The 'best' WW2 TV series of all time 'too real' for veterans to watch

Once in a while a TV series so great comes along that it leaves everyone either in tears, disbelief or shock. Well, when it comes to Band of Brothers it evokes all of the mentioned emotions, and some more. The hit show, co-produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, has been widely praised as one of the best war dramas ever made.

Some even say it’s so realistic that it was “too much” for real-life veterans to watch. Based on the real-life story of ‘Easy Company’ during World War 2, Band of Brothers follows a group of American paratroopers from training through to the end of the war in Europe. The ten-part series first aired on HBO in 2001 and was based on the bestselling book by historian Stephen E. Ambrose.

With a huge budget and a level of detail rarely seen on TV at the time, the series was hailed for its accuracy, storytelling and powerful performances.

The creators spoke with surviving members of ‘Easy Company’ to ensure the events were portrayed as closely as possible.

Tom Hanks, who helped lead the project, admitted: “We had to condense down a vast number of characters, fold other people’s experiences into 10 or 15 people. But I still think it is three or four times more accurate than most films like this.”

The production team went to great lengths to get everything right, from the weapons and uniforms to the exact layout of battle scenes.

Many of the actors spoke with the real men they were portraying to better understand their experiences. Several veterans even visited the set.

Back in 2004, one viewer, who served in the military, wrote: “I am an 80-year-old combat veteran (88th Inf. Div. Italy). I watched Band of Brothers on the History Channel.

“I was so overwhelmed, indeed a bit panicked by the authentic nature of 90% of the uniforms, signs, and noises. I cried several times at the authentic staging, for them and me. I cannot believe I’ll watch it again. It’s too much. Too real.”

That reaction helps explain why the show is still regarded as one of the most powerful ever made.

Another viewer said: “Band of Brothers is absolutely one of the best miniseries of all-time, not only that but it's also among the very best war movies or TV shows ever created.”

A third person added: “There aren’t many TV series which have left such an impression on me as Band of Brothers did.”

A fourth commented: “Band of Brothers in a word is awesome. I couldn’t wait to see each episode. It has the realism, look and feel of Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan but with more insight into the characters.”

The series won seven Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and several other major honours.

It was even selected for a prestigious Peabody Award for its ability to tell real stories based on both history and memory.

Even decades after it aired, many still say it set the standard for how war stories should be told on screen.

Band of Brothers is available to buy on Prime Video or you can watch it on-demand through Sky Atlantic and Now TV.