Watch our Reactioon to the Band of Brothers Documentary "We Stand Alone Together: The Men of Easy Company" a week early at www.patreon.com/blindwave Raw Rider Patrons can watch the Full Length Reaction HERE: blindwavellc.com/band-of-brothers-1x06-full/ This video were published during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the episode being covered here wouldn't exist. #SAGAFTRAstrike #SAGAFTRAstrong Support the Entertainment Community Fund for struggling strikers HERE: entertainmentcommunity.org/
Two lines make me cry every time I watch this episode. “My friend, Lew, died in 1995.” And “But I served in the company of heroes.” So glad y’all watched this and loved it!
I watch Band of Brothers a couple of times every year. It's a great reminder of the sacrifices made and the toll of war. The crew and cast sought out to make living, breathing documents, and they succeeded. I'm so glad y'all reacted to this. I hope The Pacific is soon to follow.
@@iammanofnature235 that's how depictions, made by people who weren't there, usually go. It's not a documentary. Welcome to film and television. P.S. it's told from the POV of specific men. No one ever has 100% of the story in situations as dire and chaotic as these.
There's a photo of Lewis Nixon waking up the morning after celebrating with Hermann Goering's champagne - you should definitely look it up. Not only does he look stunningly hungover, he also is the spitting image of Ron Livingston.
@@JeffKelly03 Yeah casting did a wonderful job. Most of the actors bear resemblances to the real life vets. In one of the episodes of the Band of Brothers podcast Frank John Hughes (who plays Guarnere) talks a bit about meeting the veterans and how the actors realized they were "ghosts", and how the vets were walking around amongst ghosts of their younger selves.
Thank you for that information. That photo is really hilarious and it makes me wonder how much alcohol he brought back with him. It looks like he took a big chunk of what was in the Eagles Nest 🤣
@@doriandery Yep. Casting purposely tried to find people who looked similar to their real life counterparts. I remember the story of the real life Winters poking his head into a truck, then having to retreat because he saw a truck full of ghosts from the past.
The Pacific is very different from Band of Brothers but (I think) equally as good. The challenge is there isn't a single company that fought in all the major campaigns of the Pacific Theatre unlike Easy in the ETO, so you can't really follow a single group through the war as we could in BoB. The Pacific instead focuses on the perspectives of three individual Marines from separate companies and their experiences (and yes it's based on a couple of books). It's also much more brutal... Band of Brothers really focuses on the brotherhood and bonds that form between men who fight together. The Pacific is about the brutality of war and how it can completely strip men of their humanity and sanity. Very, very different, but very, very good. I really, really hope you guys get around to it at some point!
Very true. Hopefully after Apple does Mastera of Air they do a Navy perspective and the could follow the Big E (Enterprise) since it made it through the entire war from beginning to the end
I hope they do a job on masters of the air if it's near as good as BOB then it will be great. I didn't enjoy the Pacific as much character development wasn't as good for me.
@@BOO66IOUthat’s because it’s not about character development, it comes from combat memoirs written by the veterans themselves rather than someone gathering these stories and creating a narrative out of it like Band of Brothers.
One person that never gets mentioned is Sobel. He retired a Lt Colonel, but tried to commit suicide with a handgun in 1970. He blinded himself completely, went into VA assisted living and died of malnutrition in 87. There were no memorials held for him.
One thing I always think about is how many guys went straight from civilian life, put into leadership positions, and had to learn on the job. Winters was clearly a better leader but also had the advantage of having responsibility slowly added to him. He also had the opportunity to learn from Sobel what not to do. Sobel's insecurities were evident from the first episode but what if he started out as a first lieutenant and gradually promoted to give him confidence? That's how it normally works in an army but you can't do that in a mass mobilization. The responsibility brought out the worst in him and the men of Easy Company never forgave him.
You’re one of the only channels I’ve seen who didn’t cut the ending into a million pieces. It’s one of the most moving pieces of film and I appreciate the way you guys edited and let the end roll.
Ron Livingston (Captain Nixon) posted a series of videos from their "boot camp". And the cast still gets together in reunions just like Easy Company did.
Chernobyl is pretty close there too. But I agree with you. Band of Brothers along with The Sopranos paved the way to the world of streaming services we have now. They realized there was a niche not being exploited there.
Had the pleasure of talking with Wild Bill a bunch - my boss grew up on the same block as him. Funny as hell, and never let the missing leg slow him down one damn bit. I may misremember some of the specifics, but one story he told was in the 50s or 60s in the summer time. No AC in South Philly then, so he had his front door open with just the screen door closed. Some guy was drunk or high and barged in yelling or something. Wild Bill got up out of his chair, no crutch, hopped over and grabbed his rifle off the mantle and the guy turned and ran. Cops caught him like a block away trying to get in someone else's house.
One of the lines that struck me was when the general is interviewing Winters and it came to when Winters became the battalion XO and the general says, "The bastards took your company away." That general had once been a company commander in his younger days so he knew how attached a company commander could become to his men, and vice versa. In the previous episode when Nixon looks at the photo of the Wehrmacht oberst (colonel) in the woman's house, the frame had a black band on it which most likely indicated that the officer was deceased.
And there were a pair of Japanese ex-soldiers in their old age found still living In Indonesia in the 80s, but they technically deserted after the end of WWII by joining up with the local resistance against the Dutch colonists during the war of Indonesian independence before settling down in peace.
Out of all the horror and emotional wrenching events we've seen in the show, this episode hits me the most personally. My grandfather served in the Army Air Corp in Europe as an aircraft mechanic. After the war ended, he was helping fly wounded back to England and the plane went down into trees shortly after takeoff. He was burned terribly and died three days later. Seeing the soldiers in this episode dying after it's over is just another level of tragedy in the Hell of war. I always think of the lost opportunity for me to know him, and for my dad to grow up with a father. This show's quality is so present in the many ways they conveyed the weight of the original events. It's a masterful job.
