BAND OF BROTHERS: Television Miniseries (HBO Television Release USA 2001)

 Ben Meyers’ Summery Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

 Summary of Band of Brothers: Television Mini Series

 Band of Brothers- is a television mini-series, aired on HBO, that maintains high quality in presentation, portrayal, writing, and acting. The series easily earns its watch. The episodes not only provide excellence in viewing but good after viewing discussion with strong emphasis on high ethical standards, courage, loyalty, and duty. Different phases of military experience are explored to include difficulties of adjusting to actual combat, changes in command, integration of new replacements into established teams, and relaxing conditions as a war winds down to its conclusion.

 Television Series Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Each episode follows the narrative of a World War II company of soldiers from their training, their deployment to France, their invasion of Germany, and the conclusion of war with the surrender of Japan. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to the eight directors who applied their skill in directing this series: Phil Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Mikael Salomon, David Nutter, Tom Hanks, David Leland, David Frankel, and Tony To. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for making the film possible. Cast includes: Elon Bailey, Michael Cuditz, Dale Dye, Rick Gomez, Scott Grimes, Frank John Hughes, Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, James Madio, Neal McDonough, Renee Moreno, David Schwimmer, Richard Speight Jr., Donnie Wahlberg, Ross McCall, Colin Hanks, Dexter Fletcher, Shane Taylor, Marc Warren, Rick Warden, Douglas Spain, and Matthew Settle. 

Buy this Ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This mini-series marks itself as an outstanding example of consistency of quality presentation from its first episode to the tenth episode. Do not miss this mini-series. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

Episode 1

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Currahee  begins at the beginning of one’s life in the military during wartime and sets the stage for all mini-series’ episodes that follow. Great work for all involved. Thank you for the outstanding introduction to the series. 

Television Episode Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The first episode deals with training and field experience. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director Phil Robinson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for making the mini-series possible. 

Buy a Ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This episode is a necessary watch as it sets the stage for the rest of the mini-series. It creates anticipation for the rest of the story.

 

Ben Meyers

Episode 2

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Day of Days—scope with great cinematography—has terrific airplane scenes. This episode gets into the meat of the action and sets the tone for the rest of the series. 

Television Episode Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The second episode deals with entry into Normandy and encounter with German artillery. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director Richard Loncraine for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for making the mini-series possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This episode begins to establish the guts of the story and emphasize real time battle engagement. 

Ben Meyers

Episode 3

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Carentan—increases action scenes—opens WWII battle scenes to increase understanding of trials on the ground. The portrayal and acting are outstanding. 

Television Episode Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Episode three deals with men dying in battle and the devastating effects of dealing with being under fire. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director Mikael Salomon for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for making the mini-series possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The trek into German-occupied territory is a difficult episode to watch, but realistically portrayed.

 Ben Meyers

Episode 4

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Replacements—exceptionally realistic and relevant—has no emotion spared with its field engagement with Germans. The acting is superb and allows some actors to achieve later fame through their acting here. To know that men experience these events is humbling. Great work for Director David Nutter (also known as director for several 1993 X-Files episodes). 

Television Episode Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Episode 4 deals with being a new replacement and the difficulties of being accepted by an old team and entry into a new country. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director David Nutter for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for making the mini-series possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This episode has more emotion and continues to reprise the roles of significant actors within the series. 

Ben Meyers

Episode 5

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Crossroads—raid on German soldiers—features events that Richard D. Lewis experienced and documented. Director Tom Hanks does a terrific job of setting up for the next episode: Bastogne. 

Television Episode Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Episode 5 deals with promotion and change of command. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director Tom Hanks for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for making the mini-series possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The series explores a wide range of military experience that it makes it a virtual study of military life and very likely one of the best World War II series marketed.

 Ben Meyers

Episode 6

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Bastogne—gory and violent—begins making a strong statement about wartime conditions after prolonged exposure to action. 

Television Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Episode 6 deals with difficult weather conditions, lack of adequate medical supplies, and low rations. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director David Leland for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for making the mini-series possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This episode educates about the events surrounding low rations of everything needed to sustain life. 

Ben Meyers

Episode 7

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

The Breaking Point —explosions and death—contains strong realism in cinematography. The script has been particularly well-written to take its audience to a place no one wants to go. 

Television Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline 

Episode 7 deals with the difficulty of multiple deaths, changes of command, and life changing physical disability. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director David Frankel for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for making the mini-series possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This episode deals with some tough wartime situations that balance the overall series. 

Ben Meyers

Episode 8

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

The Last Patrol—moves along well—sets its audience up for the last two episodes of the mini-series. Great work for Director Tony To. 

Television Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Episode 8 deals with inexperienced commanders and interrogation of wartime prisoners. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director Tony To for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for making the mini-series possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Watch for Colin Hanks’ performance as Lieutenant Henry Jones. 

Ben Meyers

Episode 9

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

Why We Fight —interesting, worth watching—begins closure of the series. Thank you for a terrific episode that begins the winddown to the conclusion episode. 

Television Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Episode 9 deals with entering Germany and information that Hitler is dead. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director David Frankel for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for making the mini-series possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It is a relief to see combat soldiers as the war winds down to a conclusion with the contemplation of returning to home and family. 

Ben Meyers

Episode 10

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Points—winning conclusion—provides relief from the intensity of this story. It’s been a joy to see from its beginning to its end because of its terrific skill to educate and inform about the courage and perseverance needed to withstand the events of war and battle engagement. It‘s interesting to watch the professionalism of Tom Hardy and Michael Fassbender as well as the regular actors of this series like Damian Lewis and Ron Livingston. Thank you for a great Season 1 that honors men in arms. 

Television Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Episode 10 deals with an easing of life and the announcement of Japan’s surrender. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank You to Director Mikael Salomon for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for making the mini-series possible. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This episode concludes the television series as the war winds down to the surrender of Japan. It emphasizes the skill of Director Mikael Salomon. 

Ben Meyers