Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
A genuinely epic achievement, the 10-part World War II drama Band of Brothers is a television series that makes big-screen Hollywood war movies look small in comparison. Based on the book by historian Stephen Ambrose, the series follows the US 101st Airborne Division's "Easy" E-Company from initial training through D-Day and across Holland, Belgium, Germany and Austria until the end of the war. Coproduced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the series take its initial inspiration from Saving Private Ryan and borrows that film's visceral visual approach to combat scenes using hand-held camerawork and de-saturated photography. But where Band of Brothers excels is in its scrupulous attention to the realities of military life (retired US Marine Captain Dale Dye, who also co-stars, is the man to credit).
After the high drama of the parachute drop on D-Day, Easy's greatest trial comes during the Battle of the Bulge, when they are besieged at Bastogne in the depths of winter. In one of the most harrowing and credible depictions of war ever committed to film we see the men enduring the repeated artillery attacks of the German forces and experience, if only vicariously, some of the sheer terror of the assault, while being humbled by the soldiers' courage and determination. Such feelings are enhanced by the series' masterstroke--bookend interviews with the surviving members of Easy Company, who talk with barely suppressed emotion of the experiences we see recreated. The endorsement of these veterans elevates Band of Brothers beyond any mere "war film"--its extraordinary achievement is that it shows the horror and savagery of war without gloss or jingoism, and yet celebrates the fraternal bonds and dogged heroism of the men who fought.
On the DVD: Band of Brothers arrives handsomely packaged in a six-disc box set with two episodes on each of the first five discs. Sound (Dolby 5.1) and picture (1.78:1 widescreen) only enhance the series' epic credentials. Disc 6 contains all the extras, the meatiest of which is the marvellous 80-minute documentary "We Stand Alone Together" about the real men of Easy Company. There's also a first-rate, genuinely interesting 30-minute "making of" feature about actor boot camp, visual effects and blowing up fake trees among many other things. This is complemented by actor Ron Livingston's revealing Video Diaries of boot camp. Additionally there's a "Who's Who" section and footage of the HBO premiere at Utah Beach, plus a TV spot for car company Jeep. --Mark Walker
Product Description
This 10-part HBO television miniseries focuses on Easy Company, a group of American soldiers in World War II, tracking their experiences from the beginning of boot camp to the end of the war. Anchored by actors Damian Lewis and Ron Livingston, the series gives detailed attention to their experiences as a group, as well as the way that each of them develops individually. Based on historian Stephen E. Ambrose's book of real-life accounts, BAND OF BROTHERS was executive produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, who worked together on SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. Hanks also directed one episode, featuring his son, Colin Hanks.
Special Features
- 'We Stand Alone Together: The Men Of Easy Company' documentary featuring interviews with real-life members of Easy Company whose efforts are dramatised in the series (80 mins)
- 'The Making Of Band Of Brothers' documentary (30 mins)
- 'Video Diaries': actor Ron Livingston's personal experience of being part of the huge production
- Footage from HBO's premiere screening on the beaches of Normandy
- Character biographies
- Stills gallery
- Web links
- Interactive menu
- Chapter selection
- Series index
- Actors
Damian Lewis, Donnie Wahlberg, Ron Livingston, Matthew Settle, Dale Dye, Scott Grimes, Neal McDonough, Kirk Acevedo, Dexter Fletcher, David Schwimmer, Colin Hanks, Simon Pegg & Marc Warren
- Director
Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Mikael Salomon, David Nutter, David Leland & Tom Hanks
- Certificate
15 years and over
- Year
2001
- S
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
87 of 89 people found the following review helpful
By Koz
Format:DVD
I was forced into watching this by a friend and only really agreed because i'm a Damian Lewis fan but i now have to admit that it was absolutely superb! I cannot criticise any aspect of this programme. I genuinely felt like I knew the characters and, as the end was approaching and casualties were amassing, I desperately wanted the 'brothers' to make it through. The scenery was so realistic that it could easily have been war-torn Europe in the 1940's.