Didn't expect Calvin high as a kite in this series, but it's appreciated as always! Just puts everything 10 notches up. It brings up a whole new game of what is he thinking in all this what they are thinking. Thanks, keep up the good work
Private John Janovec wasn't the only victim of a car accident after the war was over. Lieutenant Henry Jones, played by Colin Hanks in Episode 8 was also killed in one.
Truly a masterpiece of storytelling..it beautifully honors the heroes of this story.This was my first time watching this show, and I will definitely watch it again.
1) The camp liberation and associated scenes shown in episode 9 are fictional. The camp depicted in Band of Brothers is Kaufering IV which was actually liberated by the 12th Armored Division on April 27, 1945, with some units of the 101st Airborne Division arriving on April 28 and Easy Company arriving on April 29 (with the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion and 36th Infantry Division arriving on April 30). And there were only about 7 prisoners found alive along with about 500 bodies. 2) Easy Company did not liberate Berchtesgaden nor were they the first to reach the Eagle's Nest as shown in episode 10. The 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division is credited with the liberation of Berchtesgaden on May 4, 1945, and members of the French 2nd Armored Division are credited with being the first to reach the Eagle's Nest in the early morning of May 5. Easy Company arrived a few hours later. 3) Also, in episode 10 members of Easy Company did not kill an unnamed commandant of an unnamed concentration camp. This is based on the shooting of Franz Ziereis who had been commandant of Mauthausen. He had tried to hide out at his mountain hunting cabin but was spotted and reported. On May 23, 1945, U.S. Army soldiers attempted to arrest him, and he was shot three times trying to escape. He died the next day in a U.S. Army hospital. No members of Easy Company were involved.
I'm also glad that Ted Lasso won the poll; as great as Band of Brothers is, it's obviously *very* heavy content. Lasso will make a nice palate cleanser for you guys. Deals with some serious issues but overall, it's absurdly feel-good and lighthearted.
It's been over 20 years since I first watched Band of Brothers, and it's still one of the best shows ever. The scenes with them playing baseball, the narration, and the reflections of the real men of Easy Company are the perfect ending. I'm so glad you guys finally got to experience it.
In the whole series, the most savage and visceral moment to me was when Spiers pistol whips the soldier and says "When you speak to an officer, you say Sir!"
I cried a through each of the 10 episodes; probably will sob the hardest watching the documentary next week. I never did get to watch this when it first aired, not having HBO, but always wanted to. Glad this show won a poll and that I finally had the opportunity to watch it (with you @blindwave). This will stay with me. And, I will need some time after watching this series, but I do hope at some point to watch The Pacific. I think it will hit me extra hard, having a grandfather that served during WWII in the Pacific.
There is a German show called Generation War. Original German title is Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter. It shows the German perspective on the eastern front. People often call it the German Band of Brothers. And also a Russian movie called "Come and see" which shows the Soviet perspective. Both are great.
The German officer in the photo of the house that Nixon barged into looking for whiskey in episode nine had already died in the war - the photograph had a black mourning band across the corner which signified he was dead. That's why the woman was so obviously offended when she came into the room to find that Nixon had smashed it - giving him that glare of quiet fury. He clearly felt embarrassed by his action in that moment which is why the scene later on where he encounters her in the camp is so powerful.
@@iammanofnature235 Just read the original users comment the actor in the photo is dead in the episode, so how can it be the same guy, just check the credits if you want to fine out.
Rather tragic sidenotes on Bull and Luz. They both died rather tragic deaths. Luz worked as a handyman into old age. When he was 68 he was working on an industrial dryer that slipped it supports and fell on him. He was killed instantly. Bull was in an Arkansas nursing home when he contracted a treatable MRSA infection through a surgical graft he had. But it appeared he was in one of "those" nursing homes where the supposed caregivers really couldn't care less, as the infection went untreated and he died of sepsis. For these men to have been through what they had been through, and to die such preventable deaths, is extremely upsetting.
The Pacific is basically: take band of brothers, take out all the happy moments, add more horror and suffering. I watched it once, I thought it was fantastic and well made but I don't think I can ever watch it again, same applies to Schindler's List, I've only watched it once and doubt I will ever watch it again but would put it near the top of my best films ever made list
The Quality of "The Pacific" ist not only on the Level of BoB, its even a bit above! But more gnarly, thanks to the Japanese Fanatism. So Buckle up Boys!
The Pacific is equally as good as Band of Brothers, also based on books. Brutal, but necessary to watch and remember and learn from history. The cast in The Pacific is amazing, so is the cinematography and music. You should definitely watch and I cannot wait to watch your reaction and review.
This is probably my most favorite series/mini series I’ve ever watched. Try to find time to watch it at least once a year. Such great acting and cinematography that really holds up years later.
Dick winters 1918-2011 Carwood Lipton 1920-2001 Donald Malarkey 1921-2017 Bill Guarnere 1923-2014 Babe Heffron 1923-2013 Shifty Powers 1923-2009 John Martin 1922-2005 🌹Rest in Peace🌹
*From the National WW2 Museum:* The 7th Infantry Regiment of the US 3rd Infantry Division got there first at about 1600 on the afternoon of May 4. They took Berchtesgaden without firing a shot. While the 7th Regiment fanned out through town, a platoon advanced up the mountain to Obersalzberg. When they arrived at the Berghof, Hitler’s home, they discovered the entire area was heavily damaged by a bombing raid conducted by the RAF on April 25. ... The French 2nd Armored Division arrived a little later that afternoon. Early the next morning, the French made the trek all the way up to the Eagle’s Nest, which was untouched by Allied bombing, and made the most fantastic discovery of all: a wine cellar that contained an estimated half million bottles of the finest wine, champagne, and cognac imaginable. Amongst the cache were thousands of bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, one of the most expensive wines in the world. In 2020, buying a bottle of late vintage Chateau Lafite Rothschild would set you back about $1000. ... Last to arrive to the party was the 101st Airborne; they arrived in Berchtesgaden on the morning of May 5. They may have been last, but they were there to stay the longest. The 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR was the lead element of the 101st to arrive, and the officers and men began by securing the finest billets in town. Col. Sink, commander of the 506th, met with the commanding officer of the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd ID, and informed him that the 101st was relieving them. SHAEF ordered the 3rd ID men in Berchtesgaden back to their area of operations in Salzburg, Austria.
