Topic: Band of Brothers.

[Sangria]

Also add in Damien Lewis who happens to be a big red too.

I'd definitely watch Band Of Brothers first though it's a masterpiece, although having said that the portrait of Captain Sobel is controversial, apparently he wasn't as inept & incompetent as the series made him out to be, even the real life veterans of Easy Company have said so.

And the replacement Lieutenant who is portrayed as being missing most of the time was supposed to have been considerably better than depicted. Are there any members of Easy Company still alive?

Looked it up. Edward Shames, the Lt who is depicted as a yeller at his men, is still alive. Ironically, Ed Tipper, the soldier who was severely wounded by a booby trap in a shop at Carentan, was one of the last survivors. Wiki says there are a couple of other survivors, but I don't think they appeared in the series.

[gazzalfc]

Norman Dike was also portrayed more badly on the show than he was in real life. He was apparently a bit lazy but his breakdown on the battlefield was down to him getting shot in the shoulder.

Stephen E. Ambrose did have a habit of a few stretches of the truth in his books.

Mix in the cinematic stretches taken by Hanks and Spielberg.

Unfortunately Dom Malarkey passed away a few years ago and he was the final E company veteran portrayed on the show

[Statto Red]

One irony Captain Sobel who ended up being transferred elsewhere, would have been on the plane that was shot down on D-Day & killed, the remains of the plane & crew were found in the early 50s

[Sangria]

Norman Dike was also portrayed more badly on the show than he was in real life. He was apparently a bit lazy but his breakdown on the battlefield was down to him getting shot in the shoulder.

Stephen E. Ambrose did have a habit of a few stretches of the truth in his books.

Mix in the cinematic stretches taken by Hanks and Spielberg.

Unfortunately Dom Malarkey passed away a few years ago and he was the final E company veteran portrayed on the show

Edward Shames is still alive. He's one of the Lts considered for replacing Dike in episode 7, shown as yelling at his men (Malarkey says of him, in talking about Dike, "I wish he'd take Lt. Shames with him", and Lipton tells him to shut up).

If you like the parts of The Pacific that were in the same vein as BoB, I recommend "With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa" by Eugene Sledge. AA "Ack-ack" Haldane deserves to be read about.

[Alan_X]

Might watch this again. A true masterpiece.

Interesting trivia - Damian Lewis was on our plane out to Kiev. The fucker got another flight back and we were delayed for ages while they kept making a last call for Lewis Damian.

[Medellin]

Might watch this again. A true masterpiece.

Interesting trivia - Damian Lewis was on our plane out to Kiev. The fucker got another flight back and we were delayed for ages while they kept making a last call for Lewis Damian.

Halfway through it again*

The personal stories really hit home at the start to each.

Onto The Pacific after again*

[Libertine]

Norman Dike was also portrayed more badly on the show than he was in real life. He was apparently a bit lazy but his breakdown on the battlefield was down to him getting shot in the shoulder.

Stephen E. Ambrose did have a habit of a few stretches of the truth in his books.

Mix in the cinematic stretches taken by Hanks and Spielberg.

Unfortunately Dom Malarkey passed away a few years ago and he was the final E company veteran portrayed on the show

They may have stretched the truth a bit on the specifics, but the series as a whole is such a wonderful study in leadership in its various forms - Winters, Sobel, Dyke, Lipton, Speirs.

You could base a whole MBA on the series. Maybe someone already has....

[Sangria]

They may have stretched the truth a bit on the specifics, but the series as a whole is such a wonderful study in leadership in its various forms - Winters, Sobel, Dyke, Lipton, Speirs.

You could base a whole MBA on the series. Maybe someone already has....

If you haven't read it, I also recommend Watership Down, a tale of rabbits moving warren. It's also a study of different types of leadership from Airborne officers.

[gazzalfc]

They may have stretched the truth a bit on the specifics, but the series as a whole is such a wonderful study in leadership in its various forms - Winters, Sobel, Dyke, Lipton, Speirs.

You could base a whole MBA on the series. Maybe someone already has....

Oh dont get me wrong. I have said numerous times that I consider Band of Brothers the greatest TV show ever made.

[AndyMuller]

Episode 9 might be the saddest piece of television I’ve ever seen.

[AndyMuller]

Finished it. Nearly choked up at the end once again.

Outstanding television.

[MBL?]

Another here that might watch it again. Must be the best mini series ever made?

[courty61]

Bumping an old thread just as I stumbled across an HBO podcast on Band of Brothers. 2 episodes in and enjoying it so far.

Caused me to download it over all over again on my sky box. Brilliant television

[jymbojetset]

Bumping an old thread just as I stumbled across an HBO podcast on Band of Brothers. 2 episodes in and enjoying it so far.

