|
In fact the biggest name on the cast was David Schwimmer
from Friends. There was a lot of flak from critics
about his use as a bully-boy, however, I thought he played
the role particularly well. (Not being a watcher of Friends
probably helped too!)
Anyway, putting aside the need for an early
night on Mondays became a ritual as I got caught up in the
adventures and lives of the men of Easy Company, in the 506th
regiment of the 101st airborne division.
Band of Brothers is very similar in style
to the brilliant Saving Private
Ryan and it doesn't shy away from blood, guts and
killing off characters. (Mind you, is it based on real life
people so I guess there was little room for sentiment.)
It is exciting viewing and has the best battlescenes
ever made for TV. And that's not surprising as the series
cost about $250million to produce and looking at the imagery
leaves you in no doubt about where the money was spent.
The use of digital effects - particularly during
the parachute jump scenes - is cinema quality. Spielberg and
Hanks did not muck around when spending what they thought
necessary to get the desired result and the reward was not
only stunning TV - but a bucketful of Emmys.
The photography is utterly superb and the subtle
use of grain and muted colours adds a period-quality to the
look.
Another very likeable thing about Band of
Brothers is its refusal to paint all the Americans as
good guys. There is Allied pillaging, robbing, even the shooting
of prisoners and civilians, and the characters are well-rounded
and involving.
Many of the incidents portrayed come from the
diaries, letters and interviews with survivors, and both Spielberg
and Hanks have gone a very long way to serve up a thoroughly
believable set of men.
The 10-episode series covers four years of WW2
from parachute training, through D-Day and the assault on
the Normandy beaches, the battle to liberate France, Operation
Market Garden (a Bridge Too Far), the Battle of the Bulge,
freeing concentration camp prisoners and capturing Hitler's
Eagle's Nest.
Two of the key characters are the young officers
Richard Winters (Damian Lewis) and Lewis Nixon (Ron Livingston)
and it is mainly through them you see the war unfold.
There are no weak links in the cast and the
full-on action and drama will have you absolutely riveted
to your screen.
On DVD the screen ratio is 1.78:1, wider than
your normal TV, and the video transfer is excellent. Sound-wise
Band of Brothers will make full use of your surround
facilities (it being Dolby Digital 5.1).
Having forsaken sleep over a three-month period
to watch this series on late-night TV, I can honestly say
that having it on DVD not only allows for watching it in longer
sessions, but also gives the benefit of superior sound and
vision.
A must for those who love action/war movies!
Episodes
Currahee
Day Of Days
Carentan
Replacements
Crossroads
Bastogne
The Breaking Point
The Patrol
Why We Fight
Points
Conclusion: Movie 90% Extras 80%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
|
