November 11th.

Colio · 03-10-2005, 10:39 AM

Im in quite a grateful mood today.

I spent the last week watching the full series of Band of Brothers.

My god, what a story.

For those not in the know, its the stories of the American Paratroopers 101st, and the trials and tribulations of Easy Company.

Now before anyone points out the obvious. Yes its a cinematised version of events, and I largely accept to be a degree of artistic license.

I know that already.

What I watched and what I saw were two different things.

The facts behind the series could be questionable, Im no authority on the goings on, so I cant say with any certainty what happened and what didnt happen.

What I saw however was how these people changed over the course of the war, the imagery that they undoubtedly saw, the decisions they have to make, the effort they put in.

Sure this was only one companys take on the war, some of it perhaps biased. However, I think the whole part can be attributed to all areas of the war, the allies, the axis and so on.

At the end, I felt really touched. I mean I had a lump in my damn throat. I felt quite emotional.

I think then I began to understand the whole meaning of armistice day, ve day, vj day.

Sure Im no ignoramus. I've known and respected the fact that these people fought and died for us.

But only now do I realise how difficult it must have been and the selfless acts that some of these people must have made to ensure that we won the war and ultimately my and your freedom.

I urge anyone to doubt the validity of the war or the people involved to watch the series.

Like I say, I dont know if hte missions went as stated, or if certain aspects happened, I believe they did, but I cant state it as fact.

But even if the producers and actors, touched on a fraction of the events and emotions of the real war, then its worth taking your time to show your respects.

I will be paying my respects as normal, only this time, I'll be more educated as to the trials and tribulations of war.

Books may have given the details already, I've even read band of brothers, by stephen ambrose, but that never hit me as hard as the series.

It adds realism to the words in books, a realism that hasnt really been felt. Saving private ryan touched on that, but everyone has discounted most of that film as being fiction.

If you have no respect for the dead on november 11th, then I encourage you to watch the series and I challenge you to remain as uncompassionate.

My resolve to learn more about the feats of those during the war has increased.

as has my respect for those brave men and women on all sides during hte conflict.

Nathan · 03-10-2005, 10:54 AM

Agreed, great series, even though I have no real interest in the war I appreciate the level of effort taken to make the series and I respect the efforts of the people during the events on which the series was based.

However what I dont agree with is the damn paragraph every sentence making it a real biatch to read what you type. Is that intentional or does the browser you use double carriage return everytime or summat?

Gaza · 03-10-2005, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colio

I spent the last week watching the full series of Band of Brothers.

I did it in a day and a half, tried to watch it all in one day but it was just too much war for one day.

Vale · 03-10-2005, 11:37 AM

Watched the origional tele broadcast.. and then bought the box set. I have watched it 4 times since and its simply my most loved piece of film.. Like yourself Colio I have always marked Nov11th and always felt a massive amount of respect for those normal people doing unnormal things. (I used to go to Nov11th memorial events with my grandfather, who sadly died 4 years ago now, he spent his entire career life in the RAF and always taught me about WW2)

For those that don't know much about WW2. BanbofBrothers (BoB) will very graphically illustrate the sacrifices made.. Even with the artistic licence it shows how horrid conditions where physically and mentally. I've always wondered how our generation would meet the same challenges? I doubt with the same lack of selflessness.

Never forget.

Colio · 03-10-2005, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan

However what I dont agree with is the damn paragraph every sentence making it a real biatch to read what you type. Is that intentional or does the browser you use double carriage return everytime or summat?

LOL..

I have a go at people for not using the carriage return enough...and I use it too much.

Gaza, most definately. While the content is interesting enough, too much blood, guts , suffering takes it toll on anyone watching. Imagine if you saw it live on a day to day basis though!

Vale. I just dont think I had the commitment of respect before, its taken this series to really open my eyes and I hold the guys of the war in so much splendour.

I loved the quote by Richard Winters.

"My grandson asked me "Grandpa , were you a hero?, no I said, I was part of a company of heroes"

Gaza · 01-11-2005, 08:45 PM

Wahey, finally saved up and bought the box set for myself, and have watched it twice this week. I love this series so much, I cant say I enjoy watching it, like it gets to you quite a lot and can be pretty upsetting, but I'll keep watching it again and again.

I think the greatest part about it though, is the interviews with the surviving members, it's really nice to like hear the actual people talk about it, and Bill Gaurnear is EXCACTLY like the guy who plays him, it's pretty funny.

Watched all the extras aswell, like nearly half of the main characters in it are English aswell, including Winters.

Blip · 01-11-2005, 11:22 PM

i tried to get dvd box set eons ago but couldent get a copy saw it on tele and the repeats is a touching series.

If you really want to take in how these ppl fought for our freedom go visit the war graves in france really does make you realise howmany ppllia down their lives for us.

Teddy · 02-11-2005, 11:39 AM

An awesome series and very hard hitting. the hardest bits are when guys get killed as you know its pretty much how it happened.
Adding the real people made it that much more of a series too.

The 2nd from last episode is probably the toughest to watch, I did actually feel slight sick afterwards.

^SwITcH^ · 02-11-2005, 11:52 AM

It's so moving because you feel some attachment to the guys as you watch them progress through it. Like you say Teddy - that second to last one is hard to watch and even the last one you can't help feeling something else is going to happen if just to shock you.

Colio · 04-11-2005, 03:39 PM

the directors of the series, deserve an honourable mention for giving us this semi-realistic time machine.

like I say, come nov 11th, I'll be bowing my head with much greater respect for these people.

ShoX · 04-11-2005, 04:02 PM

I'll take that off your hands Gaz

Btw, how did it go? PM me you slacker!