Don't worry about remembering names; within 3 episodes you'll feel like they're part of your family and you'll miss them when it's over. It's a life-changing series. If you get as invested in these guys as many of us did, you'll absolutely want to see We Stand Alone Together to learn more about the real men from the men themselves. It's riveting, funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking. Currahee :)
Very true ! When the end credit roll on the last episode I always get a feel of loss, dare I say mourning, like I'm leaving a bunch of good friends behind for good. I must have watch the show a dozen times over the years and yet it never fails. Only amazing productions can achieve that !
Winters wasn't just helping them up he was also giving each man some encouragement. Sobel would never have thought of doing that as they boarded the plane.
I always got the impression it was also his way of shaking every man's hand before embarkation: "good luck" but also "goodbye", just in case he never saw them again.
@@holddowna You eventually recognised Simon Pegg, but not sure if you realised 5:50 was Michael Fassbender. There's a number of other now well known actors that have small roles in this, but I won't name any spoilers!
Watched this show with my dad who served in the 10th Armor Division during the war. It was the only time he would talk to me about the war. I am so glad so many people are watching and reacting to this amazing series.
One of the great subtleties about this show is towards the end of the episode when Winters is helping each of his men up off the deck - he does so with a handshake. Normally speaking officers shaking hands with enlisted men was frowned upon, but iirc he knew this might be the last opportunity he would have so under the guise of helping them up he was also shaking their hands. Great show - looking forward to seeing the rest of your reactions!
I so respect and admire this series as my own father was Airborne infantry during WWII and a combat veteran of the 17th Airborne, 194th Glider Infantry Regiment (my avatar was his shoulder patch). It informed much of my knowledge of what he went through as he was near where much of this series takes place from Foy onward and was in the same operation (Varsity) that you will learn more about in Episode 9. Thanks for taking the time to watch and learn about these men...our fathers and grandfathers who helped save the world during a dark time.
In the production, the team went above and beyond to be authentic. Custom and traditional uniforms up to and including WWII boots were made special for the show. They made legitimate specification replicas of the tanks in film shoots that you see later on. Actors were chosen to look like the actual men who bravely lived these real moments of the war. Those Veterans who were at the time of filming still with us even reviewed the scripts in order to ensure accuracy and being in keeping with what they remember. It's a phenomenal tribute to their heroism and stories, and you can't take your eyes away from the screen. Their highs and lows, laughter and blood, through and through its all captured with the unique film style and editing. Once you're done with this series, I would highly suggest the 2019 movie, Midway. The vets were passing away, and they moved heaven and earth to get real accounts and gather stories from relatives to recreate that epic battle as well as the events from both sides leading up to it. Highly enjoy your content, and I'm ever so glad I stumbled onto it.
I was in the 101st from 06 to 12. I meet maj. Winters a few times. A great man. Soft spoken. I have a 101st flag signed by him right before he passed. I would suggest to watch the pacific and generation kill next.
Sobel ended up an Accountant, working at a Sears Headquarters store on North Ave & Cicero Ave's in Chicago. Shot himself in the head, but botched the job. Spent the next 17 years in a VA nursing facilty, all mangled, where he died.
Oh my giddy aunt, I have never been so excited for a reactor to start a show. More than 20 years on, this is still hands down the best long form miniseries ever made.
This is easily one of the best things ever produced for popular commercial consumption, including all movies, plays, television, etc. A fact that most people forget, when they first aired this series on HBO, episode one and two premiered on September 9, 2001. Being able to watch this immediately after the events of 9/11 gave people a small sense of pride in seeing what those brave men of the 101st did in order to protect our freedoms. Their story reminded us as Americans, we didn't know what was going to happen next, but whatever came at us we would come together and do what was needed to overcome anything. Thanks to all military veterens and those in current active duty, past and present, including my father, grandfather, and numerous members of my immediate and extended family, for your sacrifice and service.
16:40 when Winters is requesting his trial the subtle clicking away by the type writer in the background stops for a second as the person typing is trying to believe what they're hearing. Then it starts back up agin, amazing small detail that I missed the first few times I watched the series. Now I chuckle every time I see that scene.
Can't wait to see Masters of the Air coming in January. But I have to say, yes it will most likely be a spectacular series based on the American Bomber Command, but never forget the USA did NOT win the war in the skies single handedly which I'm expecting will be the message. Take pride in your efforts yes, but the British and Canadians were there before, were so very grateful once you arrived, advised the Americans on the dangers of daytime bombing, the US ignored that advice because of their arrogance and paid dearly. More allied airmen lost their lives than all ground troops in WW2
@@MotorcycleImagingthis just isn’t true. We bombed during the day because our bombers had the Norden Bombsight, which was a revolutionary targeting system that was so good it was used into the Vietnam War. It was only effective during daylight though. It had nothing to do with US arrogance and EVERYTHING to do with the fact that if we bombed during the day we had a MASSIVE tactical advantage.
Colonel Sink’s praise and promotion of Captain Sobel to a non-combat leadership position was a brilliant stroke of leadership that saved lives. By getting Sobel hyped up on his praise, he was in a position where he couldn’t say no to the new job without giving the credit for his success to Lieutenant Winters and the non-commissioned officers, where it was truly deserves. But this way, nobody lost face, morale was improved, and Sobel’s tough standards, while unreasonable, were perfect for a training environment.
The average age of an allied soldier on D-Day was just 24, many were younger. They leapt into the open maw of an occupied and fiercely defended Europe to liberate it from nightmarish Nazi tyranny, they faced almost certain death, and many did so voluntarily. Nearly 80 years later and the memory of a generations selfless sacrifice begins to fade from societal consciousness, most people today are scarcely aware of these events and just how they've shaped the modern world we now enjoy.
One of the greatest miniseries ever made! From executive producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. My brother and sister used to watch the show every Sunday night for their history class.
I agree,one of the greatest mini-series ever made.I wouldn't expect anything less than_EXCELLENCE-from Spielberg and Hanks.I did 4 deployments to go fight in Iraq and I can most definitely say-WAR IS HELL. SEMPER-Fi
Currahee Mountain just outside of Toccoa, Georgia (Tuh-ko-uh) is about 25 miles southeast from where I live. After the war the camp was abandoned and then used as a prison camp for juvenile offenders, then abandoned again. Today you can still visit was is left and the trail that the soldiers ran up Currahee is still there and is named after Colonel Sink, and there is a yearly race named after Sink (Colonel Sink is the mustachioed man that was the commanding officer over Winters and Soebel (David Schwimmer).
This one of the best cinematic experiences I've had. It's powerful and touching. And TRUE. These are not characters- they are real people and this is their story.
I love your channel and I love Band of Brothers so to see that you're starting this finally is like a dream come true for me. I am a paratrooper and Jumpmaster in the US Army. My unit, the 1-501st, traces its lineage back to the 101st Airborne Division which is featured in Band of Brothers. We wear the same medals and ribbons on our dress uniforms because our units fought side-by-side in the same battles. We have tons of actual memorabilia and artifacts from WW2 in our Battalion Headquarters building, including bayonets, helmets, even a big Nazi flag signed by all the paratroopers who were there and captured it. I watch Band of Brothers at least twice a year because it has special meaning to me. I've watched it once already this year, so now I will be doing my 2nd viewing along with you. No series has brought to life an ensemble of characters so loveable and relatable as Band of Brothers. I can't wait for you to watch certain episodes, particularly Doc Roe's episode. Cheers from the 501st in Alaska!
This is one of the better reactions for BoB. Even without a lot of knowledge about the topic, you are insightful and intuitive, and you don’t try to fill in every second with unfiltered thoughts. Great. Please keep it up and finish the series!
