Having gone through army basic training in the mid-60's, when the Vietnam War was really starting to heat up and escalate, I can definitely relate to "Currahee". This was not basic training of course, the soldiers had already gone through that. My basic training was only 8 weeks, but I think during WW II basic training was 12 weeks. The training here in "Currahee" was advanced infantry training (AIT), which is a more specialized training, in this case airborne. There have been some comments made about Capt. Sobel. Well, there were officers and non-coms like Capt. Sobel in my day, and no doubt ever since Revolutionary times and after my service time. Let's face it, sometimes even cowards or near-cowards can be found in the officer ranks. Having a Capt. Sobel in this series makes it even more realistic and believable. I am just now watching this series for the first time, and I find it to be interesting and believable.
23 Reviews
Band Holds Up After 16 Years
Miles-1027 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
When I first saw this series, I was only aware of David Schwimmer and maybe Donnie Wahlberg. Now I can't see it without being aware of how many of the actors have gone on to distinguished acting careers. Having said that, all of the actors, whether in small or large parts, do very well. Even Colonel Sink, who is played by a real life military officer, is solid in his performance.
David Schwimmer has the toughest role to play in this first episode. His character, Captain Sobel, feels - we might think it is because he is conscious of his Jewishness - that he must work his men harder than the other company commanders so that he is recognized as a worthy officer. Unfortunately, his insecurity makes him a vacillating field commander. While some recognize that he has trained his men to be tougher than any other unit, his men both resent his martinet style and are disturbed by his inability to lead in the field. They are genuinely afraid that he will get his men killed.
His sergeants risk being executed by mutinying against him. In a way, they do act dishonorably. If their actions had not led Colonel Sink to realize that Sobel is a walking morale problem who needs to be relieved of his command, the sergeants being transferred to better led units would have abandoned the rest of the men of E Company to meet their fates with Sobel.
My favorite sequence - not a happy one - is when Lt. Winters first sees the sergeants leaving headquarters after they have been dressed down and reassigned. They salute Winters (they respect him to the same degree that they do not respect Sobel), and he returns their salutes. He knows something is up, but the sergeants kept him out of the loop, so he doesn't know what just happened. A little later, Winters sees Capt. Sobel being driven away in a jeep right after he has been transferred in a wrenching scene. (Sobel squirms as he unconvincingly tries to explain to Col. Sink why his entire staff of non- commissioned officers mutinied against him.) Winters salutes Sobel in the jeep. Whatever Winters thinks of him, Sobel is still his commanding officer - or so Winters still believes. Yet Sobel doesn't return the salute, may not even see Winters. Winters again senses that something is up, but, again, he doesn't know what. (You can read so much that isn't explicitly stated just from the acting - that is a sign of the quality in this production.)
This is a good start for a series that I have not seen since it originally appeared on HBO sixteen years ago. I want to watch the rest of it and intend to do so. This is in contrast to the same production team's sequel effort "The Pacific", the first episode of which I remember watching, again on HBO, and quickly resolving that I would not watch the rest of that series.
David Schwimmer has the toughest role to play in this first episode. His character, Captain Sobel, feels - we might think it is because he is conscious of his Jewishness - that he must work his men harder than the other company commanders so that he is recognized as a worthy officer. Unfortunately, his insecurity makes him a vacillating field commander. While some recognize that he has trained his men to be tougher than any other unit, his men both resent his martinet style and are disturbed by his inability to lead in the field. They are genuinely afraid that he will get his men killed.
His sergeants risk being executed by mutinying against him. In a way, they do act dishonorably. If their actions had not led Colonel Sink to realize that Sobel is a walking morale problem who needs to be relieved of his command, the sergeants being transferred to better led units would have abandoned the rest of the men of E Company to meet their fates with Sobel.
My favorite sequence - not a happy one - is when Lt. Winters first sees the sergeants leaving headquarters after they have been dressed down and reassigned. They salute Winters (they respect him to the same degree that they do not respect Sobel), and he returns their salutes. He knows something is up, but the sergeants kept him out of the loop, so he doesn't know what just happened. A little later, Winters sees Capt. Sobel being driven away in a jeep right after he has been transferred in a wrenching scene. (Sobel squirms as he unconvincingly tries to explain to Col. Sink why his entire staff of non- commissioned officers mutinied against him.) Winters salutes Sobel in the jeep. Whatever Winters thinks of him, Sobel is still his commanding officer - or so Winters still believes. Yet Sobel doesn't return the salute, may not even see Winters. Winters again senses that something is up, but, again, he doesn't know what. (You can read so much that isn't explicitly stated just from the acting - that is a sign of the quality in this production.)
