Blu-Ray Review: Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers
Based on the novel by Stephen Ambrose
Starring:  Kirk Acevedo, Eion Bailey, Michael Cudlitz, Dale Dye, Rick Gomez, Scott Grimes, Colin Hanks, Frank Join Hughes, Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, James Madio, Neal McDonough, David Schwimmer, Matthew Settle, Douglas Spain, James Speight, Jr., and Donnie Wahlberg,

Special Features:  80 Minute Documentary "We Stand Alone Together: The Men of Easy Company," 30-Minute "Making of Band of Brothers" Featurette, The Premiere in Normandy, Picture in Picture Commentary In The Words of Easy Company, and an Interactive Field Guide In The Field with the Men of Easy Company.

From the box:

Based on the bestseller by Stephen E. Ambrose, Band of Brothers tells the story of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army. Drawn from interviews with Easy Company, as well as soldiers' journals and letters, Band of Brothers chronicles the experiences of these men who knew extraordinary bravery and extraordinary fear. They were an elite rifle company parachuting into France early on D-Day morning, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge and capturing Hitler's Eagles Nest at Berchtesgaden. They were also a unit that suffered 150 Percent casualties, and whose lives became legend.

Now I know this isn't exactly the freshest Blu-ray release but in light of The Pacific wrapping up soon and the upcoming anniversary, I felt it was the perfect time to include a review on this beautiful mini-series.

The 10 Part HBO series won the Golden Globe (Best Miniseries or Movie Made for Television) and it is well deserved. I'd heard a lot about Band of Brothers, nearly universally good, but had never had the chance to see it myself. 

I am so glad I was able to finally see it because it is incredible.

I've never seen WWII presented in such away, both touching and terrifying.   It was eye opening.  A simply gorgeous telling of some incredible stories. These are heroes folks and you take this journey right along with them.

If The Pacific is half as good as this, and based on the previews I've seen it looks to be as good, I can't wait to start watching it.

Band of Brothers is full of brilliant, subtle, and nuanced performances from its cast.  People will shock you. David Schwimmer and Donnie Wahlberg come to mind. They're both exceptional. The writing is top notch.  It's the kind of perfect storytelling that is so sorely missed in theatrical films.  I felt honored just being able to experience it.

On Blu-ray, the series looks fantastic. There is a slight grain at times that only make it seem more authentic and the sound is just mind-blowing.   The set is a little light on features but what it does have is pretty great. Hearing and seeing the actual men from Easy Company talk about these events on commentaries that cover every episode is truly incredible. It's brings such clarity and revelation to the episodes.

HBO has made some pretty great films and series' over the years but Band of Brothers is certainly among their best. As The Pacific wraps up, do yourselves a favor and go back and revisit or see Band of Brothers for the first time.

Band of Brothers is available on Blu-ray and DVD now.