This is such a good show . My 10th grade history teacher showed us this show. I loved it so much back then and I still love it now. I have been to camp toccoa. It is no longer an act of training facility, but it's very nostalgic, especially running up currahee. It's not an easy task and I was in modern running shoes and gym shorts and a shirt. When I first watched this it was really hard to take David schwimmer Sirius because I hadn't seen him in anything other than friends as Ross. Eventually I came around to thinking this guy's a savage at training his men. When I was in the army, one of our platoon sergeants was very harsh like this. As you watch this show, you'll see so many famous actors today. I'm sure you already saw Michael Fassbender , Simon Pegg and Donnie Wahlberg in this episode.
I discovered your channel yesterday. I love your videos - I’m a busy mum and through your videos I can “rewatch” movies that I like, only on a sped up way. Also massively jealous you’ve only started this now - it’s and INCREDIBLE show and you’ll recognise a ton of the cast
I do that as well for movies I adore but already watched so many times it takes some of the fun out of it (ie Godfather, Alien(s), Green Mile, Terminator, Shawshank, Jaws, ...)
This series did a good job as far as facts found in Ambrose’s book. Also the fact that Luz really did fool Sobel with his impersonation of Major Horton just makes that scene so funny.
HEROES. Exactly. The Greatest Generation of our Age. These men grew up during the Great Depression. Lived through WW1. Stopped Germany from Genocide. And Changed the World. Your Grandfather or Great Grandfather, may have well fought in WW2. But great reaction, well done.
“Test missions” are usually training exercises. The guys hiding are OP4 (opposing forces). So usually they know the game plan and then they build a strong hood or hunker down and wait for the platoon or company that is being evaluated.. So when winters suggested to stay there it’s because he listen to the mission brief (operation order) which gives the group being evaluated what to sort of expect with intended missing variables.
I'm one of the people that requested you do this series. I'm so happy you're finally getting to watch this. Get ready for an emotional roller coaster. This is one of the best history pieces ever shot. I love watching your reactions, it makes me feel like I'm watching this stuff for the first time. I can't wait for the next episode to drop. Hurry up and get to watching! 😆
A great series as many have already said. The interviews are very important as so few veterans are with us still. Everyone seems to notice David Schwimmer, but somehow miss Ron Livingston being right in front of them too. It’s funny seeing people slowly move away from seeing Ross from Friends to seeing who he’s playing here.
@@jacfalle27 Bradford Freeman, the very last member of Easy, passed away last year in Missouri. The last officer, Shames, passed away in '21 in Virginia.
@@holddownaNix is my favorite member of Easy. Maybe the bravest in his own quiet way. Enjoy. BTW was the take it easy comment in your intro a Sopranos reference?
For the past 15 years I’ve rewatched BoB at least 1-2x a year. Worth reading Ambrose’s book after watching. The scene of them loading up and flying toward France is incredible. First time the Allies were making a massive effort on Fortress Europa in years - can’t imagine what those guys were thinking on the flight and ship rides over
In addition to the series and the documentary We Stand Alone Together, which hopefully you’ll see, there is a “video diary” by Ron Livingston about the 2 week training period the cast went through, and see the cast bonding together and developing their characters.
Just in case it's not obvious, watch We Stand Alone Together and probably even the video diary after the main series to avoid any spoilers including who survived the war.
@@russb24 oh yes! And it is so moving to see how many clips are on TH-cam of award ceremonies, of reunions of the cast, many with veterans or their families, sometimes even traveling to Europe, and how close they all have become. Many of the cast have become close friends with one another, and worked on projects with or for one another. BOB has truly been a profound experience (with deep gratitude) for viewers and participants.
!!! Greetings from Montréal, Québec, Canada !!! Trying to watch the series, but can't find it in regular movie web sites !?! I am 63 yrs old (born in 1960), my father was 22 when he fought world war II came back he was 28-29 yrs. old, injured, missing a lung, a few ribs and emotionnally 'Jumpy', we my mother and 10 children) would never know when two wires would touch and the house would turn into a battlefield. Like you in episode 5-6 crying about the guys being blasted, I, being the son of one who was there, cried like a baby watching as you were watching anc crying, bringing back ols memories of my father storming of of his bedroom from horrible memories of war. Do not wear your poppy only in november wear it all the time to remind you of ALL the soldiers fighting mad dictators to keep the peace on earth !!! Stay healthy dear madam !!! Cheers !!!
As originally in the 101st Airborne, we take great pride in our history. Band of brothers is a great series, my favorite series. you won't be disappointed.
This is a journey you will never forget. It will affect any film or TV show about war that you see in the future. So glad you decided to do this. As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.
I have watched this series many times. I had it on DVD before my marriage imploded. I easily tear upon hearing the theme music within a few seconds of it starting to play. You are in for a ride. Enjoy it. Three miles up, three miles down!
Very proud of you to call out the use of in-camera techniques to replicate the 40's look. In this case? Spielberg replicated his "SPR" look using higher shutter speeds and color desaturation along with a lot of handheld cameras during the battle scenes to give it a much more intimate feel. Loved to see you recognize it! Keep it up... 😛
Just saw your channel, you have a new subscriber, as a Veteran, thank you for looking into the war movies. It's a different culture than most non military can understand! Thanks for trying!!! ❤
I’ve never seen a single episode of Friends so Captain Sobel is such an interesting character to me. Good trainer, he should have stuck to training men. Not meant to lead men into battle, tough job. I know I could not do it.
Airborne are the first troops in during an offensive operation. The were the first troops to land in France before the landing during D-Day. They help clear out the enemy's line of support to ease the landing.
Grew up in the generation in the immediate aftermath of this war, these men were my family, teachers, coaches, and the fathers of my friends. They are all gone now as is the world I grew up in. I miss them.
I want to say this; you humbly admit you know little about war, but you're so genuine and empathetic, I think it shines through and you connect with the characters on such a human level, it allows you to have a lot of observations which lead you to similar conclusions as armchair historians and war movie fans. Like when you mention they'll thank LT Sobel for how hard he trained them once they're in combat, the real Winters himself admitted that Sobel's tough training helped to better prepare the men for the harsh realities of war. Anyways, I think you're a very sharp film buff with a big heart, and it's cool to see you dipping your toe in the war film genre because you bring a lot of humanity to the commentary. Cheers.
I had a chance to see episodes 1 & 2 of this show before shipping out to basic training, and then Airborne School, in late 2001. I didn't get a chance to see the rest of the show until I had my wings. On my mother's side we are a military family, and I'm actually third generation airborne. My uncle - who was also a paratrooper - gave me this book before the show was even a thing, and before I'd considered joining. Needless to say, Band of Brothers was kind of a big deal to us, and I still watch the series around Veterans' Day every year. You're going to enjoy the story and the personalities, despite the harrowing backdrop.
10:13 - what you're seeing, the effect of making the footage look vintage, is a process called color grading. It's done in post production. Granted the type of lens and/or camera can impact the look but here they took the saturation down a bit, crushed the blacks (increasing the dark colors so there's less detail and it's more uniformly black), and really tweaked the RGB's (I'd have to play around with it to know which direction they went but it looks like they bumped up the red's and greens). I'm far from a color grading expert but now you know how this process is done.
Currahee is actually in a state park near me. I am currently exercising every day with the goal of being able to eventually make it to the top, the trail the Airborne used is still there. If you are ever near Chattahoochee National Park in North Georgia, it is supposed to be a fun hike.