This is a good start for a series that I have not seen since it originally appeared on HBO sixteen years ago. I want to watch the rest of it and intend to do so. This is in contrast to the same production team's sequel effort "The Pacific", the first episode of which I remember watching, again on HBO, and quickly resolving that I would not watch the rest of that series.
Powerful Series!
g-bodyl15 September 2013
The HBO miniseries, "Band of Brothers" is a powerful, true story based of the events of World War 2 in Europe. This first episode is very meaningful and it filled seep with emotion. There is really no action here yet because we are in the stages of training, but it's deep with characterization as we get to know the members of Easy Company.
This first episode, "Currahee" is about the rigid training under the difficult command of Lt. Sobel. As Easy Company heads to England to prepare invasion of Germany, the sergeants decide to get rid of Sobel and his hard ways. No one feels more than that than Sgt. Winters.
Overall, this is a majestic episode that works some wonders thanks to the masterful direction by Phil Alden Robinson, some wonderful producers in Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, great acting by the cast especially Damian Lewis, and great music/cinematography. I rate this episode 9/10.
This first episode, "Currahee" is about the rigid training under the difficult command of Lt. Sobel. As Easy Company heads to England to prepare invasion of Germany, the sergeants decide to get rid of Sobel and his hard ways. No one feels more than that than Sgt. Winters.
Overall, this is a majestic episode that works some wonders thanks to the masterful direction by Phil Alden Robinson, some wonderful producers in Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, great acting by the cast especially Damian Lewis, and great music/cinematography. I rate this episode 9/10.
"Currahee" is a strong series premiere with excellent performances and production values
TheDearHunter187821 April 2018
When it completed its brief run on HBO during the fall of 2001, Band of Brothers was viewed by many as a hallmark for television in terms of production values. Its success arguably paved the way for the network's future successes, with expensive productions like Rome and Game of Thrones proving worthy of investment. Band of Brothers showcased that, given the right amount of money and talent, anything could happen on television. The possibilities were suddenly endless. This mindset put into a motion a stunning improvement regarding attention to detail from networks, especially those on basic cable, who decided that showing audiences serious drama over programs written with half the effort merely because the television medium had not effectively championed film, was in fact necessary to launch the industry into a new age of quality storytelling that it so desperately needed.
Modern television evolved from five shows: Twin Peaks in 1990, which began the water cooler effect (for those unfamiliar with the term, it refers to employees at a workplace gathering around the office water cooler to discuss the shocking developments of the previous night's episode, accompanied with story predictions and personal opinions); The Sopranos in 1999, which gave audiences and, more importantly, networks, a sense of what television could be if taken seriously; Band of Brothers in 2001, which visualized the budget and ambition needed to progress the medium into a deeper sense of reality rather than possibilities; Lost in 2004, which solidified the format of a serialized drama quite like no other series before it, perhaps maybe other than Twin Peaks; and, finally, Mad Men in 2007. Mad Men used Lost's serialized nature on a more personal level. That led to AMC greenlighting Breaking Bad. As everyone knows, Vince Gilligan's engrossing series about an overqualified high school chemistry teacher entering the drug trade kicked off the "current" wave of television program: the "New Golden Age."
It's impossible to discuss Band of Brothers' premiere episode without first discussing the crucial facts surrounding the medium's recent history. Without this show, television would be a very different place. Therefore, after nearly two decades, Band of Brothers has remained highly regarded among film and television enthusiasts. It had a whopping budget of $125 million for a single season, with each episode costing approximately $12.5 million, and because it had two great minds behind it, there was little that could go wrong; even if the series did flop, which was unlikely, it would be a lesson learned for television, much like the grave warning of executive interference brought forth in the second season of the aforementioned Twin Peaks.
So, is "Currahee" a remarkable episode? This is probably the most basic chapter of the series, which is saying a lot, given how close one feels to the characters shown here for a mere hour. David Schwimmer plays Captain Hebert Sobel to perfection. He is a tough individual, for sure, but is slightly challenged when placed outside of his controlled environment. Nevertheless, as evidenced in the opening minutes of "Currahee," the company benefited tremendously from his hardline policies and strict personality: without Sobel, the company would be unprepared to jump for D-Day. As the episode progresses, it becomes evident that this is what Sobel had been preparing the company for, but the growing resistance to his methods also proved that he wasn't a capable leader in every regard, as he had little admiration, and hardly any sincere respect.