In the series its rumored that Spiers shot the German POW's on D-day but in the church with Lipton , Spiers hints it's a rumor he used to his advantage. When Stephen Ambrose was writing the book he heard the stories about Spiers and was reluctant putting it in the book for fear he would be sued for libel. Ambrose called Winters up and asked him about it. Winters called Spiers and told him about what Ambrose felt. Spiers said why would he sue someone over something that was true. Spiers actually did shoot the POWs that day and he personally confirmed it to Winters.
All shot on the same set. They rotated it throughout the production. Bastogne was filmed indoors. There is a good behind the scenes thing filmed by nix. The actors bootcamp
30:40 I am not certain, but I thought I saw a black ribbon (denoting his passing) on the photo of the German officer in the house Nixon happened upon that *Aaron* mentions here.
BoB is fantastic and you absolutely need to watch the Pacific. Different vibe but really shows how the two theatres of war were totally different experiences. Actual hell on earth materiel.
The Pacific miniseries is rightfully very brutal. Personally, I think Band of Brothers being based on one book about one company tells a bit more of a cohesive story. I think because people had kind of hard time keeping track of everyone in this show, they tried to focus on 3 individuals instead, but because they also focused on 3 guys whose service spanned the entire Pacific campaign from different units, we don't get to stick with any one particular person or company as much as I would have liked. It did introduce me to one of my favorite books, Eugene Sledge's memoir, With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa. Apple TV is releasing the next follow-up in the Spielberg and Hanks produced WW2 miniseries about the 8th Air Force in Europe called, Masters of the Air, assuming the stick with the book title which is also very good. They finished filming and its in post-production. Its supposedly coming out late this year, but they have yet to release a trailer. There were some clips in an Apple sizzle reel a few months back though.
The last line for Winters alwyas breaks me. Regarding the P.O.S Private Floyd W. Craver the guy who shot Grant - He was not suffering from anything he was drunk and high on substance, he shot and killed 2 Germans as well as a British major and sergeant before he shot Grant and was alledgedly caught whilst trying to rape an Austrain gril, the scum never paid for his crimes as he was sentenced to life in prison but for some reason was released shortly after and no one knows why.
30:05 The Japanese soldier Calvin is referencing was likely Shoichi Yokoi, one of the last 3 Japanese holdouts to be found after the war had ended in 1945; he was found in the jungle of Guam in Jan 1972. He had known the war was over since the early 1950s, but stayed in hiding because he was afraid of being captured and the resulting disgrace. The other 2 holdouts who lasted longer were Hiroo Onoda, an intelligence officer in the Japanese Imperial Army who continued fighting a guerilla war on Lubang Island in the Philippines until March 1974, and Teruo Nakamura, a soldier who hid out on his own (mostly; there were other holdouts, but he went his own way in the 50s) on Morotai Island in the Dutch East Indies until Dec 1974. Onoda was originally sent to Lubang Island to do anything possible to hamper enemy activity on the island, and to not surrender under any circumstance. The unit he was attached to basically got wiped out in early 1945 (Feb I believe), Onoda and 3 others survived and took to the hills, where they spent the next 25 years conducting guerilla actions like burning crops and attacking police units. One of the other 3 (Yuichi Akatsu) surrendered in 1949, while the other 2 (Shoichi Shimada and Kinshichi Kozuka) were killed in shootouts with local police and search parties that were looking for them in 1954 (Shimada) and 1972 (Kozuka). In Mar 1974, after his location was found and verified with photos, the Japanese govt tracked down his former commanding officer and sent him there to formally relieve Onoda of his duties so he could return home. When he surrendered, he still had his functioning Arisaka Type 99 rifle, a decent supply of ammo, several grenades, his sword, and a dagger. He wrote an autobiography (No Surrender: My 30-Year War) that's pretty decent, though he leaves out some pretty key things (like the fact that he killed several civilians on Lubang Island during his guerilla campaign).
Since we were waiting due to the SAG Strike I decided to FINALLY watch The Pacific since I have a a badass box set of BoB/The Pacific. I’m really interested in seeing your reaction to that show’s cast, because I had only ever gotten to Episode 2 and by then I was already surprised, but after completely watching it I was like: 😱. The production seemed just as great, so I would definitely recommend it. Plus, it would be a perfect watch before/after a reaction or review of Oppenheimer!
Blithe, the guy with the stress blindness, went to Korea also. He did not die when the show said. He actually died in 1967. Great reaction / review. As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.
Guys Next is the documentary, "We Stand Alone" in which this mini-series is based.... Year later during 2002's Emmy Awards, Band of Brothers won Best Miniseries. Both Hanks and Spielberg had Richard "Dick" Winters do the acceptance speech as his men, surviving members of Easy Company, 506th, 101st Airborne sitting at nearby hotel simulcasted. Everyone, celebs, directors, and producers gave them a major standing ovation winning Best for saving the world from a madman. By the way, Winters lived a long life. He lived to be 92 until 2011.
The officer from the previous episode was dead. There's a black ribbon on his picture. It really serves to underscore Nix's state of mind: His wife is divorcing him, taking everything including the dog. Nazi officer's wife is loyal and grieving.