Hello from the west coast, fellow Canadian! ♥ 3 miles is about 5 kilometres. I remember having to learn it all when we switched to metric in the mid-1970s. I'm not sure where you are but the Grouse Grind is about 3 kilometres, so Curahee is a longer run, though nowhere near as steep as the Grind. Get ready for a wild and emotional ride with this series. Keep a box of tissues handy. Band of Brothers is not only the best war mini-series ever done, it's the best overall TV mini-series. Attention to detail is incredible, though there are some mistakes. You'll recognise people from so many other shows and movies that it's a fun time trying to recognise them all. I'm impressed you even knew Simon Pegg by name. I think you're the first reactor I've seen who's ever done that. You're right that D-Day was the biggest operation ever done to that point, and I think it still remains that to this day. Not only were there British and US paratroopers dropped inland, three countries were assigned their own beaches to secure in the landings from the English Channel. The US had two beaches, the British got two, while Canada was assigned one because we were still a very sparsely populated country at that time. My grandfather was a medic in the Canadian Forces who served in Italy, the invasion of Holland and beyond, and in the D-Day landing on the code-named Juno Beach. I've subscribed and look forward to sharing this experience, and others, with you. ☺
Great reaction video. (4:57) 4.83 kilometers. Mount Currahee is 1,735-feet in elevation. That is identical to White Hill in Nova Scotia. (10:15) For those of you who are aspiring film producers/directors, that's the ARRIFLEX 435. Same camera they used in Star Wars: Darth Jar Jar.
Thank you so much for getting to BoB, Ames. I am enjoying your honest reactions. Sobel was a weasel, but to a man, Easy Company credited him with getting them physically ready to jump into Normandy. Winters was the quintessential leader. He knew how to motivate his men by example. And just remember that this is a true story based on the book by the same name ‘Band of Brothers’ each episode is based off real experience from the soldiers you’re seeing on screen. You’ll learn who is who at the end of the series! I love watching new people watch this show for the first time and im just as excited now! I guess Iv just seen this show get treated like it’s fiction to many times I just like reminding that it is real and happened to these guys. Keep up the amazing work
A Company was commanded by a Captain (Sobel). A Company was at that time comprised of 3 Platoons (usually) of 30-40 soldiers, each commanded by a First Lieutenant (Winters) or sometimes a Second Lieutenant. Below that there were various Sergeants of different ranks, the lower ranks leading Squads of approximately 8-10 men. Going the other way, the 101st Parachute Infantry Regiment was comprised of 9 Companies, comanded by Colonel (Sink). Within that Regiment were two Battalions, normally commanded by a Major (Horton).
This is my favorite series of all time. It really is incredible to see what they went through knowing they were just boys. Excited to see you finish the series.
THANK YOU for taking this on. You are just leaving the station on the ride of your life. Please remain seated at all times and keep your hands and arms within the car. Currahee!
5000 ships, 2400 aircraft and 900 gliders for the paratroopers, almost 12000 allied aircraft to support the invasion. Over 160,000 allied troops landed at the beaches supported by as many naval personal. Prior to D-day nearly 2 million military personel were assembled in England from 11 nations around the world for this moment. It is a monumental undertaking that hopefully the world never has to see again. In the days prior, the frenchn resistance start disrupting electrical, telecommunications and rail networks, bridges etc to disrupt the Nazi response and give the allies that crucial first few days to establish a foothold. The allies then built enormous floating harbours along the beaches after they were secured to start rolling heavy equipment, tanks etc and feed the troops with supplies and equipment as they pushed through France and onwards. Some of it is still there today as wrecked, as are many of the german coastal defences, anti ship artilery, bunkers, tunnels, tank traps etc. And SO SO many immaculately maintained and beautiful but harrowing cemeterys to the fallen.
Hello Ames! I'm so glad every time a reactor watches my favorite series. Welcome! So the History author, Steven Ambrose was looking to write about D-Day at Normandy, and he learned about a certain 101st Airborne veteran who will remain nameless to prevent spoilers, who wrote extensive memoirs about his experiences in E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, from training all through the end of the war. So Ambrose wrote this story about Easy Company from those memoirs and various memoirs, which he i titled "Band of Brothers." Then Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks make this series from it. I can tell already you are going to live it. Cant wait for more episodes!
Winters is a model leader. When Bull Randleman said Lt. Sobel hated Easy Company, Winters replied with a joke to keep morale up. Had he chosen not to respond, or agreed with Randleman, it wouldn't have done any good.
That’s right. There are two major themes through the series: 1) Small unit cohesion as from the title, and 2) leadership.we see examples of good and poor leadership.
The part where they were in a ditch and set up for a "textbook postion for ambush" was "Force on Force" training at the time they didn't shoot anything I don't think. Since the 70's we have used a Laser sysem known as the MILES (MULTIPLE INTEGRATED LASER ENGAGEMENT SYSTEM ) and blanks in the rifles to simulate gunfire.
So happy that you've started BofB......really, some of the best television I've ever seen. When you're done with the series (and I know you'll love it), you can do some followup with the Band of Brothers podcasts, which were made during the 20th anniversary of the show's premiere.........everything connected to this series it top-notch, much like your reactions. Thanks for posting.
My Grandfather was a Lancaster Bomber pilot during the war, was shot down over Germany and was made POW. During his stories he said he was forever in awe of the courageousness of the Americans. Lest we forget.
My family has a tradition that every Memorial Day, we have a Band of Brothers Marathon. The word currahee is a corruption of a phrase in Cherokee, meaning "We stand alone." Perfect motto for a paratrooper regiment, whose job is to jump behind enemy lines, secure an area, and then wait for the rest of the army to move in.
Currahee means in Cherokee, "Stand Alone". There a mount called Mount Currahee near Camp Toccoa, Georgia where 1st recruits for Airborne. 3 Miles up! 3 Miles down!
No paint balls but during combat exercises we were usually issued blank ammo. However you'd often hear soldiers yelling "bang, bang, bang" when their magazines were full of blanks because firing blanks makes your weapon remarkably filthy and nobody wants to clean up after them.
Very interested in your reaction to this wonderful series. Being a part of Currahee made me part of a special brotherhood. I remember when they stood the unit back up to go to Iraq. Currahee veterans from WWII and Vietnam attended the ceremony. Some of them even came back when we deployed in 2005.
The final scene with the aircraft and ships chokes me up every time - it's a two-word message to the French, Belgians, Dutch and other peoples of Europe who had been suffering under occupation and brutality for years - "We're coming". The other thing that's important about that scene is that, from the comfort of almost 80 years out, we know exactly how the invasion turned out. But at that moment, there was no way to tell how it would unfold. From the lowliest private to Eisenhower, Churchill and Roosevelt, no one knew if this would succeed. Everyone was holding their breath. Would our planes be shot down before the troopers could jump? Would they be too scattered to be effective? Would they wind up being picked off in detail? Would the German defenses push the American, British and Canadian landing troops back into the Channel? Would it be a complete and utter failure? Would all the efforts at secrecy fail in the end? No one had any idea.
Hey, first time here, I'll definitely stick around a bit. Here's some stuff I posted somewhere else that you might find usefull : The interviews at the beginning are veterans of Easy company, they don't show you their names so you don't know who survived. Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy, is the largest naval invasion in human history (in fact WW2 as a whole is packed with actions on a scale never seen before or after in human warfare). From what I gathered over the Internet, the airborne component of Overlord had two Divisions, the 82nd Airborne Division (All Americans, 6418 men) and the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles, 6638 men). The 101st was composed of 4 infantry Régiment, 327th GIR (Glider Infantry Regiment), 501st PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment), 502nd PIR and 506th PIR, plus a number of smaller support units: a Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, two Glider Field Artillery Battalion, an Engineer Battalion and a medical company (NB I may be missing a few, not all sources agree with each other). Each regiment was composed of 9 fighting company of around 150 men, named A (Able) to I (Item), grouped into 3 battalions of 3 company. Easy company was part of 2nd battalion, 506th PIR. The 506th was commanded by Colonel Robert Sink, he's the one giving the speech after they get their jump wings, and dressing down the NCOs after their mutiny. The 2nd battalion of the 506th was commanded by Lt Colonel Robert Strayer, he's standing at the right side of Sink during the speech, and he's the one dressing down Sobel after the fence incident. The 101st Airborne Division was commanded by General Maxwell Taylor, he's mentioned in tve show but I don't think he's ever on screen. Also, Major Oliver Horton (that Luz is imitating during the fence incident) was 2/506PIR (2nd battalion 506th PIR) Executive Officer, basically second in command. He's mentioned a few times in the show but never seen on screen. Oh, something I forgot, each regiment had an insignia on their helmet: 327th Clubs, 501st Diamonds, 502nd Hearts and 506th Spades. Hope that was useful information and context.
