenes to this post. It doesn't contain spoilers. The Germans have surrendered at the end of the war, after Hitler's suicide. The American soldiers of Easy Company listen in while one of them translates a German officers message to his defeated troops. It all dawns on them that despite the Germans being the enemy, they are the same. I thought it was a beautiful portrayal of how, no matter what country you come from or what side you are on in a war, we are all the same inside. We all have the same feelings and emotions. We are all human beings.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DXATOvBUbsw
For those of you who have not had the chance to view this masterpiece really owe it to yourselves to go out and rent it. Forget any Hollywood movie made about World War II, or any war in general, because it doesn't get any better than this mini-series. From the beautiful opening credits you will be hooked. It makes me all the more proud that my grandpa served for Canada as a private and the bravery of every man and woman in the war amazes me. They were all genuine heroes.
I added one of my favourite scenes to this post. It doesn't contain spoilers. The Germans have surrendered at the end of the war, after Hitler's suicide. The American soldiers of Easy Company listen in while one of them translates a German officers message to his defeated troops. It all dawns on them that despite the Germans being the enemy, they are the same. I thought it was a beautiful portrayal of how, no matter what country you come from or what side you are on in a war, we are all the same inside. We all have the same feelings and emotions. We are all human beings.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=DXATOvBUbsw