There is a 10-part series by Tom Hanks and Spielberg called "The Pacific" It is based on the war in the Pacific and is just as moving with both happy and sad parts. After you do the documentary, you guys should dive into the Pacific
My father was a career soldier, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation for Japan, he served two tours of duty in Korea (he was one of the Chosen Frozen, the Chosen Reservoir campaign) and in Vietnam. He was an M.P..I remember when we kids got our Halloween candy, we were not allowed to eat our Tootsie Rolls around dad, it would trigger his PTSD.😢 I served in the 101st back in the 70's, the 501st was the only unit on Ft. Campbell that was still on jump status... They had a campus close to Divarty, by the airfield with the Air Cav. troopers and the Pathfinder school. We called it the Geronimo Hilton...I remember asking around and found out that Jimi Hendrix was in the unit...there were still a few old hands there that remembered hanging out with Jimi.😊
Captain Sobel had a rough life after the military, he had a failed marriage then attempted suicide in 1970 but survived and was blinded by his attempt, he ended up dying alone in a VA assisted living home in the 80s which back then were not much better than a jail cell.
Now do reaction of the Pacific (2010, i think). It is way waaaaaaaay better than band of brothers. I don't have against BoB, i liked it, but the Pacific was something else.
Yes, the Pacific is based on a couple of different books written by Marines that were there. I won't tell you who wrote them, because that would be a spoiler.
Best mini series ever made. The silence at the end by you all is deafening… and how everyone reacts; it’s when it all becomes so real hearing from those portrayed
The last Japanese soldier surrendered on some remote island in 1976. Pacific is based on three books. Two of them I read: Helmet for my pillow by Leckie and With the old breed by Sledge. Dunkirk is a typical Nolan film. Meaning it plays with time. The soldier story plays out over a week, the boat owner story plays out over a day and the fighter pilot story is an hour. And they all come together at one point.
Generation War is an excellent view of WW2 from the german side if you guys want to watch some of that. It's relatively unknown but deserves so much more! It made me cry like BoB did 💔
You talk about Schindler's List, but in my opinion you should watch The Pianist, which is even better, especially in terms of accuracy, if of course you haven't watched it yet.
There was a BoB symposium earlier this year with many of the cast and crew telling their stories. Well worth watching but I don't know if it's reaction material
As ALL THE people involved in all These old Stories described on THIS excelent série, I cherish your reactions to It. As a fellow human, when WE Share Feelings and understandings, Most of Out Fights and disagreements disappears. We are seeing more and more wars sprouting All over the world now. All men must came to peace with each another and Share THE riches and plenty God Provider in THIS world. THIS all May Sound Like clichês and vain Hippie conversation But hey, clichê are clichê for a reason. A Man Well Fed, living in Peace and with a Family He loves do Not chooses war ans conflict. Great content, GOD Bless U' four and your Familie/beloved ones. 🙏🏻🇧🇷✌🏻🥰
Watch our Reactioon to the Band of Brothers Documentary "We Stand Alone Together: The Men of Easy Company" a week early at www.patreon.com/blindwave
Raw Rider Patrons can watch the Full Length Reaction HERE: blindwavellc.com/band-of-brothers-1x06-full/
This video were published during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the episode being covered here wouldn't exist. #SAGAFTRAstrike #SAGAFTRAstrong
Support the Entertainment Community Fund for struggling strikers HERE: entertainmentcommunity.org/
“No. But I served in a company of heroes.”
It gets me every. Single. Time.
Nearly brings me to tears. Every. single. time
It's hard to call yourself a hero when so many guys you knew and served with were KIA. Survivor's guilt is a real thing.
Yep,every damn time, powerful.
Same
Same here. Michael Kamen’s music also helps the tears fall.
Two lines make me cry every time I watch this episode.
“My friend, Lew, died in 1995.”
And
“But I served in the company of heroes.”
So glad y’all watched this and loved it!
I watch Band of Brothers a couple of times every year. It's a great reminder of the sacrifices made and the toll of war. The crew and cast sought out to make living, breathing documents, and they succeeded. I'm so glad y'all reacted to this. I hope The Pacific is soon to follow.
Band of Brothers is filled with embellishments, omissions, fictional elements, and factual inaccuracies.
Hater much?
You’re right… it probably didn’t capture how horrible the war actually was at all. I’m sure it was so much worse than anyone could write in fiction.
@@samuelshireling9245 don't listen to that Moron mate there's always one idiot that tries to ruin everything
@@iammanofnature235 that's how depictions, made by people who weren't there, usually go. It's not a documentary. Welcome to film and television.
P.S. it's told from the POV of specific men. No one ever has 100% of the story in situations as dire and chaotic as these.
There's a photo of Lewis Nixon waking up the morning after celebrating with Hermann Goering's champagne - you should definitely look it up. Not only does he look stunningly hungover, he also is the spitting image of Ron Livingston.
I had never looked up pictures of the real Nix before but holy shit, you're right, Livingston looks so much like him.
@@JeffKelly03 Yeah casting did a wonderful job. Most of the actors bear resemblances to the real life vets. In one of the episodes of the Band of Brothers podcast Frank John Hughes (who plays Guarnere) talks a bit about meeting the veterans and how the actors realized they were "ghosts", and how the vets were walking around amongst ghosts of their younger selves.
Thank you for that information. That photo is really hilarious and it makes me wonder how much alcohol he brought back with him. It looks like he took a big chunk of what was in the Eagles Nest 🤣
Check out a picture of Joe Liebgott and Ross McCall.
@@doriandery Yep. Casting purposely tried to find people who looked similar to their real life counterparts. I remember the story of the real life Winters poking his head into a truck, then having to retreat because he saw a truck full of ghosts from the past.
The Pacific is very different from Band of Brothers but (I think) equally as good. The challenge is there isn't a single company that fought in all the major campaigns of the Pacific Theatre unlike Easy in the ETO, so you can't really follow a single group through the war as we could in BoB. The Pacific instead focuses on the perspectives of three individual Marines from separate companies and their experiences (and yes it's based on a couple of books). It's also much more brutal... Band of Brothers really focuses on the brotherhood and bonds that form between men who fight together. The Pacific is about the brutality of war and how it can completely strip men of their humanity and sanity. Very, very different, but very, very good. I really, really hope you guys get around to it at some point!