David Schwimmer isn't alone in his acting chops. We also receive fine performances from Damian Lewis, who plays the main character of the series, Richard "Dick" Winters, and from Ron Livingston, who plays his best friend and frequent confidant, Captain Lewis Nixon. The cinematography of "Currahee" is something to behold as well, especially when it comes to what television has offered as the status quo in the past. The musical score is brilliant as well. With those things in mind, the closing shots of this episode will send goosebumps tingling down the spine, so be prepared.
So, while "Currahee" isn't some grand spectacle, it is certainly a great way to kick things off. It has several excellent moments of character development. The interactions between Winters and Sobel are especially noteworthy. Keep an eye out for Winters dissing Sobel by not looking at him during a Currahee run. Sobel scoffs at first as Winters ignores his superior (Sobel is under the impression that the two have some sort of friendship built out of respect), but then nods in understanding, plays it cool, and rejoins the group. The tensions between the two sees a zenith of sorts as Sobel tries to turn Winters' own men against him. You'll get no spoilers here; you'll have to see what resolution unfolds, if any, because of Sobel's personality and leadership quarrels. Dialogue is a strong suit for this show too. "Currahee" sports a fine amount of solid writing. With these things in mind, hopefully those who are turned off by the slow and deliberate pace of this episode won't dismiss the series altogether.
Modern television evolved from five shows: Twin Peaks in 1990, which began the water cooler effect (for those unfamiliar with the term, it refers to employees at a workplace gathering around the office water cooler to discuss the shocking developments of the previous night's episode, accompanied with story predictions and personal opinions); The Sopranos in 1999, which gave audiences and, more importantly, networks, a sense of what television could be if taken seriously; Band of Brothers in 2001, which visualized the budget and ambition needed to progress the medium into a deeper sense of reality rather than possibilities; Lost in 2004, which solidified the format of a serialized drama quite like no other series before it, perhaps maybe other than Twin Peaks; and, finally, Mad Men in 2007. Mad Men used Lost's serialized nature on a more personal level. That led to AMC greenlighting Breaking Bad. As everyone knows, Vince Gilligan's engrossing series about an overqualified high school chemistry teacher entering the drug trade kicked off the "current" wave of television program: the "New Golden Age."
It's impossible to discuss Band of Brothers' premiere episode without first discussing the crucial facts surrounding the medium's recent history. Without this show, television would be a very different place. Therefore, after nearly two decades, Band of Brothers has remained highly regarded among film and television enthusiasts. It had a whopping budget of $125 million for a single season, with each episode costing approximately $12.5 million, and because it had two great minds behind it, there was little that could go wrong; even if the series did flop, which was unlikely, it would be a lesson learned for television, much like the grave warning of executive interference brought forth in the second season of the aforementioned Twin Peaks.
So, is "Currahee" a remarkable episode? This is probably the most basic chapter of the series, which is saying a lot, given how close one feels to the characters shown here for a mere hour. David Schwimmer plays Captain Hebert Sobel to perfection. He is a tough individual, for sure, but is slightly challenged when placed outside of his controlled environment. Nevertheless, as evidenced in the opening minutes of "Currahee," the company benefited tremendously from his hardline policies and strict personality: without Sobel, the company would be unprepared to jump for D-Day. As the episode progresses, it becomes evident that this is what Sobel had been preparing the company for, but the growing resistance to his methods also proved that he wasn't a capable leader in every regard, as he had little admiration, and hardly any sincere respect.
David Schwimmer isn't alone in his acting chops. We also receive fine performances from Damian Lewis, who plays the main character of the series, Richard "Dick" Winters, and from Ron Livingston, who plays his best friend and frequent confidant, Captain Lewis Nixon. The cinematography of "Currahee" is something to behold as well, especially when it comes to what television has offered as the status quo in the past. The musical score is brilliant as well. With those things in mind, the closing shots of this episode will send goosebumps tingling down the spine, so be prepared.
So, while "Currahee" isn't some grand spectacle, it is certainly a great way to kick things off. It has several excellent moments of character development. The interactions between Winters and Sobel are especially noteworthy. Keep an eye out for Winters dissing Sobel by not looking at him during a Currahee run. Sobel scoffs at first as Winters ignores his superior (Sobel is under the impression that the two have some sort of friendship built out of respect), but then nods in understanding, plays it cool, and rejoins the group. The tensions between the two sees a zenith of sorts as Sobel tries to turn Winters' own men against him. You'll get no spoilers here; you'll have to see what resolution unfolds, if any, because of Sobel's personality and leadership quarrels. Dialogue is a strong suit for this show too. "Currahee" sports a fine amount of solid writing. With these things in mind, hopefully those who are turned off by the slow and deliberate pace of this episode won't dismiss the series altogether.