Stumbled upon your channel due to this amazing series. As I had several uncles who served in each branch of the armed forces, this production has a special meaning for me. Alongside that, this Greatest Generation I admire so much for so many reasons. This series does a wonderful job of honoring these men & I’m curious to hear your comments. Hope you give us your thoughts on the veterans interviews at the beginning & also try to remember their names. Definitely going to tag along on this journey, see how it unfolds. Thank you in advance for reviewing this.
I always kinda liked watching foreigners, especially americans, watching this show and realising what these guys had to put up with, in France, then my country, then Germany, and all troughout Europe for all the others. In here the scars and horrors of the war are still visible in some places, and in our grandparents, and sometimes it feels like on the other side of the ocean people might kinda forget how important is what happened in here, and how important the sacrifice of those guys was.
The planes used to invade Normandy were C-47’s. At the time of filming, there were 4 planes that were still in working order so the production crew rented them for the scenes, and with a little CGI, a whole new squadron was seen on screen. My grandmother was French. She lived under Nazi occupation for a few years, but luckily, what with her family being catholic, the Nazi soldiers and SS officers were courteous to her and the rest of the family. She was born June 6th, 1926. That means she celebrated her 18th birthday on the actual D-Day. Happy birthday grandma, the allies are coming. Her father fought in WWI, survived, and came back home. He did not fight in WWII.
Great choice! For those who don't know, this is a true story, based on the experiences of the guys in E Company ("Easy" Company, but there was nothing easy about it), 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The Screaming Eagles. Trained to fight behind enemy lines, and cause all kinds of problems for the enemy, clearing the way for the rest of the American army. And they did! The old guys interviewed are the real guys. But they won't tell you their names until the end of the last episode, so not to give away who lives and who dies.
This series focuses on the Americans. That same night British and a battalion of Canadian airborne troops jumped behind the lines at Sword beach to protect the eastern flank of the invasion. Canadian seaborne troops landed at Juno beach. The first hour of fighting the Canadians had an almost 50% casualty rate. All of these troops went but there was no guarantee of success.
David Schwimmer really is an excellent actor - can't tell you how many reactors I've seen who have had your reaction - they see him on screen and say "Ross!" but by the time he calls Malarkey "private bullshit" they're all in on him as Sobel. It's an amazing series, one of the best. Can't wait to see what you think of it!
"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops," Eisenhower wrote. "My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone." General Dwight D. Eisenhower's other prepared speech. D-DAY was never a guarantee...
You are correct, it was one of the best planned invasions. However, on June 5th, 1944 planes were supposed to fly over and blow up the beach line clearing the bunkers in all German enemies. But the fog was so thick. The planes could not see the beach line so they just dropped the bombs when they felt they were close to the beach line. The bombs ended up landing a couple miles behind the beach line blowing up farmland. This is why storming the beaches of Normandy was so gruesome because we all thought it was clear when it actually wasn't hence the opening scene from Saving Private Ryan.
This is my favorite series by far. And I rewatch it a couple times a year. It’s has some tough scenes especially in episode 9. As for the training route and ‘Currahea’ it’s a 12 mile route in total. 3 miles to get to the base of the mountain, 3 miles up, 3 miles down, 3 miles back to base. 3 miles equals 4.82KM. So 4.82KM up 4.28KM down. The total route is 19.31KM.
I have seen this series literally about 50 times, and I never onced noticed Sobel's little nod when they started singing after he was chewing them out for puking etc. He knew he was building them up as a unit. Sobel trained them perfectly, he was just a terrible combat Officer. Operation Fortitude was the deception plan they used to throw the German's completely off regarding this invasion. Really fascinating stuff.
22:06 CPT Sobel actually did make the combat jump into Normandy on D-Day and assembled a group of other paratroopers and destroyed a German machine gun nest. He just wasn’t part of E company anymore
Awesome you are taking this Journey. Best mini series ever in my opinion. An no worries about knowledge of WW2. You will get an education right right here. Ask questions if need be. You will definitely get an answer.
Most of these actors were relatively unknown when this movie was made. Captain Dale Dye not only acted in this movie, he is also a former Marine and technical advisor on many military movies, including this one. Before the production started he put the actors through a mini boot camp to prepare them for the movie. Because of this movie several of these actors went on to do the voices for some of the characters in one of the Call of Duty games.
Amazing series... so brilliant and moving (from the opening credits you know it is first-rate). I have watched it many times and it always makes a huge impact on me.
Don't worry about remembering names; within 3 episodes you'll feel like they're part of your family and you'll miss them when it's over. It's a life-changing series. If you get as invested in these guys as many of us did, you'll absolutely want to see We Stand Alone Together to learn more about the real men from the men themselves. It's riveting, funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking. Currahee :)
That is so damn true. I remember when a few of them passed in recent years, there were literal announcements on the news.
Very true ! When the end credit roll on the last episode I always get a feel of loss, dare I say mourning, like I'm leaving a bunch of good friends behind for good. I must have watch the show a dozen times over the years and yet it never fails. Only amazing productions can achieve that !
There is so many characters it really takes a few viewings to really remember all of the names.
Winters wasn't just helping them up he was also giving each man some encouragement. Sobel would never have thought of doing that as they boarded the plane.
He would revoke their week end pass for lying down lol even though they about to go to war so it wouldnt matter anyways :)
@@Heymisterareyougonnadie there's definitely this depth in the scene
I always got the impression it was also his way of shaking every man's hand before embarkation: "good luck" but also "goodbye", just in case he never saw them again.
My favourite thing about people who have no idea about this show is seeing David Schwimmer for the first time. Everyone always has the same reaction
Hahah! I bet!
I bet!!!
And the reaction is usually always the same.
"Oh my god I can't take him seriously in this role.."
10mins later
"Oh my god I just hate him so much!"
@@holddowna You eventually recognised Simon Pegg, but not sure if you realised 5:50 was Michael Fassbender. There's a number of other now well known actors that have small roles in this, but I won't name any spoilers!
Now I'm there opposite! Everytime I see a episode of friends all I can hear is "YOU PEOPLE ARE AT THE POSITION OF ATTENTION"!!
Watched this show with my dad who served in the 10th Armor Division during the war. It was the only time he would talk to me about the war. I am so glad so many people are watching and reacting to this amazing series.
"never put yourself in a position where you can take from these men" captain winters
what good dialogue.
One of the great subtleties about this show is towards the end of the episode when Winters is helping each of his men up off the deck - he does so with a handshake. Normally speaking officers shaking hands with enlisted men was frowned upon, but iirc he knew this might be the last opportunity he would have so under the guise of helping them up he was also shaking their hands. Great show - looking forward to seeing the rest of your reactions!
I so respect and admire this series as my own father was Airborne infantry during WWII and a combat veteran of the 17th Airborne, 194th Glider Infantry Regiment (my avatar was his shoulder patch). It informed much of my knowledge of what he went through as he was near where much of this series takes place from Foy onward and was in the same operation (Varsity) that you will learn more about in Episode 9. Thanks for taking the time to watch and learn about these men...our fathers and grandfathers who helped save the world during a dark time.