Very true. Hopefully after Apple does Mastera of Air they do a Navy perspective and the could follow the Big E (Enterprise) since it made it through the entire war from beginning to the end
I hope they do a job on masters of the air if it's near as good as BOB then it will be great. I didn't enjoy the Pacific as much character development wasn't as good for me.
It's good, but it's extremely dark. I can't rewatch it like I do with Band of Brothers.
@@BOO66IOUthat’s because it’s not about character development, it comes from combat memoirs written by the veterans themselves rather than someone gathering these stories and creating a narrative out of it like Band of Brothers.
The Pacific May be my favorite tbh
I don't think anyone needed affirmation that that was Bill Guarnere.
That's why they never showed him before the other episodes. That accent could only be one guy lol.
@@ryanhampson673 He gets interviewed in episode 2, saying how he thought he'd never make it past D-Day.
@@Ausl0vich oh duuuurrr...Must have missed that part lol
@@ryanhampson673 It was really quick to be fair, I didn't make the connection until the ending either lol
That’s a testament to the actor’s work, too.
Sgt Grant survived his head wound, made it back to the states, where he eventually opened a tobacco shop in San Francisco. He lived til 1984.
One person that never gets mentioned is Sobel. He retired a Lt Colonel, but tried to commit suicide with a handgun in 1970. He blinded himself completely, went into VA assisted living and died of malnutrition in 87. There were no memorials held for him.
damn
That's sad. As much as he was a dick and not suited to field command it was his intense training regimen that made them as tough as they were.
One thing I always think about is how many guys went straight from civilian life, put into leadership positions, and had to learn on the job. Winters was clearly a better leader but also had the advantage of having responsibility slowly added to him. He also had the opportunity to learn from Sobel what not to do. Sobel's insecurities were evident from the first episode but what if he started out as a first lieutenant and gradually promoted to give him confidence? That's how it normally works in an army but you can't do that in a mass mobilization. The responsibility brought out the worst in him and the men of Easy Company never forgave him.
Herbert Sobel was the VA Veteran of the Day on May 23, 2023.
Is it possible this episode is inspiration for the movie “scent of a woman”?
You’re one of the only channels I’ve seen who didn’t cut the ending into a million pieces. It’s one of the most moving pieces of film and I appreciate the way you guys edited and let the end roll.
Yeah, the rest of it they cut to hell and gone but yes, the ending they kept very much in tact, which I'm grateful for.
Ron Livingston (Captain Nixon) posted a series of videos from their "boot camp". And the cast still gets together in reunions just like Easy Company did.
@pluto6347 I saw it on TH-cam several years ago, and they have talked about the reunions on making of band of brothers discussion panels
In my opinion, Band of Brothers remains the absolute best miniseries ever made.
Chernobyl is pretty close there too. But I agree with you. Band of Brothers along with The Sopranos paved the way to the world of streaming services we have now. They realized there was a niche not being exploited there.
Had the pleasure of talking with Wild Bill a bunch - my boss grew up on the same block as him. Funny as hell, and never let the missing leg slow him down one damn bit.
I may misremember some of the specifics, but one story he told was in the 50s or 60s in the summer time. No AC in South Philly then, so he had his front door open with just the screen door closed. Some guy was drunk or high and barged in yelling or something. Wild Bill got up out of his chair, no crutch, hopped over and grabbed his rifle off the mantle and the guy turned and ran. Cops caught him like a block away trying to get in someone else's house.
The beginning of them playing baseball all the way to the end never fails to make me cry.
One of the lines that struck me was when the general is interviewing Winters and it came to when Winters became the battalion XO and the general says, "The bastards took your company away." That general had once been a company commander in his younger days so he knew how attached a company commander could become to his men, and vice versa.
In the previous episode when Nixon looks at the photo of the Wehrmacht oberst (colonel) in the woman's house, the frame had a black band on it which most likely indicated that the officer was deceased.
There were Japanese holdouts that refused to surrender for DECADES after the war. One of them didn't come back until 1974.
And there were a pair of Japanese ex-soldiers in their old age found still living In Indonesia in the 80s, but they technically deserted after the end of WWII by joining up with the local resistance against the Dutch colonists during the war of Indonesian independence before settling down in peace.
Out of all the horror and emotional wrenching events we've seen in the show, this episode hits me the most personally.
My grandfather served in the Army Air Corp in Europe as an aircraft mechanic. After the war ended, he was helping fly wounded back to England and the plane went down into trees shortly after takeoff. He was burned terribly and died three days later.
Seeing the soldiers in this episode dying after it's over is just another level of tragedy in the Hell of war. I always think of the lost opportunity for me to know him, and for my dad to grow up with a father.
This show's quality is so present in the many ways they conveyed the weight of the original events. It's a masterful job.
Man the last set of interviews at the end is so amazing. This series has such a special place in my heart
Didn't expect Calvin high as a kite in this series, but it's appreciated as always! Just puts everything 10 notches up. It brings up a whole new game of what is he thinking in all this what they are thinking. Thanks, keep up the good work
Private John Janovec wasn't the only victim of a car accident after the war was over. Lieutenant Henry Jones, played by Colin Hanks in Episode 8 was also killed in one.
Damn that's sad I didn't know that
And, not in the series at all other than a couple of mentions.... Gen. Patton.
Truly a masterpiece of storytelling..it beautifully honors the heroes of this story.This was my first time watching this show, and I will definitely watch it again.
1) The camp liberation and associated scenes shown in episode 9 are fictional. The camp depicted in Band of Brothers is Kaufering IV which was actually liberated by the 12th Armored Division on April 27, 1945, with some units of the 101st Airborne Division arriving on April 28 and Easy Company arriving on April 29 (with the 522nd Field Artillery Battalion and 36th Infantry Division arriving on April 30). And there were only about 7 prisoners found alive along with about 500 bodies.
2) Easy Company did not liberate Berchtesgaden nor were they the first to reach the Eagle's Nest as shown in episode 10. The 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division is credited with the liberation of Berchtesgaden on May 4, 1945, and members of the French 2nd Armored Division are credited with being the first to reach the Eagle's Nest in the early morning of May 5. Easy Company arrived a few hours later.