Stand Alone
snoozejonc31 January 2022
Members of the US Airborne Easy Company go through infantry training.
This is an excellent opening episode with fantastic production values and performances.
To an non-military viewer, Currahee does an informative job portraying men being prepared for the physical demands and discipline associated with soldiering. It also contrasts different attitudes of leadership and how important it must be to identify leaders with the best interests of the soldiers at heart.
David Schwimmer gives a memorable performance as Lieutenant Herbert Sobel, the unpopular commander and drill instructor. He has a number of compelling scenes, but the standout moment for me involves a new order he is given by Colonel Sink. Schwimmer's reaction here is a superb example of how to convey emotion whilst saying very little.
Damien Lewis and the episode writers effectively portrays Lieutenant Richard Winters as a devoted leader who is the polar opposite of Sobel and this cleverly establishes him as a lead character for the show.
Aside from the above, the character focus is quite loose, with many others having less screen time and functioning (in this episode) to service the arcs of Sobel and Winters. There are however decent introductions to the likes of Lieutenant Lewis Nixon and Sergeant William Guarnere.
I was not around in the 1940s, but the set design and period detail made me feel like I had been transported to that era. It all seems to match descriptions and first hand accounts I have heard from family members who were alive and in military service at the time.
The cinematography, editing, colour grading is all top drawer. Plus the visual effects (for a mini-series) are at cinema standard. What enhances everything is Michael Kamen's iconic score that stirs the emotions.
Band of Brothers tells an important story that hopefully generates enough interest in the subject matter to make those unfamiliar with the details find out more.
This is an excellent opening episode with fantastic production values and performances.
To an non-military viewer, Currahee does an informative job portraying men being prepared for the physical demands and discipline associated with soldiering. It also contrasts different attitudes of leadership and how important it must be to identify leaders with the best interests of the soldiers at heart.
David Schwimmer gives a memorable performance as Lieutenant Herbert Sobel, the unpopular commander and drill instructor. He has a number of compelling scenes, but the standout moment for me involves a new order he is given by Colonel Sink. Schwimmer's reaction here is a superb example of how to convey emotion whilst saying very little.
Damien Lewis and the episode writers effectively portrays Lieutenant Richard Winters as a devoted leader who is the polar opposite of Sobel and this cleverly establishes him as a lead character for the show.
Aside from the above, the character focus is quite loose, with many others having less screen time and functioning (in this episode) to service the arcs of Sobel and Winters. There are however decent introductions to the likes of Lieutenant Lewis Nixon and Sergeant William Guarnere.
I was not around in the 1940s, but the set design and period detail made me feel like I had been transported to that era. It all seems to match descriptions and first hand accounts I have heard from family members who were alive and in military service at the time.
The cinematography, editing, colour grading is all top drawer. Plus the visual effects (for a mini-series) are at cinema standard. What enhances everything is Michael Kamen's iconic score that stirs the emotions.
Band of Brothers tells an important story that hopefully generates enough interest in the subject matter to make those unfamiliar with the details find out more.
One of the Best!
RyanEberhart6 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Band of Brothers is one of those mini-series that will be watched for years to come. The whole series was wonderfully done. Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and the rest of the Producers along with HBO created one of the most realistic WWII television shows, ever. If you think about it, though, if it weren't for Stephen E. Ambrose writing the book that would eventually become the series, we wouldn't have this series to watch.
Not only did they do a phenomenal job creating this series but the casting of each of the characters was perfect. David Schwimmer as Herbert M. Sobel was great. After seeing Scwimmer as Ross Gellar for 10 years on Friends as the older brother of Monica Gellar (Courtney Cox) who was a nice guy, sort of bumbling, it was a nice change to see him be an asshole.
The best part of this series is that at the beginning, or end as in the case of the last episode, the men the characters of this series are based off of are presented to the audience. Not until the final episode, however, does the audience know who each man is, but getting to see these men in later life is a remarkable addition to the series. Afterall, why shouldn't they be a part of the series that tell the story of their experiences in WWII.