Thank ur pop and all the other amazing men! Thanks for watching!
This is truly one of the most life-changing series you could ever watch, excited to see more!
In the production, the team went above and beyond to be authentic. Custom and traditional uniforms up to and including WWII boots were made special for the show. They made legitimate specification replicas of the tanks in film shoots that you see later on. Actors were chosen to look like the actual men who bravely lived these real moments of the war. Those Veterans who were at the time of filming still with us even reviewed the scripts in order to ensure accuracy and being in keeping with what they remember. It's a phenomenal tribute to their heroism and stories, and you can't take your eyes away from the screen. Their highs and lows, laughter and blood, through and through its all captured with the unique film style and editing.
Once you're done with this series, I would highly suggest the 2019 movie, Midway. The vets were passing away, and they moved heaven and earth to get real accounts and gather stories from relatives to recreate that epic battle as well as the events from both sides leading up to it. Highly enjoy your content, and I'm ever so glad I stumbled onto it.
YESSSS This show needs to be seen by every man, woman, child, person, plane, animal and thing to ever exist! Can't wait for the see this!
I was in the 101st from 06 to 12. I meet maj. Winters a few times. A great man. Soft spoken. I have a 101st flag signed by him right before he passed.
I would suggest to watch the pacific and generation kill next.
Once you've seen Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers is inevitable. They feel like essential companion pieces.
Yes they do.
Produced by the same people. Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg saw the success of SPR so they went on to make a whole series.
Especially since Ryan was a part of the airborne that parachuted in.
Sobel ended up an Accountant, working at a Sears Headquarters store on North Ave & Cicero Ave's in Chicago. Shot himself in the head, but botched the job. Spent the next 17 years in a VA nursing facilty, all mangled, where he died.
😣 ohh
Oh my giddy aunt, I have never been so excited for a reactor to start a show. More than 20 years on, this is still hands down the best long form miniseries ever made.
Lonesome Dove is another excellent choice for a miniseries.
Das Boot is a miniseries that was emrecut into a really long movie.
This is easily one of the best things ever produced for popular commercial consumption, including all movies, plays, television, etc. A fact that most people forget, when they first aired this series on HBO, episode one and two premiered on September 9, 2001. Being able to watch this immediately after the events of 9/11 gave people a small sense of pride in seeing what those brave men of the 101st did in order to protect our freedoms. Their story reminded us as Americans, we didn't know what was going to happen next, but whatever came at us we would come together and do what was needed to overcome anything.
Thanks to all military veterens and those in current active duty, past and present, including my father, grandfather, and numerous members of my immediate and extended family, for your sacrifice and service.
16:40 when Winters is requesting his trial the subtle clicking away by the type writer in the background stops for a second as the person typing is trying to believe what they're hearing. Then it starts back up agin, amazing small detail that I missed the first few times I watched the series. Now I chuckle every time I see that scene.
Damn this series has a special place in my heart. You definitely need to watch The Pacific immediately after this.
❤❤
Can't wait to see Masters of the Air coming in January. But I have to say, yes it will most likely be a spectacular series based on the American Bomber Command, but never forget the USA did NOT win the war in the skies single handedly which I'm expecting will be the message. Take pride in your efforts yes, but the British and Canadians were there before, were so very grateful once you arrived, advised the Americans on the dangers of daytime bombing, the US ignored that advice because of their arrogance and paid dearly. More allied airmen lost their lives than all ground troops in WW2
@@MotorcycleImagingthis just isn’t true. We bombed during the day because our bombers had the Norden Bombsight, which was a revolutionary targeting system that was so good it was used into the Vietnam War. It was only effective during daylight though.
It had nothing to do with US arrogance and EVERYTHING to do with the fact that if we bombed during the day we had a MASSIVE tactical advantage.
Colonel Sink’s praise and promotion of Captain Sobel to a non-combat leadership position was a brilliant stroke of leadership that saved lives. By getting Sobel hyped up on his praise, he was in a position where he couldn’t say no to the new job without giving the credit for his success to Lieutenant Winters and the non-commissioned officers, where it was truly deserves. But this way, nobody lost face, morale was improved, and Sobel’s tough standards, while unreasonable, were perfect for a training environment.
If I remember correctly, the men of Easy Company didn't like Sobel but realised that his methods helped them in the long run.
So happy you're doing this masterpiece of a series
This is probably the greatest miniseries of all time. It's just fantastic. I'm looking forward to your reactions for this!
Chernobyl come close second but you're right
The average age of an allied soldier on D-Day was just 24, many were younger. They leapt into the open maw of an occupied and fiercely defended Europe to liberate it from nightmarish Nazi tyranny, they faced almost certain death, and many did so voluntarily. Nearly 80 years later and the memory of a generations selfless sacrifice begins to fade from societal consciousness, most people today are scarcely aware of these events and just how they've shaped the modern world we now enjoy.
One of the greatest miniseries ever made!
From executive producers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.
My brother and sister used to watch the show every Sunday night for their history class.
I agree,one of the greatest mini-series ever made.I wouldn't expect anything less than_EXCELLENCE-from Spielberg and Hanks.I did 4 deployments to go fight in Iraq and I can most definitely say-WAR IS HELL. SEMPER-Fi
Wow I was not expecting this. I would absolutely love if you did "The Pacific" after. Us war/history show lovers will help you through if need be!
Let’s see how she handles this first
Hahaha I was thinking the same thing. The pacific is way more intense!
@@michaelstach5744 same thinking here. let's go through Bastogne, Breaking Point and Why We Fight first then it'll be time to consider The Pacific
Currahee Mountain just outside of Toccoa, Georgia (Tuh-ko-uh) is about 25 miles southeast from where I live. After the war the camp was abandoned and then used as a prison camp for juvenile offenders, then abandoned again. Today you can still visit was is left and the trail that the soldiers ran up Currahee is still there and is named after Colonel Sink, and there is a yearly race named after Sink (Colonel Sink is the mustachioed man that was the commanding officer over Winters and Soebel (David Schwimmer).
This one of the best cinematic experiences I've had. It's powerful and touching. And TRUE. These are not characters- they are real people and this is their story.
I can’t wait to continue!
I love your channel and I love Band of Brothers so to see that you're starting this finally is like a dream come true for me.
I am a paratrooper and Jumpmaster in the US Army. My unit, the 1-501st, traces its lineage back to the 101st Airborne Division which is featured in Band of Brothers. We wear the same medals and ribbons on our dress uniforms because our units fought side-by-side in the same battles. We have tons of actual memorabilia and artifacts from WW2 in our Battalion Headquarters building, including bayonets, helmets, even a big Nazi flag signed by all the paratroopers who were there and captured it. I watch Band of Brothers at least twice a year because it has special meaning to me. I've watched it once already this year, so now I will be doing my 2nd viewing along with you.
No series has brought to life an ensemble of characters so loveable and relatable as Band of Brothers. I can't wait for you to watch certain episodes, particularly Doc Roe's episode.
Cheers from the 501st in Alaska!
This is one of the better reactions for BoB. Even without a lot of knowledge about the topic, you are insightful and intuitive, and you don’t try to fill in every second with unfiltered thoughts. Great. Please keep it up and finish the series!