3) Also, in episode 10 members of Easy Company did not kill an unnamed commandant of an unnamed concentration camp. This is based on the shooting of Franz Ziereis who had been commandant of Mauthausen. He had tried to hide out at his mountain hunting cabin but was spotted and reported. On May 23, 1945, U.S. Army soldiers attempted to arrest him, and he was shot three times trying to escape. He died the next day in a U.S. Army hospital. No members of Easy Company were involved.
I'm also glad that Ted Lasso won the poll; as great as Band of Brothers is, it's obviously *very* heavy content. Lasso will make a nice palate cleanser for you guys. Deals with some serious issues but overall, it's absurdly feel-good and lighthearted.
It's been over 20 years since I first watched Band of Brothers, and it's still one of the best shows ever. The scenes with them playing baseball, the narration, and the reflections of the real men of Easy Company are the perfect ending. I'm so glad you guys finally got to experience it.
Sobel's life after the war is the darkest by far. I don't recommend looking it up. You don't wish that kind of fate for anyone.
This show is so good. I'm glad you guys watched it.
In the whole series, the most savage and visceral moment to me was when Spiers pistol whips the soldier and says "When you speak to an officer, you say Sir!"
Am I the only one that thinks sobel being forced to salute winters is one of the most satisfying things ever done on a tv show?
I cried a through each of the 10 episodes; probably will sob the hardest watching the documentary next week. I never did get to watch this when it first aired, not having HBO, but always wanted to. Glad this show won a poll and that I finally had the opportunity to watch it (with you @blindwave). This will stay with me. And, I will need some time after watching this series, but I do hope at some point to watch The Pacific. I think it will hit me extra hard, having a grandfather that served during WWII in the Pacific.
There is a German show called Generation War. Original German title is Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter. It shows the German perspective on the eastern front. People often call it the German Band of Brothers. And also a Russian movie called "Come and see" which shows the Soviet perspective. Both are great.
I've seen both. Come and see.. Goddamn, that's a hard movie to watch, fuck. Getting goosebumps just thinking about that movie.
Yeah. There is no glory in that movie, only the absolute horror of war. @@Mr--H
The German officer in the photo of the house that Nixon barged into looking for whiskey in episode nine had already died in the war - the photograph had a black mourning band across the corner which signified he was dead. That's why the woman was so obviously offended when she came into the room to find that Nixon had smashed it - giving him that glare of quiet fury. He clearly felt embarrassed by his action in that moment which is why the scene later on where he encounters her in the camp is so powerful.
The photo is of German actor Wolf Kahler who is seen in episode 10 giving a speech to his men.
@@iammanofnature235 Not wasn't the guy in the photo.
@@ChrisCrossClash
How do you know?
@@iammanofnature235 Just read the original users comment the actor in the photo is dead in the episode, so how can it be the same guy, just check the credits if you want to fine out.
@@ChrisCrossClash
Are you serious? It's completely fictional. And it's not going to be in the credits...it's just a photograph.
Looking at Calvin I can really see why the Dark stream was delayed. Get well soon!
Rather tragic sidenotes on Bull and Luz. They both died rather tragic deaths. Luz worked as a handyman into old age. When he was 68 he was working on an industrial dryer that slipped it supports and fell on him. He was killed instantly. Bull was in an Arkansas nursing home when he contracted a treatable MRSA infection through a surgical graft he had. But it appeared he was in one of "those" nursing homes where the supposed caregivers really couldn't care less, as the infection went untreated and he died of sepsis. For these men to have been through what they had been through, and to die such preventable deaths, is extremely upsetting.
Pacific..... much, Much more savage, remember the germans would surrender, the japanese would not. but its something everyone should watch.
changed the soldiers much more drastically than in the european theatre and understandably so.
Yeah Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks should make a show about The Pacific(2008) depicting that side of the war.
that german speech just gives me chills everytime
This is where men cry. Not romantic stuff no no. Brotherhood and sacrifice. That's what gets us. What an amazing series.
The Pacific is basically: take band of brothers, take out all the happy moments, add more horror and suffering. I watched it once, I thought it was fantastic and well made but I don't think I can ever watch it again, same applies to Schindler's List, I've only watched it once and doubt I will ever watch it again but would put it near the top of my best films ever made list
I compare TP to watching episodes 7 and 9 of BOB over and over.
The Quality of "The Pacific" ist not only on the Level of BoB, its even a bit above! But more gnarly, thanks to the Japanese Fanatism. So Buckle up Boys!
Would've probably not watched this if not for Blindwave, amazing show & soldiers 😭🫡
The Pacific is equally as good as Band of Brothers, also based on books. Brutal, but necessary to watch and remember and learn from history. The cast in The Pacific is amazing, so is the cinematography and music. You should definitely watch and I cannot wait to watch your reaction and review.
This is probably my most favorite series/mini series I’ve ever watched. Try to find time to watch it at least once a year. Such great acting and cinematography that really holds up years later.
Dick winters 1918-2011
Carwood Lipton 1920-2001
Donald Malarkey 1921-2017
Bill Guarnere 1923-2014
Babe Heffron 1923-2013
Shifty Powers 1923-2009
John Martin 1922-2005
🌹Rest in Peace🌹
*From the National WW2 Museum:*
The 7th Infantry Regiment of the US 3rd Infantry Division got there first at about 1600 on the afternoon of May 4. They took Berchtesgaden without firing a shot. While the 7th Regiment fanned out through town, a platoon advanced up the mountain to Obersalzberg. When they arrived at the Berghof, Hitler’s home, they discovered the entire area was heavily damaged by a bombing raid conducted by the RAF on April 25.
...
