Band of Brothers TV Series - Really Worth the Expense?

Feb 10
08:18

2011

Craig Thornburrow

Craig Thornburrow

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Historically accurate, to a point, the Band of Brothers TV series was more than just a single battle depicted on the screen; it followed a group of men who would go on to become soldiers and then to become more to one another.

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Executive producers Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks brought the World War II book “Band of Brothers”,Band of Brothers TV Series - Really Worth the Expense? Articles to life on the small screen with a ten episode TV series known as Band of Brothers TV series. It was originally shown on HBO.

There was no doubt that the Band of Brothers series would have a solid budget, but there was still shock that it would end up being one of the most expensive miniseries ever made by the major networks. After its original run ended, the show was picked up by the BBC and several others for further runs.

Unlike other types of war pictures to date, the Band of Brothers TV series focused on a group of men and what happened with them through their training and the war, rather than on a single battle. Meant to be historically as accurate as possible, the show did change a few facts to aid the flow in action and for dramatic effect. Rather than having one single star, the show was made of an ensemble cast including actors who played bit parts and were mostly not credited on the screen. Some actors would come in to play a role on the show, die in battle and that would be the end.

Stephen E. Ambrose, the writer of the book on which the show was based, interviewed many of the men and helped the producers to make sure that the Band of Brothers series was as accurate as possible. The filming for the series was done in various locations in Europe including England and Switzerland. The first of the episodes aired in September 2001 with the last shown in November. It has been shown several times in various venues and some of the budgeting that was done for the miniseries included extra money for promotional considerations.

The estimated budget for these series was way lower than the final tally of $125 million, or $12.5 million per episode. The additional money for promotional campaigns was slightly higher than the per episode amount at $15 million. Part of that money was made back for the executive producers when the series was purchased, first by the BBC and then by others for rebroadcast.

Whether you are interested in seeing a historically accurate but still exciting miniseries about World War II or you follow all of the works of Spielberg, the Band of Brothers TV series is fascinating work that really allows you to see how a group of men who barely know one another can truly become a band of brothers.