Is "Band of Brothers" The Best War-Movie DVD Package Ever?

[KG Erwin]

I gotta think so. The packaging and the content make this, to my mind, an essential buy for your Christmas list, if you don't already have it. For the few of you that haven't seen it, the extra material contained in the sixth DVD alone makes it worth the price. Also, an often-overlooked part of the collection are the field guides that are included with each segment. There are a vast number of speaking parts in this mini-series, and the field guides sort out the chain of command, from Eisenhower on down, as well as offering a description of each character and who portrays him in the movie. This is NOT a fictionalized account of the war--the Americans, at least, all represent real people. In many cases you see the men represented giving interviews. Some of these veterans have since passed away, adding an extra poignancy to the experience.

To my mind, if anyone ever asks me why I am so fascinated with long-ago tragic events, I can simply show them this , and say, "we must honor them and never forget what they did for us". For the men of Easy Company 506th PIR, this package does just that.

Background note: much of the interview footage was conducted by the late Steven Ambrose and members of his staff in 1990, during preparation of Mr. Ambrose's book, on which the mini-series was based. Other interview material was done by the production staff of the mini-series.

[wodin]

How much extra actual film footage is there?

In the UK you can get it £34 at HMV. Its cheap over at Play I think aswell.

[KG Erwin]

The main episodes themselves are not extended, but the sixth (bonus DVD) is close to two hours, with the documentary ("We Stand Alone Together: The Men of Easy Company", which is 80 minutes), Ron Livingston's ("Nixon") video diaries of the actors' "training camp", and a 30-minute featurette on the making on the film.

I paid about $80 for this collection, and to me it was worth every penny. I watch it more than any other movie set I own. After repeated viewings, you really get to know these guys, and that's special, at least to me.

[New York Jets]

I'd actually have to wonder what other war movie DVD pack it has to compete against?

The Kelly's Heroes DVD Pack? The Battle of the Bulge DVD Pack?

Even the Saving Private Ryan DVD pack? The field really is pretty small.

[KG Erwin]

ORIGINAL: Chris Trog

I'd actually have to wonder what other war movie DVD pack it has to compete against?

The Kelly's Heroes DVD Pack? The Battle of the Bulge DVD Pack?

Even the Saving Private Ryan DVD pack? The field really is pretty small.

Well, Chris, that is true. This is what makes this a unique thing. I know of no other war movie that goes so in-depth on a particular subject or unit. Until the follow-up Pacific series comes out, it's one of a kind.

Of course, having worked on MCSE in a small way makes me predisposed to be so enthusiastic about it. Whether you bought MCSE or not, I still think it's on the "essential" list for WWII students.

[Hexed Gamer]

I think what Chris "might" have been saying, is Band of Brothers being a multi disk offering, really can't be put up against anything other than lengthy multi disk offerings for the most part.

I don't so much think of it as a film per se, as a film is usually a 90-120 minute offering with a differently paced story.

I have always considered it a mini series. Wasn't it basically that though?

People will pick apart darned near anything put on film if given a chance. So it comes down to did you enjoy it? Did you enjoy it enough to buy it so you could enjoy it several more times?

The best disc for me was the 6th disc. Made getting the set worth it.

Military series in competition?

Well I guess it would be running up against documentaries if you ask me.
World at War
War Years
Victory at Sea
10 Thousand Day War
All worthy competitors.

[Nixuebrig]

Never saw the movie nor did I see any ads about it, could you please tell me, what it is about or how it is called here?

Is it a good movie about the war or just some heroism?? Is it worth the buy, or does "Private Ryan" does the same for me?

[Hexed Gamer]

No real connection with Saving Private Ryan beyond the people that made the film.

The film is about a parachute unit, you follow their actions from training to jump into Normandy through the fighting in France and into Germany.

6 dvds in the set.

Some parts are gripping, some a bit dull. Action looks very good in some parts but others a bit hum drum.

It was based off of a book. It had a lot of input from actual veterans, the guys who were actually the ones represented in the series in a lot of cases.

Watching this series, is a good primer for playing the Steel Panthers Mega Campaign Screaming Eagles.

You won't regret watching this one, but not everyone will watch some things several times regardless of what it is. So you need to ask yourself, is this a rental or a purchase choice.
But I do highly recommend it.

[Nixuebrig]

Sound interesting , so I will look for it, if it is available in german[;)]

just googelt for it it is called "Wir waren Brüder" (When we were brothers) in german, gee, what a translation [8|]

thx for the hint, I`ll check my video store for it [:)]

[KG Erwin]

Well, Les, my two favorite war movies are the 5-hour version of "Das Boot" and "Band of Brothers". I honestly can't pick my favorite between the two. Why? Because they are about the men, and about the fact that much of the time, the guys were fighting boredom and the everyday humdrum of war. In the humdrum, you get to know the guys, and I think this is fine. This is is definitely the antidote and dose of real life that you do NOT get in an abstract wargame like SPWaW ( even though it DOES have its share of boredom on occassion).