Currahee is the first episode of The Band of Brothers series. The episode starts out with Easy Company waiting to head to France from England to begin their part of Operation D-Day. In this episode we meet the many different characters, well most of them anyway. The audience learns that Currahee is the mountain that Easy Company, part of the 506th Infantry, trained. Currahee is also the motto by which these men follow, a Cherokee word meaning "stand alone".
So as it has become customary for me to describe my favorite scenes I will do so now.
The first scene I liked is when Sobel has Easy Company run up Currahee after eating spaghetti for lunch. Many of the soldiers throw up along the way, but they continue to run up Currahee. As they do so, and the fact that none of his men fall out, Sobel realizes that they are running up Currahee to spite him.
The different training scenes are my second favorite scenes. The two best scenes are those that depict Sobel screwing up. The first scene is when the company is in textbook position for an ambush, Lt. Winters (Damian Lewis) pints out this fact and suggests staying in position, Sobel ignores the suggestion and has the company move out... right into an ambush. The second scene depicting Sobel's incompetence is when he, and some of his men, are on maneuvers and he becomes lost. It is the way he is spurred into action that is the best part. Not too long after this scene is when several of the non-commissioned officers of Easy Company attempt "mutiny" by refusing to follow Sobel into combat.
The last scene I like is when Joe Toye (Kirk Acevedo) lists off all the equipment that he has to carry. "Three day supply of K-rations, chocolate bars, Charms candy, powdered coffee, sugar, matches, compass, bayonet, entrenching tool, ammunition, gas mask, musette bag with ammo, my weapon, my .45, canteen, two cartons of smokes, Hawkins mine, two grenades, smoke grenade, Gammon grenade, TNT, THIS bullshit, and a pair of nasty skivvies!" I like the fact that he is complaining about how much he is carrying, but either forgets of doesn't care that everyone else has the same or similar amount of equipment.
I give this episode 9 stars out of 10. There was no fighting in this episode, just training. For the most part it was still a pretty good episode.
Not only did they do a phenomenal job creating this series but the casting of each of the characters was perfect. David Schwimmer as Herbert M. Sobel was great. After seeing Scwimmer as Ross Gellar for 10 years on Friends as the older brother of Monica Gellar (Courtney Cox) who was a nice guy, sort of bumbling, it was a nice change to see him be an asshole.
The best part of this series is that at the beginning, or end as in the case of the last episode, the men the characters of this series are based off of are presented to the audience. Not until the final episode, however, does the audience know who each man is, but getting to see these men in later life is a remarkable addition to the series. Afterall, why shouldn't they be a part of the series that tell the story of their experiences in WWII.
Currahee is the first episode of The Band of Brothers series. The episode starts out with Easy Company waiting to head to France from England to begin their part of Operation D-Day. In this episode we meet the many different characters, well most of them anyway. The audience learns that Currahee is the mountain that Easy Company, part of the 506th Infantry, trained. Currahee is also the motto by which these men follow, a Cherokee word meaning "stand alone".
So as it has become customary for me to describe my favorite scenes I will do so now.
The first scene I liked is when Sobel has Easy Company run up Currahee after eating spaghetti for lunch. Many of the soldiers throw up along the way, but they continue to run up Currahee. As they do so, and the fact that none of his men fall out, Sobel realizes that they are running up Currahee to spite him.
The different training scenes are my second favorite scenes. The two best scenes are those that depict Sobel screwing up. The first scene is when the company is in textbook position for an ambush, Lt. Winters (Damian Lewis) pints out this fact and suggests staying in position, Sobel ignores the suggestion and has the company move out... right into an ambush. The second scene depicting Sobel's incompetence is when he, and some of his men, are on maneuvers and he becomes lost. It is the way he is spurred into action that is the best part. Not too long after this scene is when several of the non-commissioned officers of Easy Company attempt "mutiny" by refusing to follow Sobel into combat.
The last scene I like is when Joe Toye (Kirk Acevedo) lists off all the equipment that he has to carry. "Three day supply of K-rations, chocolate bars, Charms candy, powdered coffee, sugar, matches, compass, bayonet, entrenching tool, ammunition, gas mask, musette bag with ammo, my weapon, my .45, canteen, two cartons of smokes, Hawkins mine, two grenades, smoke grenade, Gammon grenade, TNT, THIS bullshit, and a pair of nasty skivvies!" I like the fact that he is complaining about how much he is carrying, but either forgets of doesn't care that everyone else has the same or similar amount of equipment.