Caused me to download it over all over again on my sky box. Brilliant television

If you enjoy reading - the book on which is based is fantastic 👌

[newterp]

If you enjoy reading - the book on which is based is fantastic 👌

indeed. as are many of Ambrose's war books.

[Schmarn]

Just started rewatching this with my eldest.

Goodness does it ever pass the test of time. Absolutely brilliant and I’ll never get over David Schwimmer as a convincing bastard. The gravity of the task ahead of them is beautifully rendered without false drama and by showing not telling.

So many cameos by actors who went on to be huge too.

[meady1981]

I actually watched a thing recently with the actor who played Dyke, and he was passionately defending Dyke and quite upset about his portrayal in the series. Bit of further investigation and he was actually quite a decorated soldier who fought all the way up to Korea, and not really the cowardly guy they made him out to be. There were a couple of other discrepancies with characters as well, wish I hadn't of watched it.     

[Sangria]

I actually watched a thing recently with the actor who played Dyke, and he was passionately defending Dyke and quite upset about his portrayal in the series. Bit of further investigation and he was actually quite a decorated soldier who fought all the way up to Korea, and not really the cowardly guy they made him out to be. There were a couple of other discrepancies with characters as well, wish I hadn't of watched it.     

AFAICS, Dike wasn't part of the "in" group immortalised in BoB. Which is fair enough, as he found a place elsewhere. But people shouldn't hate individuals based on their depiction in BoB, either the series or the book. Sobel's the main villain of the piece, but he seems to have been competent in all areas that don't involve the frontline, and accepted his place in the Army. He was a mainstay of the logistics that supported Easy Company and other units, and didn't seem to bear any grudges. The same can't be said for his former subordinates towards him.

[meady1981]

AFAICS, Dike wasn't part of the "in" group immortalised in BoB. Which is fair enough, as he found a place elsewhere. But people shouldn't hate individuals based on their depiction in BoB, either the series or the book. Sobel's the main villain of the piece, but he seems to have been competent in all areas that don't involve the frontline, and accepted his place in the Army. He was a mainstay of the logistics that supported Easy Company and other units, and didn't seem to bear any grudges. The same can't be said for his former subordinates towards him.

I went down quite the rabbit hole of aficionados on Reddit who seemed to know a lot about all of this. The running theme was there was this clique of the main guys who maybe re-wrote history a bit of the ones who weren’t in it. I think Webster got a bit of kicking for some reason. Anyway, not taking anything away from BoB, best series of all time in my opinion. Certainly best War ‘piece’.

[Sangria]

I went down quite the rabbit hole of aficionados on Reddit who seemed to know a lot about all of this. The running theme was there was this clique of the main guys who maybe re-wrote history a bit of the ones who weren’t in it. I think Webster got a bit of kicking for some reason. Anyway, not taking anything away from BoB, best series of all time in my opinion. Certainly best War ‘piece’.

Think of it as a collective memoir, and you're good to go. People are allowed to remember things as they wish to remember them, and they're a good primary source. Just don't use them as a sole source.

[gazzalfc]

A few of the actors are doing a parachute jump on Normandy in June to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day

[meady1981]

Just gone back and rewatched Pacific.
I possibly was a little down on it originally because it wasn’t as good as Band of Brothers. But I enjoyed it this  time because it was infinitely better than Masters of the Air.

The war scenes are incredible. Think it drags a lot on the Basilone love story which adds nothing. All a bit shmultzy - the Australia episode is more than enough ‘real’ life. But yeah, It is a lot better than I gave it credit for at the time.


I remember seeing a documentary once and it had BoB and Pacific vets and their family talking about their life after the war and dealing with all the shit theyd seen. It felt like it was made by the same people as the series, but I just can’t remember its name or find any record of it. Anyone know what on earth I’m talking about?

[Only Me]

Just gone back and rewatched Pacific.
I possibly was a little down on it originally because it wasn’t as good as Band of Brothers. But I enjoyed it this  time because it was infinitely better than Masters of the Air.

The war scenes are incredible. Think it drags a lot on the Basilone love story which adds nothing. All a bit shmultzy - the Australia episode is more than enough ‘real’ life. But yeah, It is a lot better than I gave it credit for at the time.


I remember seeing a documentary once and it had BoB and Pacific vets and their family talking about their life after the war and dealing with all the shit theyd seen. It felt like it was made by the same people as the series, but I just can’t remember its name or find any record of it. Anyone know what on earth I’m talking about?

I saw one called something like “I have seen war” or “I have been in war” which sounds like the one you’re talking about mate.

[meady1981]

He has seen war. That’s it!
Cheers mate

[Only Me]

He has seen war. That’s it!
Cheers mate

Ah nice one, glad you found it. Boss watch that.

