Filmmaking at its Best
Because of a family emergency, I spent the last few days in Omaha, Nebraska. That gives me access to my dad’s library of World War II films. A couple of years ago, my sister gave him the special edition of “Band of Brothers,” the HBO miniseries based on the heroic group of men known as the 101st Airborne.
There is graphic violence and a lot of language, but in my humble opinion, it is an example of filmmaking at its finest. Admittedly, the writers had amazing material to begin with, but what they did with it is nothing short of masterful.
I’m usually multi-tasking when I’m watching a DVD or television program. I might be making travel arrangements, washing dishes, or flipping through a magazine. I couldn’t do any of those - I was fully engaged in the events unfolding onscreen.
The stories were woven together skillfully, and I walked away remembering more facts about that war than from any history class I ever attended. The cinematography is breath-taking in the power of the camera to make you feel like you’re right in the midst of the action.
Because it was a miniseries, there was ample time to fully develop the characters, and the writers didn’t miss a beat with it. Each segment is narrated by a different character, and even those choices enhanced the film.
Adding to the effectiveness of the story were the interview segments shown just before each section. They were with the men whose stories were the basis for the book and the movie, and it was only at the end of the set that their identities were revealed. However, because the characters had been drawn so finely, we knew who each person was.
Normally, I’m not someone to recommend violent films, but I cannot say enough about this series. If you’re a filmmaker and want to know how to tell a gripping story, or how to direct effectively, or how to write an enthralling screenplay, you should own a copy of this series. Put aside any personal issues with violence and language and allow the power of story to grip you.
If we can tell stories like this, we can reach the world with our films.