I give this episode 9 stars out of 10. There was no fighting in this episode, just training. For the most part it was still a pretty good episode.
the training..
v-5628910 April 2020
In the first part of the show actually nothing significant really happens.. well just the training for one of the biggest invasion in history... Nevertheless, the movie really does meet the expectations from high ratings. It is very well done.
Capt. Sobel
wiseguy2335 October 2021
Great episode.
Quick defense of Capt. Sobel. I don't see him as a coward. You're talking about a man who desperately wanted to fight and went into a depression when that possibility was taken away. Yes he was terrified of diving and nervous in the field but did it anyway.
He was portrayed as petty and duplicitous. There's no argument that he's not an admirable or likable person however Easy Company ended up being a superior fighting force because his talent was training men for battle not being part of one.
Quick defense of Capt. Sobel. I don't see him as a coward. You're talking about a man who desperately wanted to fight and went into a depression when that possibility was taken away. Yes he was terrified of diving and nervous in the field but did it anyway.
He was portrayed as petty and duplicitous. There's no argument that he's not an admirable or likable person however Easy Company ended up being a superior fighting force because his talent was training men for battle not being part of one.
Boot-camp beginnings
anselmdaniel3 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This review contains spoilers for the first episode of Band of Brothers entitled "Currahee".
The first episode of Band of Brothers is entitled Currahee and introduces Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division in boot-camp where they find a strict disciplinarian in Herbert Sobel. Officer Herbert Sobel disciplines and drills the men harder than the other companies. Over time, Sobel's inadequacies are discovered and the men of Easy Company must make a decision.
The first episode is a great introduction to Easy Company. The episode follows Herbert Sobel and Richart Winters played by David Schwimmer and Damian Lewis respectively. The episode has no action and the episode is meant to show the company bonding over Sobel's incompetency. Sobel is presented as an incompetent officer that loses the confidence of his men.
The episode has great scenes. When Easy Company moves to England to continue their training, the episode changes its style. The training becomes more real with the scenarios becoming more realistic for the trainees. This also shows the high budget of the show and the episode resembles production from a high budget movie.
I highly recommend the first episode of Band of Brothers. This episode is a good introduction to the characters and to understand the tone of the rest of the series.
Grade: A
The first episode of Band of Brothers is entitled Currahee and introduces Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division in boot-camp where they find a strict disciplinarian in Herbert Sobel. Officer Herbert Sobel disciplines and drills the men harder than the other companies. Over time, Sobel's inadequacies are discovered and the men of Easy Company must make a decision.
The first episode is a great introduction to Easy Company. The episode follows Herbert Sobel and Richart Winters played by David Schwimmer and Damian Lewis respectively. The episode has no action and the episode is meant to show the company bonding over Sobel's incompetency. Sobel is presented as an incompetent officer that loses the confidence of his men.
The episode has great scenes. When Easy Company moves to England to continue their training, the episode changes its style. The training becomes more real with the scenarios becoming more realistic for the trainees. This also shows the high budget of the show and the episode resembles production from a high budget movie.
I highly recommend the first episode of Band of Brothers. This episode is a good introduction to the characters and to understand the tone of the rest of the series.
Grade: A
A strong start!
and_mikkelsen27 November 2023
This was a great way to start this series! I have never seen this series, but as someone who enjoys war and historic movies and shows, i decided to give it a try!
So far it gets rhe job done, by introducing us to the characters doing training, so that we can get to know them in a more calm and controlled environment before everything goes crazy!
There are a lot of characters but I still feel like i got to know them by the end, and they managed to stick out with their different personality! We see how they respond to the harsh training they had to endure!
Sobel was a great addition as this imperfect drill sergent!
The episode also got a bit emotional at times, giving us a taste of what propably lies ahead!
Production value is also incredible! It may be a mini series but looks and feels like a movie!
Give this a try if you, like me, still haven't!
So far it gets rhe job done, by introducing us to the characters doing training, so that we can get to know them in a more calm and controlled environment before everything goes crazy!
There are a lot of characters but I still feel like i got to know them by the end, and they managed to stick out with their different personality! We see how they respond to the harsh training they had to endure!
Sobel was a great addition as this imperfect drill sergent!
The episode also got a bit emotional at times, giving us a taste of what propably lies ahead!
Production value is also incredible! It may be a mini series but looks and feels like a movie!
Give this a try if you, like me, still haven't!
