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2009-08-04 05:39:40
44 votes, rating 3.2
44 votes, rating 3.2
Band of Brothers
Band of Brothers should be required reading/watching for Americans.just to see what true sacrifice is. The conditions that Allied forces fought and won in would make today's all too squeamish society cry out for "exit strategies". The commentary of the vets that survived is sad and uplifting. Hearing them talk with regret about killing people that tried to kill them gives me hope. Reading how they and other allied forces reacted to concentration camps gives me great pride.
The USA has far too many people looking for hand outs and asking what the government can give them and not enough people looking to do for themselves.
The USA has far too many people looking for hand outs and asking what the government can give them and not enough people looking to do for themselves.
Comments
Posted by Sputnik127 on 2009-08-04 06:14:40
You can't get away from this tripe even on Bloodbowl.
Posted by Meech on 2009-08-04 06:20:42
How is what I posted tripe? The irony being your post is actually the "tripe".
Posted by Jarvis555 on 2009-08-04 08:58:48
Band Of Brothers is awesome
Posted by Archevol on 2009-08-04 10:19:44
Great piece of fiction. Phenomenal soldiers they were, but incorrectly credited by Ambrose with taking Hitler's Eagle's Nest, among other significant inaccuracies with their achievements (doesn't take away from the fact that they are the most decorated US outfit in history).
It was the U.S. Army's 3rd Division's 7th Regiment that took it. The 101st were the first to garrison it, or the 'first US tourists' as they've been called.
If you're going to cite a war show to watch, go with Generation X IMO.
Dexter, Burn Notice and Reaper are the best US exported shows! 8)
It was the U.S. Army's 3rd Division's 7th Regiment that took it. The 101st were the first to garrison it, or the 'first US tourists' as they've been called.
If you're going to cite a war show to watch, go with Generation X IMO.
Dexter, Burn Notice and Reaper are the best US exported shows! 8)
Posted by pythrr on 2009-08-04 10:32:54
Agreed. Meech is right. STFU Sputnik. And I'm not even an American.
Archevol - if you watch the series, that's exactly what the 101st do. They are not seen fighting at the Eagle's nest. They just turn up.
Archevol - if you watch the series, that's exactly what the 101st do. They are not seen fighting at the Eagle's nest. They just turn up.
Posted by Archevol on 2009-08-04 10:34:44
Doesn't take away from your other comments. I used to write about military history for a living, and some of the stuff that used to pass my desk left me feeling totally desolated.
Posted by PurpleChest on 2009-08-04 10:44:30
A lot of friends of mine were in the cast for this excellent show. It is little known that most of the American soldiers were played by Brits.
The show is a fine example of great quality television, well scripted, acted and shot.
It does substancially ignore the other aliies, and often portrays the far more battle hardened british forces as stupid, but then it was largely based on one mans version of events and he was american.
Doesnt stop it being excellent television all around though.
The show is a fine example of great quality television, well scripted, acted and shot.
It does substancially ignore the other aliies, and often portrays the far more battle hardened british forces as stupid, but then it was largely based on one mans version of events and he was american.
Doesnt stop it being excellent television all around though.
Posted by pythrr on 2009-08-04 10:50:33
Yup, damn fine work all around. And like Meech, I loved the VETs talking.
About a year after watching it, my ex and I visited Bastoigne, and while we were there there was a US vet showing his two grandsons around. Listening to him at the museum and then the memorial (we kinda followed him) was really moving. Made my ex cry, but she is a bit like that.
About a year after watching it, my ex and I visited Bastoigne, and while we were there there was a US vet showing his two grandsons around. Listening to him at the museum and then the memorial (we kinda followed him) was really moving. Made my ex cry, but she is a bit like that.
Posted by def909 on 2009-08-04 13:44:33
Great war-soap... oh wait... not really. Historically inaccurate and trivial entertainment imho...
Posted by Pirog on 2009-08-04 14:17:13
War really hasn't changed much. It was the poor and young that was sent out to die then as it is today and some of them are/were fantastic people while others are/were bad people.
As for Band of Brothers it's a really well made series, but you would have to be a pretty die hard patriot not to acknowledge that it is far more of a tribute than an objective depiction of how the war was fought.
As for the concentration camps it is allready known that western governments knew about them for quite a long time and didn't react to it much. That's not to say that the people on the ground weren't horrified though.