The French 2nd Armored Division arrived a little later that afternoon. Early the next morning, the French made the trek all the way up to the Eagle’s Nest, which was untouched by Allied bombing, and made the most fantastic discovery of all: a wine cellar that contained an estimated half million bottles of the finest wine, champagne, and cognac imaginable. Amongst the cache were thousands of bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, one of the most expensive wines in the world. In 2020, buying a bottle of late vintage Chateau Lafite Rothschild would set you back about $1000.
...
Last to arrive to the party was the 101st Airborne; they arrived in Berchtesgaden on the morning of May 5. They may have been last, but they were there to stay the longest. The 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR was the lead element of the 101st to arrive, and the officers and men began by securing the finest billets in town. Col. Sink, commander of the 506th, met with the commanding officer of the 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd ID, and informed him that the 101st was relieving them. SHAEF ordered the 3rd ID men in Berchtesgaden back to their area of operations in Salzburg, Austria.
In the series its rumored that Spiers shot the German POW's on D-day but in the church with Lipton , Spiers hints it's a rumor he used to his advantage. When Stephen Ambrose was writing the book he heard the stories about Spiers and was reluctant putting it in the book for fear he would be sued for libel. Ambrose called Winters up and asked him about it. Winters called Spiers and told him about what Ambrose felt. Spiers said why would he sue someone over something that was true. Spiers actually did shoot the POWs that day and he personally confirmed it to Winters.
I've watched this series at least 20 times and the ending still makes me tear up.
A bridge to Far is well worth watching as it covers the whole Arnhem campaign which this shows only shows easy companies part of the battle
Fum fact if it hasn't been brought up yet, the German general is the same actor in raiders of the lost ark.
tom hanks produced another great history mini series based on the Apollo program From the Earth to the Moon
All shot on the same set. They rotated it throughout the production. Bastogne was filmed indoors. There is a good behind the scenes thing filmed by nix. The actors bootcamp
The Nazi General we saw a picture from in Episode 9 had died before Nixon saw the picture. There was black ribbon on the frame.
Guys
Hitler's private retreat, Eagle's Nest is now museum/restaurant today. It is open for the public. It has summer's hours. It has a website.
Guys after this please take a look at documentaries "the victoria cross" and "The greatest raid of all" by Jeremy Clarkson, you'll love it
The Pacific next then hopefully. Mainly based on two memoirs written by two marines. And soon will be the third one. Masters of the air on apple tv
there is a great German TV series on a par with B.o.B Das Boot it follows the crew of a U-boat in WW2
30:40 I am not certain, but I thought I saw a black ribbon (denoting his passing) on the photo of the German officer in the house Nixon happened upon that *Aaron* mentions here.
BoB is fantastic and you absolutely need to watch the Pacific. Different vibe but really shows how the two theatres of war were totally different experiences. Actual hell on earth materiel.
The Pacific miniseries is rightfully very brutal. Personally, I think Band of Brothers being based on one book about one company tells a bit more of a cohesive story.
I think because people had kind of hard time keeping track of everyone in this show, they tried to focus on 3 individuals instead, but because they also focused on 3 guys whose service spanned the entire Pacific campaign from different units, we don't get to stick with any one particular person or company as much as I would have liked.
It did introduce me to one of my favorite books, Eugene Sledge's memoir, With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa. Apple TV is releasing the next follow-up in the Spielberg and Hanks produced WW2 miniseries about the 8th Air Force in Europe called, Masters of the Air, assuming the stick with the book title which is also very good.
They finished filming and its in post-production. Its supposedly coming out late this year, but they have yet to release a trailer. There were some clips in an Apple sizzle reel a few months back though.
See what that generation did.. and see what is doing this generation... buying toys and reacting to movies of super heroes.
PACIFIC. It’s brutal and psychologically harsher. But equally rewarding in the end.
The german officer in the photo on the last episode was already dead, thats what the black ribbon on the photo frame meant.
The last line for Winters alwyas breaks me.
Regarding the P.O.S Private Floyd W. Craver the guy who shot Grant - He was not suffering from anything he was drunk and high on substance, he shot and killed 2 Germans as well as a British major and sergeant before he shot Grant and was alledgedly caught whilst trying to rape an Austrain gril, the scum never paid for his crimes as he was sentenced to life in prison but for some reason was released shortly after and no one knows why.
The portrait of the German officer in that lady's house had a black band on it... that means he was already dead.
30:05 The Japanese soldier Calvin is referencing was likely Shoichi Yokoi, one of the last 3 Japanese holdouts to be found after the war had ended in 1945; he was found in the jungle of Guam in Jan 1972. He had known the war was over since the early 1950s, but stayed in hiding because he was afraid of being captured and the resulting disgrace. The other 2 holdouts who lasted longer were Hiroo Onoda, an intelligence officer in the Japanese Imperial Army who continued fighting a guerilla war on Lubang Island in the Philippines until March 1974, and Teruo Nakamura, a soldier who hid out on his own (mostly; there were other holdouts, but he went his own way in the 50s) on Morotai Island in the Dutch East Indies until Dec 1974.
Onoda was originally sent to Lubang Island to do anything possible to hamper enemy activity on the island, and to not surrender under any circumstance. The unit he was attached to basically got wiped out in early 1945 (Feb I believe), Onoda and 3 others survived and took to the hills, where they spent the next 25 years conducting guerilla actions like burning crops and attacking police units. One of the other 3 (Yuichi Akatsu) surrendered in 1949, while the other 2 (Shoichi Shimada and Kinshichi Kozuka) were killed in shootouts with local police and search parties that were looking for them in 1954 (Shimada) and 1972 (Kozuka). In Mar 1974, after his location was found and verified with photos, the Japanese govt tracked down his former commanding officer and sent him there to formally relieve Onoda of his duties so he could return home. When he surrendered, he still had his functioning Arisaka Type 99 rifle, a decent supply of ammo, several grenades, his sword, and a dagger. He wrote an autobiography (No Surrender: My 30-Year War) that's pretty decent, though he leaves out some pretty key things (like the fact that he killed several civilians on Lubang Island during his guerilla campaign).
30:30 there's been a couple of instances where Japanese soldiers took decades to surrender.