Wow, thank you! I def try and find a balance for my own viewing urs and copy right reasons😅 I love this show
This is such a good show . My 10th grade history teacher showed us this show. I loved it so much back then and I still love it now. I have been to camp toccoa. It is no longer an act of training facility, but it's very nostalgic, especially running up currahee. It's not an easy task and I was in modern running shoes and gym shorts and a shirt. When I first watched this it was really hard to take David schwimmer Sirius because I hadn't seen him in anything other than friends as Ross. Eventually I came around to thinking this guy's a savage at training his men. When I was in the army, one of our platoon sergeants was very harsh like this. As you watch this show, you'll see so many famous actors today. I'm sure you already saw Michael Fassbender , Simon Pegg and Donnie Wahlberg in this episode.
You were in the army ??? So was I. LOL. How long were you in and what was your MOS ???? Last duty station also,please ???
I discovered your channel yesterday. I love your videos - I’m a busy mum and through your videos I can “rewatch” movies that I like, only on a sped up way. Also massively jealous you’ve only started this now - it’s and INCREDIBLE show and you’ll recognise a ton of the cast
I do that as well for movies I adore but already watched so many times it takes some of the fun out of it (ie Godfather, Alien(s), Green Mile, Terminator, Shawshank, Jaws, ...)
This series did a good job as far as facts found in Ambrose’s book. Also the fact that Luz really did fool Sobel with his impersonation of Major Horton just makes that scene so funny.
HEROES. Exactly.
The Greatest Generation of our Age.
These men grew up during the Great Depression. Lived through WW1. Stopped Germany from Genocide. And Changed the World.
Your Grandfather or Great Grandfather, may have well fought in WW2.
But great reaction, well done.
“Test missions” are usually training exercises.
The guys hiding are OP4 (opposing forces). So usually they know the game plan and then they build a strong hood or hunker down and wait for the platoon or company that is being evaluated..
So when winters suggested to stay there it’s because he listen to the mission brief (operation order) which gives the group being evaluated what to sort of expect with intended missing variables.
I'm one of the people that requested you do this series. I'm so happy you're finally getting to watch this. Get ready for an emotional roller coaster. This is one of the best history pieces ever shot. I love watching your reactions, it makes me feel like I'm watching this stuff for the first time. I can't wait for the next episode to drop. Hurry up and get to watching! 😆
Yeah, later episodes are *rough*. Especially ones during Battle of the Bulge.
A great series as many have already said. The interviews are very important as so few veterans are with us still.
Everyone seems to notice David Schwimmer, but somehow miss Ron Livingston being right in front of them too. It’s funny seeing people slowly move away from seeing Ross from Friends to seeing who he’s playing here.
I noticed Ron away! Aka burger
And the last surviving member of Easy Company passed away a couple of years ago in Oregon.
@@jacfalle27 Bradford Freeman, the very last member of Easy, passed away last year in Missouri. The last officer, Shames, passed away in '21 in Virginia.
@@FrenchieQc I could’ve sworn I read a couple of years ago that it was in Oregon, but I stand corrected.
@@holddownaNix is my favorite member of Easy. Maybe the bravest in his own quiet way. Enjoy. BTW was the take it easy comment in your intro a Sopranos reference?
Excellent show. Hearing the vets tell their stories is important and makes you appreciate them all the more. Top shelf TV.
For the past 15 years I’ve rewatched BoB at least 1-2x a year. Worth reading Ambrose’s book after watching. The scene of them loading up and flying toward France is incredible. First time the Allies were making a massive effort on Fortress Europa in years - can’t imagine what those guys were thinking on the flight and ship rides over
In addition to the series and the documentary We Stand Alone Together, which hopefully you’ll see, there is a “video diary” by Ron Livingston about the 2 week training period the cast went through, and see the cast bonding together and developing their characters.
Just in case it's not obvious, watch We Stand Alone Together and probably even the video diary after the main series to avoid any spoilers including who survived the war.
@@russb24 oh yes! And it is so moving to see how many clips are on TH-cam of award ceremonies, of reunions of the cast, many with veterans or their families, sometimes even traveling to Europe, and how close they all have become. Many of the cast have become close friends with one another, and worked on projects with or for one another. BOB has truly been a profound experience (with deep gratitude) for viewers and participants.
The film is Mr. Lucky (1943) starring Cary Grant and Laraine Day.
!!! Greetings from Montréal, Québec, Canada !!! Trying to watch the series, but can't find it in regular movie web sites !?! I am 63 yrs old (born in 1960), my father was 22 when he fought world war II came back he was 28-29 yrs. old, injured, missing a lung, a few ribs and emotionnally 'Jumpy', we my mother and 10 children) would never know when two wires would touch and the house would turn into a battlefield. Like you in episode 5-6 crying about the guys being blasted, I, being the son of one who was there, cried like a baby watching as you were watching anc crying, bringing back ols memories of my father storming of of his bedroom from horrible memories of war. Do not wear your poppy only in november wear it all the time to remind you of ALL the soldiers fighting mad dictators to keep the peace on earth !!! Stay healthy dear madam !!! Cheers !!!
Currahee and some of Camp Toccoa are part of a park and museum in Georgia.
As originally in the 101st Airborne, we take great pride in our history. Band of brothers is a great series, my favorite series. you won't be disappointed.
This is a journey you will never forget. It will affect any film or TV show about war that you see in the future.
So glad you decided to do this.
As we say in Texas; y'all be safe.
I have watched this series many times. I had it on DVD before my marriage imploded. I easily tear upon hearing the theme music within a few seconds of it starting to play. You are in for a ride. Enjoy it. Three miles up, three miles down!
Very proud of you to call out the use of in-camera techniques to replicate the 40's look. In this case? Spielberg replicated his "SPR" look using higher shutter speeds and color desaturation along with a lot of handheld cameras during the battle scenes to give it a much more intimate feel. Loved to see you recognize it! Keep it up... 😛
Just saw your channel, you have a new subscriber, as a Veteran, thank you for looking into the war movies. It's a different culture than most non military can understand! Thanks for trying!!! ❤
one of my most favorite series of all time! rewatching this has become a tradition with me and my brother in law! watched it like 10 times now!
Hope you dig in and enjoy this series, so many layers and the ensemble cast is outstanding.
"Just because no one ever complains, doesn't mean all parachutes are perfect." -Benny Hill 😁
I’ve never seen a single episode of Friends so Captain Sobel is such an interesting character to me. Good trainer, he should have stuck to training men. Not meant to lead men into battle, tough job. I know I could not do it.
Airborne are the first troops in during an offensive operation. The were the first troops to land in France before the landing during D-Day. They help clear out the enemy's line of support to ease the landing.
"WE WERE ON A BREAK!" 😂 Every time i see David Schwimmer... Anyway, amazing mini series, u gonna love. Top tier cinematography.
This holds up still to this day. What an exceptionally done series
Grew up in the generation in the immediate aftermath of this war, these men were my family, teachers, coaches, and the fathers of my friends. They are all gone now as is the world I grew up in. I miss them.
I want to say this; you humbly admit you know little about war, but you're so genuine and empathetic, I think it shines through and you connect with the characters on such a human level, it allows you to have a lot of observations which lead you to similar conclusions as armchair historians and war movie fans. Like when you mention they'll thank LT Sobel for how hard he trained them once they're in combat, the real Winters himself admitted that Sobel's tough training helped to better prepare the men for the harsh realities of war.
Anyways, I think you're a very sharp film buff with a big heart, and it's cool to see you dipping your toe in the war film genre because you bring a lot of humanity to the commentary. Cheers.
Wow. Thank you. These kind words mean a lot to me 🥲 thanks for watching and hanging out on the channel ❤️
@@holddowna You're very welcome, dude. Always pleasant to hear empathic thoughts on shows and movies, and your videos don't disappoint.
Best series ever. Life changing to watch. Everyone one of those men were true heroes, sad that they are now all gone.