Personally I prefer series like Generation Kill. It feels far more realistic.
As for Band of Brothers it's a really well made series, but you would have to be a pretty die hard patriot not to acknowledge that it is far more of a tribute than an objective depiction of how the war was fought.
As for the concentration camps it is allready known that western governments knew about them for quite a long time and didn't react to it much. That's not to say that the people on the ground weren't horrified though.
Personally I prefer series like Generation Kill. It feels far more realistic.
Posted by SillySod on 2009-08-04 15:04:08
Wheres the picture of the band of brothers complaining about shadow?
I feel cheated.
I feel cheated.
Posted by Meech on 2009-08-04 18:22:11
For the people that say it is inaccurate, remember this wasn't supposed to be a historical re-enactment. It is a story told through the eyes and ears of the men of Easy Company.
Yes, it was slanted to an American point of view. The only real interaction with the Brits that I can remember was in Nuenen. (When the tank commander wouldn't fire through a building. In Winters book he pointed out that even if he had fired through the building it may not have taken the other tank out and the outcome of the day probably would have been the same)
Yes, it was slanted to an American point of view. The only real interaction with the Brits that I can remember was in Nuenen. (When the tank commander wouldn't fire through a building. In Winters book he pointed out that even if he had fired through the building it may not have taken the other tank out and the outcome of the day probably would have been the same)
Posted by RC on 2009-08-04 19:00:29
Good. Now watch Generation Kill.
Posted by Gromrilram on 2009-08-04 20:08:48
first of all, i havent seen it.
second, i am not american, nor from a country that was part of the allies, in fact, i am german.
that said, i dont see a reason why it should be require for americans more or less than for other nations. it somehow looks like america likes its role as the guy who does what nees to be done, and even if the others disagree, in the end they will be thankful.
that changes nothing about history, it doesnt make "Hearing them talk with regret about killing people that tried to kill them" less impressive, as it shows their own humanity in the face of the bare opposite. set up memorials for that generation, memorials in stone, mind, media, everything. but please, let it be memorials for humanity, that manifested so strong within those people, and not for the role of a nation.
second, i am not american, nor from a country that was part of the allies, in fact, i am german.
that said, i dont see a reason why it should be require for americans more or less than for other nations. it somehow looks like america likes its role as the guy who does what nees to be done, and even if the others disagree, in the end they will be thankful.
that changes nothing about history, it doesnt make "Hearing them talk with regret about killing people that tried to kill them" less impressive, as it shows their own humanity in the face of the bare opposite. set up memorials for that generation, memorials in stone, mind, media, everything. but please, let it be memorials for humanity, that manifested so strong within those people, and not for the role of a nation.
Posted by Catalyst32 on 2009-08-04 20:23:39
Love the series.
It shows more accurately than most war movies that REAL HEROES aren't some kind of superman they are regular people that will not give up. REAL HEROES don't ask to be Heroes, don't think of themselves as Heroes, they just happen to rise to the challenge of the circumstance rather than run from it.
It's not about American Patriotism even though the story depicts Anerican soldiers. It is about the Human Spirit and Will. There are stories like this from everywhere in the world. Easy Company just happened to have several stories like this and the producers (Tom Hanks and Steven Spielburg) realized that these Heroes were still among the living and their own words could be used to tell this story.
Their is no more realistic war series or movie (though admittedly I have not seen "Iwo Jima" which I hear is good). When I say realistic I do not mean the horrors of war, showing blood and guts scattered everywhere. I mean it takes an honest look at the individuals involved and lets you judge them for yourself. There is no swelling patriotic music, or dark forboding Peter and the Wolf like themes to color your imagination. It is presented straight forward with no editorial coloring or manipulation.
It's worth the time it takes to see it.
It shows more accurately than most war movies that REAL HEROES aren't some kind of superman they are regular people that will not give up. REAL HEROES don't ask to be Heroes, don't think of themselves as Heroes, they just happen to rise to the challenge of the circumstance rather than run from it.
It's not about American Patriotism even though the story depicts Anerican soldiers. It is about the Human Spirit and Will. There are stories like this from everywhere in the world. Easy Company just happened to have several stories like this and the producers (Tom Hanks and Steven Spielburg) realized that these Heroes were still among the living and their own words could be used to tell this story.