Since we were waiting due to the SAG Strike I decided to FINALLY watch The Pacific since I have a a badass box set of BoB/The Pacific. I’m really interested in seeing your reaction to that show’s cast, because I had only ever gotten to Episode 2 and by then I was already surprised, but after completely watching it I was like: 😱. The production seemed just as great, so I would definitely recommend it. Plus, it would be a perfect watch before/after a reaction or review of Oppenheimer!
Blithe, the guy with the stress blindness, went to Korea also. He did not die when the show said. He actually died in 1967.
Great reaction / review.
As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.
In a separate interview, Winters confirms via letter from Sparky Speirs that he did, in fact, shoot those prisoners.
The guy who killed those people over gas was a replacement. He never saw any war.
Truly an achievement by HBO. Thanks so much for reacting to this Wave Crew!
THE PACIFIC, PLEASSSSSSSSSSSE
Guys
Next is the documentary, "We Stand Alone" in which this mini-series is based.... Year later during 2002's Emmy Awards, Band of Brothers won Best Miniseries. Both Hanks and Spielberg had Richard "Dick" Winters do the acceptance speech as his men, surviving members of Easy Company, 506th, 101st Airborne sitting at nearby hotel simulcasted. Everyone, celebs, directors, and producers gave them a major standing ovation winning Best for saving the world from a madman.
By the way, Winters lived a long life. He lived to be 92 until 2011.
War takes a toll even on the purest and bravest hearts. I salute these men and every past present and future men and women veterans.
I've heard jokes that a Purple Heart is an enemy marksmanship badge.
Incredible show. Brings me to tears every time I rewatch it. The ending of the final episode feels like you're watching family members life stories.
The officer from the previous episode was dead. There's a black ribbon on his picture. It really serves to underscore Nix's state of mind: His wife is divorcing him, taking everything including the dog. Nazi officer's wife is loyal and grieving.
Is Calvin in a Pestily hoodie? If so as just a one time thing seeing you all die in Escape From Tarkov would be fun to see lol
It absolutely gives me life knowing Winters had a long and peaceful life. He asked and God had delivered. I love it.
There is a 10-part series by Tom Hanks and Spielberg called "The Pacific" It is based on the war in the Pacific and is just as moving with both happy and sad parts. After you do the documentary, you guys should dive into the Pacific
When are y’all going to watch the Pacific?
The picture of the German officer that Nix dropped had a black band on the corner, signifying that he was deceased.
There was a Japanese soldier who I believe fought into the seventies, they had to fly out his commander to tell him to surrender
My father was a career soldier, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation for Japan, he served two tours of duty in Korea (he was one of the Chosen Frozen, the Chosen Reservoir campaign) and in Vietnam. He was an M.P..I remember when we kids got our Halloween candy, we were not allowed to eat our Tootsie Rolls around dad, it would trigger his PTSD.😢
I served in the 101st back in the 70's, the 501st was the only unit on Ft. Campbell that was still on jump status... They had a campus close to Divarty, by the airfield with the Air Cav. troopers and the Pathfinder school. We called it the Geronimo Hilton...I remember asking around and found out that Jimi Hendrix was in the unit...there were still a few old hands there that remembered hanging out with Jimi.😊
FYI, the German officer who surrendered to Lipton in this episode is also Dietrich from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Captain Sobel had a rough life after the military, he had a failed marriage then attempted suicide in 1970 but survived and was blinded by his attempt, he ended up dying alone in a VA assisted living home in the 80s which back then were not much better than a jail cell.
Now do reaction of the Pacific (2010, i think). It is way waaaaaaaay better than band of brothers. I don't have against BoB, i liked it, but the Pacific was something else.
The Pacific is based off the book with the old breed by Eugune Sledge
Yes, the Pacific is based on a couple of different books written by Marines that were there. I won't tell you who wrote them, because that would be a spoiler.
The Pacific it's about the cruelty of war, and how men's transform in a different person I like so much I own the bluray with the two series
Next up..... The Pacific
Maybe in the future. It has to win the poll
Best mini series ever made. The silence at the end by you all is deafening… and how everyone reacts; it’s when it all becomes so real hearing from those portrayed
would be good to watch the movie all quite on the western front after this, to see from the german POV
That’s World War I
The last Japanese soldier surrendered on some remote island in 1976.
Pacific is based on three books. Two of them I read: Helmet for my pillow by Leckie and With the old breed by Sledge.
Dunkirk is a typical Nolan film. Meaning it plays with time. The soldier story plays out over a week, the boat owner story plays out over a day and the fighter pilot story is an hour. And they all come together at one point.
The Shrek soundtrack is absolutely worse than the How to Train Your Dragon Soundtrack. That being said, Shrek 2 clears both by a fair amount.
Over time this series still holds a special place in my heart, but to be honest I've grown to like The Pacific more..
Generation War is an excellent view of WW2 from the german side if you guys want to watch some of that. It's relatively unknown but deserves so much more! It made me cry like BoB did 💔
You talk about Schindler's List, but in my opinion you should watch The Pianist, which is even better, especially in terms of accuracy, if of course you haven't watched it yet.
The Pacific next please.
i cant be the only one who really wants to see them watch the pacific now too right?
There was a BoB symposium earlier this year with many of the cast and crew telling their stories. Well worth watching but I don't know if it's reaction material
As ALL THE people involved in all These old Stories described on THIS excelent série, I cherish your reactions to It.
As a fellow human, when WE Share Feelings and understandings, Most of Out Fights and disagreements disappears.
We are seeing more and more wars sprouting All over the world now.
All men must came to peace with each another and Share THE riches and plenty God Provider in THIS world.
THIS all May Sound Like clichês and vain Hippie conversation But hey, clichê are clichê for a reason.
A Man Well Fed, living in Peace and with a Family He loves do Not chooses war ans conflict.
Great content, GOD Bless U' four and your Familie/beloved ones.
🙏🏻🇧🇷✌🏻🥰