band of brothers
~ August 11, 2009 ~
~ AUGUST 11, 2009 ~
What is it about this television series that’s so great? Is it the terrifying depiction of combat — the most visceral and realistic I’ve ever seen on any type of screen? The depth of the characters, each with his own voluminous, real-life history? The strength of the acting and writing? The amazing art direction? The evocation of both the most thrilling and most brutal aspects of war? I don’t know, but what I do know is that Band of Brothers remains one of the best TV shows I’ve ever experienced. That it’s also one of the most authentic historical dramas ever filmed is just icing on the blood-red velvet cake.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t like war movies, or don’t care about World War II history. It’s impossible not to like BoB. When I watch this series, I wonder: why can’t other shows and movies get it as right as BoB? It was perfectly executed on every level, totally uncompromising in its ambitions. Yet its appeal is almost universal. It’s brilliant stuff — and I wish there were more like it. ∞