I was nearly right, I knew someone had seen war 😀

[Sangria]

Just gone back and rewatched Pacific.
I possibly was a little down on it originally because it wasn’t as good as Band of Brothers. But I enjoyed it this  time because it was infinitely better than Masters of the Air.

The war scenes are incredible. Think it drags a lot on the Basilone love story which adds nothing. All a bit shmultzy - the Australia episode is more than enough ‘real’ life. But yeah, It is a lot better than I gave it credit for at the time.


I remember seeing a documentary once and it had BoB and Pacific vets and their family talking about their life after the war and dealing with all the shit theyd seen. It felt like it was made by the same people as the series, but I just can’t remember its name or find any record of it. Anyone know what on earth I’m talking about?

The main part of the series (The Pacific) is based on two memoirs: With the Old Breed At Peleliu and Okinawa by Eugene Sledge, and Helmet For My Pillow by Robert Leckie. Unlike Band of Brothers, which was based on accounts recorded by Stephen Ambrose, these are primary accounts written by extremely literate and self aware players in the events.

Another memoir I recommend is Brazen Chariots by Robert Crisp.

[meady1981]

Yep, read them all 🤗

Even all the WW1 ones, Goodbye to all that, Storm of Steel, some Sassoon bits etc.

I had to ban myself reading books about war at one point it’s all I would read.

[Jayoldbigears]

Band of Brothers
Best mini series ever. ( Just Epic )
Have the box set burnt out watched it that many times.

[Crosby Nick]

I’ve never watched this properly. Family are away next week so I might crack through it.

Was just looking at the Cast on wiki as I knew it had a few people who have gone on to big things. Listed in the Minor characters are Tom Hardy, Andrew Scott, Stephen Graham, James McAvoy and Simon Pegg. Are they all blink and you miss them cameos? Some list.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

I’ve never watched this properly. Family are away next week so I might crack through it.

Was just looking at the Cast on wiki as I knew it had a few people who have gone on to big things. Listed in the Minor characters are Tom Hardy, Andrew Scott, Stephen Graham, James McAvoy and Simon Pegg. Are they all blink and you miss them cameos? Some list.

I must have watched it a dozen times now & it never fails to impress, easily top of the genre (tv).

[mattD]

I'm not a big watcher of TV, certainly not of 'boxsets' or dramas, but this is the standout one for me.

Slam dunk one of the greatest TV shows ever made.

[gazzalfc]

I’ve never watched this properly. Family are away next week so I might crack through it.

Was just looking at the Cast on wiki as I knew it had a few people who have gone on to big things. Listed in the Minor characters are Tom Hardy, Andrew Scott, Stephen Graham, James McAvoy and Simon Pegg. Are they all blink and you miss them cameos? Some list.

Most are only in a few episodes. Stephen Graham probably in it the most out of those.

The one you missed is a very young Jimmy Fallon from the American talk show. He is a very blink and you'll miss it.

Michael Fassbender is in it as well

[Sangria]

Most are only in a few episodes. Stephen Graham probably in it the most out of those.

The one you missed is a very young Jimmy Fallon from the American talk show. He is a very blink and you'll miss it.

Michael Fassbender is in it as well

You see more of Tom Hardy than any of the others. All of him, in fact.

[courty61]

A lot of the main cast are UK actors too. As they filmed it in England and the actors were cheaper than their US counterparts

[So… Howard Philips]

Just started watching this and it’s excellent.

[Qston]

Just started watching this and it’s excellent.

One of the best TV shows of all time. Certainly the best history based drama of all time

[Crosby Nick]

Same, watched the first two episodes tonight. Fighting scenes are good but a tough watch in every sense. Fuck knows how anyone knew who was shooting at who in those days!

[classycarra]

I’ve never watched this properly. Family are away next week so I might crack through it.

Was just looking at the Cast on wiki as I knew it had a few people who have gone on to big things. Listed in the Minor characters are Tom Hardy, Andrew Scott, Stephen Graham, James McAvoy and Simon Pegg. Are they all blink and you miss them cameos? Some list.

Dominic Cooper and Michael Fassbender in that list too.

[Qston]

Same, watched the first two episodes tonight. Fighting scenes are good but a tough watch in every sense. Fuck knows how anyone knew who was shooting at who in those days!

Wait until you get to Bastogne and Why We Fight. Powerful TV, very powerful.

[Qston]

For any newcomers to Band of Brothers, I also recommend Pacific. It isn`t an 'easy' (for want of a better word) watch as Band of Brothers, but stick with it as it is superb as well. Not quite as good as Band of Brothers, but certainly miles better than most TV shows of that ilk.