I had a chance to see episodes 1 & 2 of this show before shipping out to basic training, and then Airborne School, in late 2001. I didn't get a chance to see the rest of the show until I had my wings. On my mother's side we are a military family, and I'm actually third generation airborne. My uncle - who was also a paratrooper - gave me this book before the show was even a thing, and before I'd considered joining.
Needless to say, Band of Brothers was kind of a big deal to us, and I still watch the series around Veterans' Day every year. You're going to enjoy the story and the personalities, despite the harrowing backdrop.
10:13 - what you're seeing, the effect of making the footage look vintage, is a process called color grading. It's done in post production. Granted the type of lens and/or camera can impact the look but here they took the saturation down a bit, crushed the blacks (increasing the dark colors so there's less detail and it's more uniformly black), and really tweaked the RGB's (I'd have to play around with it to know which direction they went but it looks like they bumped up the red's and greens). I'm far from a color grading expert but now you know how this process is done.
Currahee is actually in a state park near me. I am currently exercising every day with the goal of being able to eventually make it to the top, the trail the Airborne used is still there. If you are ever near Chattahoochee National Park in North Georgia, it is supposed to be a fun hike.
Hello from the west coast, fellow Canadian! ♥
3 miles is about 5 kilometres. I remember having to learn it all when we switched to metric in the mid-1970s. I'm not sure where you are but the Grouse Grind is about 3 kilometres, so Curahee is a longer run, though nowhere near as steep as the Grind.
Get ready for a wild and emotional ride with this series. Keep a box of tissues handy. Band of Brothers is not only the best war mini-series ever done, it's the best overall TV mini-series. Attention to detail is incredible, though there are some mistakes.
You'll recognise people from so many other shows and movies that it's a fun time trying to recognise them all. I'm impressed you even knew Simon Pegg by name. I think you're the first reactor I've seen who's ever done that.
You're right that D-Day was the biggest operation ever done to that point, and I think it still remains that to this day. Not only were there British and US paratroopers dropped inland, three countries were assigned their own beaches to secure in the landings from the English Channel. The US had two beaches, the British got two, while Canada was assigned one because we were still a very sparsely populated country at that time. My grandfather was a medic in the Canadian Forces who served in Italy, the invasion of Holland and beyond, and in the D-Day landing on the code-named Juno Beach.
I've subscribed and look forward to sharing this experience, and others, with you. ☺
US had two beaches: Omaha and Utah.
@@catherinelw9365 You're right, thank you ☺
Great reaction video.
(4:57) 4.83 kilometers. Mount Currahee is 1,735-feet in elevation. That is identical to White Hill in Nova Scotia.
(10:15) For those of you who are aspiring film producers/directors, that's the ARRIFLEX 435. Same camera they used in Star Wars: Darth Jar Jar.
"Why do you want to be an actor?"
"Because I despise myself and desperately want to be someone else!"
Thank you so much for getting to BoB, Ames. I am enjoying your honest reactions. Sobel was a weasel, but to a man, Easy Company credited him with getting them physically ready to jump into Normandy. Winters was the quintessential leader. He knew how to motivate his men by example. And just remember that this is a true story based on the book by the same name ‘Band of Brothers’ each episode is based off real experience from the soldiers you’re seeing on screen. You’ll learn who is who at the end of the series! I love watching new people watch this show for the first time and im just as excited now! I guess Iv just seen this show get treated like it’s fiction to many times I just like reminding that it is real and happened to these guys. Keep up the amazing work
A Company was commanded by a Captain (Sobel). A Company was at that time comprised of 3 Platoons (usually) of 30-40 soldiers, each commanded by a First Lieutenant (Winters) or sometimes a Second Lieutenant. Below that there were various Sergeants of different ranks, the lower ranks leading Squads of approximately 8-10 men.
Going the other way, the 101st Parachute Infantry Regiment was comprised of 9 Companies, comanded by Colonel (Sink). Within that Regiment were two Battalions, normally commanded by a Major (Horton).
I'm actually excited for the journey you're about to go down. You truly have no idea what you're getting into. Many tears will be shed.
This is my favorite series of all time. It really is incredible to see what they went through knowing they were just boys. Excited to see you finish the series.
THANK YOU for taking this on. You are just leaving the station on the ride of your life. Please remain seated at all times and keep your hands and arms within the car. Currahee!
5000 ships, 2400 aircraft and 900 gliders for the paratroopers, almost 12000 allied aircraft to support the invasion. Over 160,000 allied troops landed at the beaches supported by as many naval personal. Prior to D-day nearly 2 million military personel were assembled in England from 11 nations around the world for this moment. It is a monumental undertaking that hopefully the world never has to see again. In the days prior, the frenchn resistance start disrupting electrical, telecommunications and rail networks, bridges etc to disrupt the Nazi response and give the allies that crucial first few days to establish a foothold.
The allies then built enormous floating harbours along the beaches after they were secured to start rolling heavy equipment, tanks etc and feed the troops with supplies and equipment as they pushed through France and onwards. Some of it is still there today as wrecked, as are many of the german coastal defences, anti ship artilery, bunkers, tunnels, tank traps etc. And SO SO many immaculately maintained and beautiful but harrowing cemeterys to the fallen.
Hello Ames! I'm so glad every time a reactor watches my favorite series. Welcome! So the History author, Steven Ambrose was looking to write about D-Day at Normandy, and he learned about a certain 101st Airborne veteran who will remain nameless to prevent spoilers, who wrote extensive memoirs about his experiences in E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, from training all through the end of the war. So Ambrose wrote this story about Easy Company from those memoirs and various memoirs, which he i titled "Band of Brothers." Then Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks make this series from it. I can tell already you are going to live it. Cant wait for more episodes!
Winters is a model leader. When Bull Randleman said Lt. Sobel hated Easy Company, Winters replied with a joke to keep morale up. Had he chosen not to respond, or agreed with Randleman, it wouldn't have done any good.
That’s right. There are two major themes through the series: 1) Small unit cohesion as from the title, and 2) leadership.we see examples of good and poor leadership.
The part where they were in a ditch and set up for a "textbook postion for ambush" was "Force on Force" training at the time they didn't shoot anything I don't think. Since the 70's we have used a Laser sysem known as the MILES (MULTIPLE INTEGRATED LASER ENGAGEMENT SYSTEM ) and blanks in the rifles to simulate gunfire.
So happy that you've started BofB......really, some of the best television I've ever seen. When you're done with the series (and I know you'll love it), you can do some followup with the Band of Brothers podcasts, which were made during the 20th anniversary of the show's premiere.........everything connected to this series it top-notch, much like your reactions. Thanks for posting.
My Grandfather was a Lancaster Bomber pilot during the war, was shot down over Germany and was made POW. During his stories he said he was forever in awe of the courageousness of the Americans. Lest we forget.
My family has a tradition that every Memorial Day, we have a Band of Brothers Marathon.
The word currahee is a corruption of a phrase in Cherokee, meaning "We stand alone." Perfect motto for a paratrooper regiment, whose job is to jump behind enemy lines, secure an area, and then wait for the rest of the army to move in.
Currahee means in Cherokee, "Stand Alone". There a mount called Mount Currahee near Camp Toccoa, Georgia where 1st recruits for Airborne. 3 Miles up! 3 Miles down!
Ive watched this series every year around Christmas since 2001. It is so well done and I am excited to join you on your journey!!
I think I've watched through this whole show 5 times so far. It really is something you can just keep coming back to, and the book's fantastic too.
No paint balls but during combat exercises we were usually issued blank ammo. However you'd often hear soldiers yelling "bang, bang, bang" when their magazines were full of blanks because firing blanks makes your weapon remarkably filthy and nobody wants to clean up after them.
