Before
reading this entry, a person probably ought to read the entry for
Saving Private Ryan. This film isn't revolutionary in being highly
materially accurate, as it followed in the wake of Saving Private Ryan
which was revolutionary in those regards. Still, this movie not only met
the standard (which isn't surprising given the involvement of the same
people) but it mastered them. This includes odd material details,
such as German horse usage, which is typically omitted from World War
Two movies.
The film is of course based on the work of straight history by Ambrose, and it covers it very well, even including some things that were omitted in the book. It undoubtedly stands as the most accurate single work on World War Two in Europe by leagues, and is a monument to both the American Army of World War Two and to this genera of film. If a person was to see only one movie about the war in Europe (which would be a mistake), and if you wanted that movie to depict an American topic, this would be it. And if a person is doing a study of films on the war that portray it accurately, this is a must see.
Postcript
I just noted in my review of Battleground that I was going to review this, and going back and looking at my earlier entries on "Movies In History", I saw that I already had.
I"m actually suprised to see how short this entry was, as this is such a major cinematic work. but the summation is a good one. This film surpasses any other in historical accuracy and accuracy of material details. It's excellent.
Indeed, in thinking about it, it occurs its so excellent that it might slightly skew the field in some ways. Taking one single company of the 101st Airborne, the movie might properly be viewed in context as representative of about any American infantry company of the war. I think it is generally viewed that way, but the fact that the film portrays paratroopers of the 101st Airborne, and is a true story, has caused a degree of over focus on this particular company in this particular division. The title said it well, Band of Brothers, but it's important to note that the same could be said of about any single ground combat unit of the US Army during the war, and the fact that this story is focused on this particular unit doesn't mean that this particular unit was truly unique. As the only film following an American Army infantry unit from training all the way through past the German surrender, the film is not only excellent, but probably best regarded as representative of the entire class of American soldier during the war.
Again, excellent by any measure.
The film is of course based on the work of straight history by Ambrose, and it covers it very well, even including some things that were omitted in the book. It undoubtedly stands as the most accurate single work on World War Two in Europe by leagues, and is a monument to both the American Army of World War Two and to this genera of film. If a person was to see only one movie about the war in Europe (which would be a mistake), and if you wanted that movie to depict an American topic, this would be it. And if a person is doing a study of films on the war that portray it accurately, this is a must see.
Postcript
I just noted in my review of Battleground that I was going to review this, and going back and looking at my earlier entries on "Movies In History", I saw that I already had.
I"m actually suprised to see how short this entry was, as this is such a major cinematic work. but the summation is a good one. This film surpasses any other in historical accuracy and accuracy of material details. It's excellent.
Indeed, in thinking about it, it occurs its so excellent that it might slightly skew the field in some ways. Taking one single company of the 101st Airborne, the movie might properly be viewed in context as representative of about any American infantry company of the war. I think it is generally viewed that way, but the fact that the film portrays paratroopers of the 101st Airborne, and is a true story, has caused a degree of over focus on this particular company in this particular division. The title said it well, Band of Brothers, but it's important to note that the same could be said of about any single ground combat unit of the US Army during the war, and the fact that this story is focused on this particular unit doesn't mean that this particular unit was truly unique. As the only film following an American Army infantry unit from training all the way through past the German surrender, the film is not only excellent, but probably best regarded as representative of the entire class of American soldier during the war.
Again, excellent by any measure.
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