You cannot deny that the glory and non-stop action of sensationalistic books and movies don't portray the real-life experience as well as these two miniseries do.

Now, strictly speaking, the "BoB" packaging is much superior to "Das Boot" uncut. Nevertheless, if you wanna "get real", at least as well as a dramatic recreation can do, then these are it.

[Riun T]

Hey guys, I took the time to record BOB when it first came on HBO {gotter on VHS} so I'd be real interested in getting u to copy the last disk for me GUNNY ,we'll talk bout that later. I tend to agree with Hexed on this, depending on your views of older classics is my fort'ee,band of brothers came out here in saskatoon right after prvt. ryan so they kind of overlaped the scenses,I still watch and prefer movies like the devil's brigade,the guns of naverone,Where Eagles dare,Darby's Rangers, I find my campaign hopping in SPWAW follows in tow of the war movies I watch and I'm like u in my love of the WW2 era.might be in trouble this week, A Bridge too far was just on so I will likely go refight Col. Frosts prediciment at gabner's last ride. till my next post keep your socks dry and your helmet on. RT

[Hexed Gamer]

For "big scale timespan" films, I wonder how many here remember watching Shaka Zulu?

I have that in my collection. It has some incredible scenes in it too. There is a very haunting tune in one part near the end as well. That, and holy toot, I have never seen so many topless black girls before hehe (yes the film made zero effort to fuss over that detail).

I think Shogun was a cool mini series to watch (and no I am not one iota interested in a long boring dialogue of how it might have been inaccurate here there or otherwise). I found it to be very entertaining.

There have been a few Civil War based series that I thought were quite impressive. Can't quote any immediate titles.

You know what would be cool. a BoB style approach to a series, but set during the Roman Empire perhaps.
Something like watching maybe Sharpe.

It doesn't always have to be WW2 to be interesting.

[Riun T]

I'd also say RUN SILENT RUN DEEP is my fav,black and white war movie,they did such a good job with the models and diarama's for the ships blowing up and the background scenes alot to be said for sets and flood tanks.

[Pippin]

I'd also say RUN SILENT RUN DEEP is my fav,black and white war movie,they did such a good job with the models and diarama's for the ships blowing up and the background scenes alot to be said for sets and flood tanks.

Once again, the book was far more better. And at least educational (somewhat).

[Hertston]

ORIGINAL: Prince

Is it a good movie about the war or just some heroism?? Is it worth the buy, or does "Private Ryan" does the same for me?

It should also be mentioned that BoB is a true story (as opposed to "based on" or "inspired by"); it's as close to Ambrose's book as they could get, and that was based on hundreds of hours of interviews with the soldiers concerned.

The care with casting was incredible - not only is the acting superb but the resemblance of the actors to their characters (check the photos in the book) is uncanny. My only gripe with the series was that they chickened out on bad language. Usually it doesn't matter, but in a few places (for those that have it, watch the bit where Easy come under fire approaching Carentan) it really blows the realism. They should have just "bleeped" on networks that wouldn't broadcast swearing.

[wodin]

I read on the back of the box it has extra footage within the actual film. Well I thought I did anyway.

[New York Jets]

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

Well, Les, my two favorite war movies are the 5-hour version of "Das Boot" and "Band of Brothers". I honestly can't pick my favorite between the two. Why? Because they are about the men, and about the fact that much of the time, the guys were fighting boredom and the everyday humdrum of war. In the humdrum, you get to know the guys, and I think this is fine. This is is definitely the antidote and dose of real life that you do NOT get in an abstract wargame like SPWaW ( even though it DOES have its share of boredom on occassion).

You cannot deny that the glory and non-stop action of sensationalistic books and movies don't portray the real-life experience as well as these two miniseries do.

Now, strictly speaking, the "BoB" packaging is much superior to "Das Boot" uncut. Nevertheless, if you wanna "get real", at least as well as a dramatic recreation can do, then these are it.

Holy Cow! A FIVE HOUR version of Das Boot? I thought it was a great movie as it was. Is the 5 hour version available anywhere? Nobody else in my house would sit through five hours of it, but I would if it's good.

[Mark Carver]

ORIGINAL: Chris Trog

I'd actually have to wonder what other war movie DVD pack it has to compete against?

The Kelly's Heroes DVD Pack? The Battle of the Bulge DVD Pack?

Even the Saving Private Ryan DVD pack? The field really is pretty small.

FWIW...

The Battle of the Bulge has yet to make it to DVD... at least the Henry Fonda, Robert Shaw and Robert Ryan movie version.

[freeboy]

I grew up watching Victory at Sea, it was pretty cool,
Love both Das boot and BOB, am a huge airwar fan, so love Blue Max.. WW1 and BOB, Battle of Brittian.. but my favorite mini was a BBC on a group of Brit pilots in WW2.. anyone remember the name, I have forgotten it? ok, that and Band bob

[wodin]

Erm BBC........."Piece of Cake"? Well the book was called "Piece of Cake"

Based on the book. The book is far better. Its sequel is good too. Well worth a read. Although his best series was his WW1 RFC books. Author Derek Robinson.