A good intro episode!
mm-397 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Currahee is one harsh episode! Captain Sobel is harsh, relentless, and un likeable. Currahee displays training of Easy Company which is pushed harder, longer and tougher. The introduction of the troops, Winkler and the rest of the men creates the feel of the Airborne as the start of a lean machine. The training is seen as harsh, but latter on in the series the viewer see why the training is so tough. Captain Sobel is a great trainer, but Sobel's in securities and personal flaws causes problems with unit. The viewer sees new potential leaders, characters and the cohesion of a group of men into Easy Company, which is pitted against Sobel. The acting, sets, directing is on a big budget level movie level. 9 stars.
First Impression
claudio_carvalho24 July 2017
After watching forty-eight episodes of "Combat!" released on DVD in Brazil, the first episode of "Band of Brothers" seems to be inspired in Stanley Kubrick's first half of "Full Metal Jacket" and part of "Combat! - A Day in June".
So far, "Combat!" gives the sensation of a black and white documentary while the first episode of "Band of War" is too aseptic and clean, even considering that the soldiers are still not engaged in combats. In addition, there are several one-dimension characters without any development. Let's see the sequence to have a better view of this awarded mini-series. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Currahee"
So far, "Combat!" gives the sensation of a black and white documentary while the first episode of "Band of War" is too aseptic and clean, even considering that the soldiers are still not engaged in combats. In addition, there are several one-dimension characters without any development. Let's see the sequence to have a better view of this awarded mini-series. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Currahee"
Doesn't live up to it's title
born_naughty17 September 2015
I wonder if the other reviewers saw the same episode I did. From a mini-series called "Band of Brothers" I expect just that. I expect character development and brotherhood to be the focus. Yet in the first episode the only character with any kind of development is Captain Sobel and I'm not even sure he will be that important during the rest of the series. Still, the production value is obviously very good and I know there are a lot of good actors in here so I suppose the stage is set but they'll have to do a lot better in the next episode to convince me that this is indeed a band of brothers. (Now just to type an extra line of text to make sure I have the minimum required for IMDb)
Rewatch, 9.15/10
dcdude-2698816 July 2023
This is honestly an underrated episode in all of tv shows. All the episodes of season 1 were definitely better than an 8.9/10 (most likely). I don't get how people would not like this amazing show. My favorite things about this episode were the storyline, the acting, and the ending. My favorite characters in this episode were Winters and Nixon. I can't wait to get to the other episodes and rate them with 9's and 10's, because this was peak television. I definitely agree with what this app says about it. This should definitely be a top 5, if not top 3 show of all time. This show is definitely a must-watch.
great starting
nabid-1179118 December 2018
Not the best pilot but shows promise
ragpap9320 December 2015
Most episodes in the show start off with real former soldiers from easy company talk for a minute and the opening theme may make feel patriotic or feel some pride or feel inspired. That being said the actual battle does not start until the second episode. The soldiers are in training for two years or it just shows where there all are in 1944 after being trained in 1942. David schwimmer plays Captain Sobel. It feels pretty much like the same character as Ross Geller from friends. The very uptight Ross. The only character building in this episode is Captain Sobel. You were made to hate this character really bad and you were meant to so that is good acting in a way but it is not like David was playing a character completely different from Ross so it feels like not much of a challenge or effort would be made from his part. Plus it overshadows the character of the other characters. it is there but feels minute in comparison. So no matter how much of an stuck up a** Sobel was being you feel sorry for him when he gets transferred.
Start
amindostiari10 July 2021
Kudos to the E company
motunrayoadekunle15 July 2023
I really enjoyed all the episodes, kudos to actors and actresses partook in the film, it should be an international history, which should be reckon with, the was like real life when am watching it, most especially the captain of the team, excellent performance, the company friendly spirit is amazing,if you start watching this film from the beginning you will like to watch to the end, the American company and Nazi Company kudos to the director of this film,if the writer of this film is not biased, kudos to E company, and team spirit, company efforts that put together, if it's real life, no team of company will overcome it.
An apple. A tree. A boy. And a stick.....A "9,1"...
hamidullahgenc5 January 2017
This, ladies and gentlemen, is the first steps of a Russian novel, or the American romanticism, or should we say; the life itself...
Men who want to fight for "a cause" are made of life... They have families, dreams and hearts that have both loyalty and disorder...
Fertile lands as well as barrens will hold all these men in their rests...
This is a dream... turning to a nightmare. Or a journey now has enemy parties coming to its way... that is Europe.
Well, the journey started off with success as the cast seems so focused and the technical committee does a good job so far as they switched from one scene to another in style!..