Their is no more realistic war series or movie (though admittedly I have not seen "Iwo Jima" which I hear is good). When I say realistic I do not mean the horrors of war, showing blood and guts scattered everywhere. I mean it takes an honest look at the individuals involved and lets you judge them for yourself. There is no swelling patriotic music, or dark forboding Peter and the Wolf like themes to color your imagination. It is presented straight forward with no editorial coloring or manipulation.
It's worth the time it takes to see it.
Posted by pythrr on 2009-08-04 21:01:32
Nice comments catalyst.
And see "Letter from Iwo Jima" and "Flags of our fathers" together. They are a wonderful pairing and make a decent (if not entirely successful) attempt to show both sides of that bloody thing called war.
And just before anyone calls me a peace-toting hippy, let's just say I agree entirely with the following:
Carl von Clausewitz sharpened the point: "The fact that slaughter is a horrifying spectacle must make us take war more seriously, but not provide an excuse for gradually blunting our swords in the name of humanity. Sooner or later someone will come along with a sharp sword and hack off our arms."
And see "Letter from Iwo Jima" and "Flags of our fathers" together. They are a wonderful pairing and make a decent (if not entirely successful) attempt to show both sides of that bloody thing called war.
And just before anyone calls me a peace-toting hippy, let's just say I agree entirely with the following:
Carl von Clausewitz sharpened the point: "The fact that slaughter is a horrifying spectacle must make us take war more seriously, but not provide an excuse for gradually blunting our swords in the name of humanity. Sooner or later someone will come along with a sharp sword and hack off our arms."
Posted by Gromrilram on 2009-08-04 21:29:10
peace-toting hippy
Posted by pythrr on 2009-08-04 22:55:38
war-mongering facist!
invade poland already!
;)
invade poland already!
;)
Posted by Mr_Foulscumm on 2009-08-04 23:47:39
War sucks
Posted by entellus on 2009-08-05 03:38:37
Excellent thoughts. im glad some one out there sees what it means to be an american and the sacrifices that people go though to allow us to live each day the way we do. and see the sacrifices people make just so some one can bitch on their porch about government and do nothing all day to help themselves
Posted by Archevol on 2009-08-05 17:53:19
Entellus: yes and no? Obviously, the US army consists of the world's bravest men. America does have a patent on bravery, after all (it's what makes them different). It matches the patent that an American has on the Moon...
Comedy aside, I personally think that reading some of the autobiographies from the Middle East campaigns (Afghanistan and Iraq, et al) are the most pertinent views of war as it is today. Reading about what some of the mercenaries did - in their own words - is chillingly real, and it also underlines why the US and UK in particular are widely reviled in the region (I'm English - and proud to be so - btw).
Modern war is slow, savage,and never ends in peace. It is full of evil and stupid men acting on behalf of distant politicians able to cover up what they've done, particularly when they're winning. I just don't see any point in romanticising any aspect of it (and yes, seeing brave innocent men die is both tragic AND romantic).
One of my very best friends returned late last year from a posting in Iraq (Pigstar-69 met him recently). He said that the UK soldiers just didn't feel like there was a reason for being there, while the US soldiers just drove around and never got out of their trucks. War nowadays is distant, cold and clinical, and doesn't resolve any lasting peace.
Still doesn't take away from Meech's very pertinent comments about society.
Comedy aside, I personally think that reading some of the autobiographies from the Middle East campaigns (Afghanistan and Iraq, et al) are the most pertinent views of war as it is today. Reading about what some of the mercenaries did - in their own words - is chillingly real, and it also underlines why the US and UK in particular are widely reviled in the region (I'm English - and proud to be so - btw).
Modern war is slow, savage,and never ends in peace. It is full of evil and stupid men acting on behalf of distant politicians able to cover up what they've done, particularly when they're winning. I just don't see any point in romanticising any aspect of it (and yes, seeing brave innocent men die is both tragic AND romantic).
One of my very best friends returned late last year from a posting in Iraq (Pigstar-69 met him recently). He said that the UK soldiers just didn't feel like there was a reason for being there, while the US soldiers just drove around and never got out of their trucks. War nowadays is distant, cold and clinical, and doesn't resolve any lasting peace.
Still doesn't take away from Meech's very pertinent comments about society.