Very interested in your reaction to this wonderful series. Being a part of Currahee made me part of a special brotherhood. I remember when they stood the unit back up to go to Iraq. Currahee veterans from WWII and Vietnam attended the ceremony. Some of them even came back when we deployed in 2005.
All veterans are heroes. Airborn men are my brothers. Thank you for this kind of vision movies. I also crime whit you.
This is one of the best, star studded mini series ever made! It'll take you for a ride
The final scene with the aircraft and ships chokes me up every time - it's a two-word message to the French, Belgians, Dutch and other peoples of Europe who had been suffering under occupation and brutality for years - "We're coming".
The other thing that's important about that scene is that, from the comfort of almost 80 years out, we know exactly how the invasion turned out. But at that moment, there was no way to tell how it would unfold. From the lowliest private to Eisenhower, Churchill and Roosevelt, no one knew if this would succeed. Everyone was holding their breath. Would our planes be shot down before the troopers could jump? Would they be too scattered to be effective? Would they wind up being picked off in detail? Would the German defenses push the American, British and Canadian landing troops back into the Channel? Would it be a complete and utter failure? Would all the efforts at secrecy fail in the end? No one had any idea.
Hey, first time here, I'll definitely stick around a bit. Here's some stuff I posted somewhere else that you might find usefull :
The interviews at the beginning are veterans of Easy company, they don't show you their names so you don't know who survived.
Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy, is the largest naval invasion in human history (in fact WW2 as a whole is packed with actions on a scale never seen before or after in human warfare).
From what I gathered over the Internet, the airborne component of Overlord had two Divisions, the 82nd Airborne Division (All Americans, 6418 men) and the 101st Airborne Division (Screaming Eagles, 6638 men).
The 101st was composed of 4 infantry Régiment, 327th GIR (Glider Infantry Regiment), 501st PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment), 502nd PIR and 506th PIR, plus a number of smaller support units: a Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, two Glider Field Artillery Battalion, an Engineer Battalion and a medical company (NB I may be missing a few, not all sources agree with each other).
Each regiment was composed of 9 fighting company of around 150 men, named A (Able) to I (Item), grouped into 3 battalions of 3 company.
Easy company was part of 2nd battalion, 506th PIR.
The 506th was commanded by Colonel Robert Sink, he's the one giving the speech after they get their jump wings, and dressing down the NCOs after their mutiny.
The 2nd battalion of the 506th was commanded by Lt Colonel Robert Strayer, he's standing at the right side of Sink during the speech, and he's the one dressing down Sobel after the fence incident.
The 101st Airborne Division was commanded by General Maxwell Taylor, he's mentioned in tve show but I don't think he's ever on screen.
Also, Major Oliver Horton (that Luz is imitating during the fence incident) was 2/506PIR (2nd battalion 506th PIR) Executive Officer, basically second in command. He's mentioned a few times in the show but never seen on screen.
Oh, something I forgot, each regiment had an insignia on their helmet: 327th Clubs, 501st Diamonds, 502nd Hearts and 506th Spades.
Hope that was useful information and context.
Wow thanks so much for ur comment!!!! Thanks for sticking around! Means a lot !
This series is life changing. Your really going to enjoy this journey!
That's Laraine Day opposite of Cary Grant in Mr. Lucky.
Stumbled upon your channel due to this amazing series. As I had several uncles who served in each branch of the armed forces, this production has a special meaning for me. Alongside that, this Greatest Generation I admire so much for so many reasons. This series does a wonderful job of honoring these men & I’m curious to hear your comments. Hope you give us your thoughts on the veterans interviews at the beginning & also try to remember their names. Definitely going to tag along on this journey, see how it unfolds. Thank you in advance for reviewing this.
I always kinda liked watching foreigners, especially americans, watching this show and realising what these guys had to put up with, in France, then my country, then Germany, and all troughout Europe for all the others. In here the scars and horrors of the war are still visible in some places, and in our grandparents, and sometimes it feels like on the other side of the ocean people might kinda forget how important is what happened in here, and how important the sacrifice of those guys was.
The planes used to invade Normandy were C-47’s. At the time of filming, there were 4 planes that were still in working order so the production crew rented them for the scenes, and with a little CGI, a whole new squadron was seen on screen.
My grandmother was French. She lived under Nazi occupation for a few years, but luckily, what with her family being catholic, the Nazi soldiers and SS officers were courteous to her and the rest of the family. She was born June 6th, 1926. That means she celebrated her 18th birthday on the actual D-Day. Happy birthday grandma, the allies are coming.
Her father fought in WWI, survived, and came back home. He did not fight in WWII.
Great choice! For those who don't know, this is a true story, based on the experiences of the guys in E Company ("Easy" Company, but there was nothing easy about it), 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. The Screaming Eagles. Trained to fight behind enemy lines, and cause all kinds of problems for the enemy, clearing the way for the rest of the American army. And they did! The old guys interviewed are the real guys. But they won't tell you their names until the end of the last episode, so not to give away who lives and who dies.
This series focuses on the Americans. That same night British and a battalion of Canadian airborne troops jumped behind the lines at Sword beach to protect the eastern flank of the invasion. Canadian seaborne troops landed at Juno beach. The first hour of fighting the Canadians had an almost 50% casualty rate. All of these troops went but there was no guarantee of success.
David Schwimmer really is an excellent actor - can't tell you how many reactors I've seen who have had your reaction - they see him on screen and say "Ross!" but by the time he calls Malarkey "private bullshit" they're all in on him as Sobel.
It's an amazing series, one of the best. Can't wait to see what you think of it!
"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops," Eisenhower wrote. "My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."
General Dwight D. Eisenhower's other prepared speech. D-DAY was never a guarantee...
You are correct, it was one of the best planned invasions. However, on June 5th, 1944 planes were supposed to fly over and blow up the beach line clearing the bunkers in all German enemies. But the fog was so thick. The planes could not see the beach line so they just dropped the bombs when they felt they were close to the beach line. The bombs ended up landing a couple miles behind the beach line blowing up farmland. This is why storming the beaches of Normandy was so gruesome because we all thought it was clear when it actually wasn't hence the opening scene from Saving Private Ryan.
This is my favorite series by far. And I rewatch it a couple times a year. It’s has some tough scenes especially in episode 9.
As for the training route and ‘Currahea’ it’s a 12 mile route in total. 3 miles to get to the base of the mountain, 3 miles up, 3 miles down, 3 miles back to base. 3 miles equals 4.82KM. So 4.82KM up 4.28KM down. The total route is 19.31KM.
YES!! You read my mind. This will be a life changing journey.
I have seen this series literally about 50 times, and I never onced noticed Sobel's little nod when they started singing after he was chewing them out for puking etc. He knew he was building them up as a unit. Sobel trained them perfectly, he was just a terrible combat Officer. Operation Fortitude was the deception plan they used to throw the German's completely off regarding this invasion. Really fascinating stuff.
22:06 CPT Sobel actually did make the combat jump into Normandy on D-Day and assembled a group of other paratroopers and destroyed a German machine gun nest. He just wasn’t part of E company anymore
Awesome you are taking this Journey. Best mini series ever in my opinion.
An no worries about knowledge of WW2. You will get an education right right here. Ask questions if need be. You will definitely get an answer.
Most of these actors were relatively unknown when this movie was made. Captain Dale Dye not only acted in this movie, he is also a former Marine and technical advisor on many military movies, including this one. Before the production started he put the actors through a mini boot camp to prepare them for the movie. Because of this movie several of these actors went on to do the voices for some of the characters in one of the Call of Duty games.
He plays another guy in Saving Private Ryan
Yea I couldn't get over Ross being the instructor 😂
Amazing series... so brilliant and moving (from the opening credits you know it is first-rate). I have watched it many times and it always makes a huge impact on me.