(P.S.: Music is of the heart of any well-presented story... This story is on the right track.)
"Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but aggress not. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors." The Gracious Koran, the second Chapter (called "The Cow"), the 190th Verse.
Men who want to fight for "a cause" are made of life... They have families, dreams and hearts that have both loyalty and disorder...
Fertile lands as well as barrens will hold all these men in their rests...
This is a dream... turning to a nightmare. Or a journey now has enemy parties coming to its way... that is Europe.
Well, the journey started off with success as the cast seems so focused and the technical committee does a good job so far as they switched from one scene to another in style!..
(P.S.: Music is of the heart of any well-presented story... This story is on the right track.)
"Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but aggress not. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors." The Gracious Koran, the second Chapter (called "The Cow"), the 190th Verse.
Good opening episode
silverton-379594 February 2023
When I saw that pukey David Schwimmer was cast as a company commander, I didn't really look forward to the story, until he was shown to be a weakling, a coward and a self-promoting incompetent. That's the perfect role for someone like Scwimmer, IMO. I was further relieved that the character was sent away before the end of the first episode.
With that actor removed, the rest of the cast is satisfactory. The story is at a stage where the Company is training, preparing for the invasion. I take this to be a lull before the series really takes off, if it's to live up to what I'd heard about it. So, 22 years after the premier, I'm finally getting around to watching the series.
With that actor removed, the rest of the cast is satisfactory. The story is at a stage where the Company is training, preparing for the invasion. I take this to be a lull before the series really takes off, if it's to live up to what I'd heard about it. So, 22 years after the premier, I'm finally getting around to watching the series.
First episode suuuuuucks
mollybretthauer5 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is boooorrrrring. Just watch The Pacific instead- so much better than this boring first episode. This entire episode should have been punctuated with some flash forwards because watching all this training without context to how important it is - waste of my time. Also, I don't care about these characters, too many, don't care- I wonder who will die or make it?wait no I'm not- I don't care. And the entire "Sergeant Ross is incompetent" plot- cut it. Even the stone-faced close ups before any action occurs- meaningless without any previous action or context for danger- what are they going to do? Puke Spaghetti again?? Oh no! This better pick up or I'm rewatching The Pacific. Omg it literally just ends on a rickety plane ride????? Worst first episode of anything ever.
With apology to veterans who are biased in review
rctripp17 December 2023
I went to watch this series due to the amazing score on imdb. However, I turned it off 3/4 of the way through the first episode and I doubt I'll give the second a run. This show was filmed in 2001 yet I've seen better cinematography from the 70's. There's nothing really to praise in terms of art here, it looks more like a Hallmark soap opera.
The episode itself meanders along with no real intelligent dialogue, or hook. I guess it may be a somewhat realistic portrait of military training at the time, based on other reviewers input. But it does nothing for me as someone who if I'm going to spend time watching a show, would like to either be entertained or astounding by a creative artwork.
This did neither for me. It was boring, lacking a good script and artistically unimpressive. I'm happy for old "yes sir" men that went through it, that they enjoy a depiction of their times and struggles, but this story suffices just fine as a book or documentary. There's nothing worthy of all time film here, just the most overrated thing I've ever laid eyes on.
The episode itself meanders along with no real intelligent dialogue, or hook. I guess it may be a somewhat realistic portrait of military training at the time, based on other reviewers input. But it does nothing for me as someone who if I'm going to spend time watching a show, would like to either be entertained or astounding by a creative artwork.
This did neither for me. It was boring, lacking a good script and artistically unimpressive. I'm happy for old "yes sir" men that went through it, that they enjoy a depiction of their times and struggles, but this story suffices just fine as a book or documentary. There's nothing worthy of all time film here, just the most overrated thing I've ever laid eyes on.
Such a horribly boring first episode
siliconhumanoid18 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Why did they cast Ross? Why did they do it? Who are any of the other characters? Why doesn't Ross speak up for himself when he is fired. Does he just disappear forever now? What did we learn by going into the soldier's training as a flashback? Their names? If Ross disappears from the show then why is he part of it at all? Is it to emphasise the togetherness of the squad? Who cares? Why would we want to watch them running that much? Why does all of the dialogue feel so contrived?
The following episodes must be pretty dang good because this is an absolute snorefest of a pilot. I don't know anyone's backstory and I hardly feel attached to any of them.
The following episodes must be pretty dang good because this is an absolute snorefest of a pilot. I don't know anyone's backstory and I hardly feel attached to any of them.
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