As someone who doesn't generally like war films I can honestly say that this isn't typical of the genre as it is character based rather than just a stream of special effects laden scenes (although there are some amazing special effects). A particularly unique feature is that the surviving members of 'Easy Company' introduce each episode, as the entire story is based on real events. Spielburg even had the forethoughht to not inform the audience of the identity of the veterans until the end so that we wouldn't know who lived or died.
This programme reminds us of what normal men did for their countries and the world and I think 'B.o.B' shows us that we should never forget what those heroes endured for us all.
'Band of Brothers' is truly poignant and moving, a credit to the excellent cast and crew (and not forgetting the real men of 'Easy Company'), and I cannot recommend this highly enough.
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I absolutely loved this drama when it was broadcast by the BBC, watching it again on DVD was fantastic. It took nothing away from the story I remembered from it's first telling. Each episode is visually stunning, emotionally and honestly acted and possibly the best American/ British collaboration of actors and performances I have ever seen. It brought WW2 to life for me, both historically and in the recounting of the personal tales of the members of Easy Company. The bonus disc is packed full of behind the scene's footage, interviews and Ron Livingston's video diary which are all highly engaging. Absolutely fantastic, I will keep this forever!
199 of 206 people found the following review helpful
By DooFi
Format:Blu-ray
Audio:
- English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Spanish: Digital Stereo
- French: Digital Stereo
Subs:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- English for the hearing impaired
I wish amazon would provide this information, but seeing as it's not even on the damn box...
- English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Spanish: Digital Stereo
- French: Digital Stereo
Subs:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- English for the hearing impaired
I wish amazon would provide this information, but seeing as it's not even on the damn box...
284 of 295 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
'Band of Brothers' is the finest TV series I have ever seen. A bold statement maybe, but one that stands up to scrutiny in my opinion. Yes, 'The Sopranos' is a brilliant drama and '24' is a top-class thriller, but 'B.O.B' just has that epic feel, that you are watching something that might never be repeated or certainly bettered. The story of the men of Easy Company of the 101st Airborne is one that deserves telling; these heavily-trained young soldiers suffered on the front line of the majority of the crucial battles during the American involvement in World War 2. They forged an unusually tight bond with each other and were led by some of the finest soldiers of the war. It could also be justifiably said that they, as a company, sacrificed more than the usual.
The ten-part series consists of hour-long forays in to the viewpoint of different soldier's experiences, from a major to a medic. The action is superbly visceral and realistic, using the same shaky, hand-held camera techniques seen in 'Saving Private Ryan,' to which B.O.B is a close relative, sharing the Spielberg/Hanks connection as well as the subject matter. Action aside however, it is the depth of characterisation that sets this series apart. Granted, the running time allows for this, but it is beautifully done nonetheless. We gain a real insight into many of the men's characters, from the joker George Luz to the bitter Sobel, the cynic Nixon to the dignified Winters. Indeed, these two characters are so finely crafted it is easy to forget that these actors are not in fact the real men. British star Damian Lewis is outstanding as Major Richard Winters, the glue that holds 'Easy' together.... Read more ›
The ten-part series consists of hour-long forays in to the viewpoint of different soldier's experiences, from a major to a medic. The action is superbly visceral and realistic, using the same shaky, hand-held camera techniques seen in 'Saving Private Ryan,' to which B.O.B is a close relative, sharing the Spielberg/Hanks connection as well as the subject matter. Action aside however, it is the depth of characterisation that sets this series apart. Granted, the running time allows for this, but it is beautifully done nonetheless. We gain a real insight into many of the men's characters, from the joker George Luz to the bitter Sobel, the cynic Nixon to the dignified Winters. Indeed, these two characters are so finely crafted it is easy to forget that these actors are not in fact the real men. British star Damian Lewis is outstanding as Major Richard Winters, the glue that holds 'Easy' together.... Read more ›
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By muttmummy
Format:DVD
I got this on a whim, doubtful I'd actually like it; I was sure it'd be another typical Hollywood hatchet job.
I was very wrong; turns out it's the best investment I've made in a very long time. In fact, I got so hooked that I watched the entire 10 episodes (nearly 10 hours) in under 2 days.
This is a unique and unparalleled work in every respect; even Saving Private Ryan fails to stand up to Hanks and Spielberg's efforts here. Every aspect from casting to the camera-work and special effects is simply stunning.
You truly are missing something very special if you don't watch BOB, and this particular DVD version is wonderfully compiled. All 10 episodes plus special extras give you in excess of 13 hours viewing material. The discs come in a folding pack sealed inside a sterdy metal container and the layout is extremely well done.
I'm so glad I acquired this work - even after 10 hours in 2 days, I am ready to get disc 1 back in to start all over again.
The most powerful aspect of this work, is that it is a faithful portrayl of reality - real people, real events (some of the surviving men are involved in the work). What BOB gives you in terms of an understanding of war and those caught up in it, is priceless and I am moved beyond words at what these men, and all who fought for good, sacrificed and suffered to help bring the rest of us peace and hope.
Truly amazing - don't miss it.
I was very wrong; turns out it's the best investment I've made in a very long time. In fact, I got so hooked that I watched the entire 10 episodes (nearly 10 hours) in under 2 days.
This is a unique and unparalleled work in every respect; even Saving Private Ryan fails to stand up to Hanks and Spielberg's efforts here. Every aspect from casting to the camera-work and special effects is simply stunning.
You truly are missing something very special if you don't watch BOB, and this particular DVD version is wonderfully compiled. All 10 episodes plus special extras give you in excess of 13 hours viewing material. The discs come in a folding pack sealed inside a sterdy metal container and the layout is extremely well done.
I'm so glad I acquired this work - even after 10 hours in 2 days, I am ready to get disc 1 back in to start all over again.
The most powerful aspect of this work, is that it is a faithful portrayl of reality - real people, real events (some of the surviving men are involved in the work). What BOB gives you in terms of an understanding of war and those caught up in it, is priceless and I am moved beyond words at what these men, and all who fought for good, sacrificed and suffered to help bring the rest of us peace and hope.
Truly amazing - don't miss it.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 2,027 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Must be a good watch
I bought this for my brother for Chrsitmas and, although I haven't watched it myself, he and his friends watched all eleven hours of it in one day and really enjoyed it!
Published 4 days ago by helen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow!
It's diffucult to add anything to what has already been said; However, there are a few things that are a given:
1. Read more
1. Read more
Published 6 days ago by MC
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best TV show ever!!
What is there that's left to be said about Band of Brothers? If you haven't seen this then it's a must have, it really does take on a journey through the lives of these men during... Read more
Published 6 days ago by C-87
5.0 out of 5 stars
Do yourself a favour and watch this!!
Close the curtains, lock the door, take the phone of the hook and sit down to all watch all episodes back to back and you cannot fail to be amazed by what these chaps when through. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Mr Andrew Major
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best ever TV series
This is the BEST EVER TV Series I have watched. Filmed in ENGLAND with a equal mix of both ENGLISH and American actors... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Mr. D Tippins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
The only problem I have with this box is that I do not know what to do with it now that I've watched all the episodes.
Published 10 days ago by Thomas Rosenquist
5.0 out of 5 stars
classic
Brilliant piece of work yet to be bettered in my opinion.Gripping & at times deeply moving with outstanding performances & stunning special effects.
Published 20 days ago by Ian Dickinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!
Great acting and very engaging, the whole series is very entertaining! The events are based on actual events which adds even more value to it
Published 23 days ago by Robert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easy Co. I dont think so - oh how they struggle
This DVD is great, sad, but great. The quality is superb in Blue Ray , its like being on the battle field. Haven't watched them all yet watched 3 and each as good as the other. Read more
Published 26 days ago by yerdua
5.0 out of 5 stars
gift
watched many times and still very moving. Even those who would not choose this genre of film have been mesmerised
Published 28 days ago by Mrs W Jackson
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
