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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Band Of Brothers
Genre: Drama

Reviewed In Issue 68 (Jan 2003) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Kirk Acevedo, Eion Bailey, Michael Cudlitz, Dale Dye, Dexter Fletchter, Rick Gomez, Scott Grimes, Colin Hanks, Frank John Hughes, Damian Lewis, Ron Livingston, James Madio, Ross McCall, Neal McDonough, Rene L. Moreno, David Schwimmer, Matthew Settle, Douglas Spain, Richard Speight, Jr., Shane Taylor, Donnie Wahlberg, Rick Warden & Marc Warren

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 4
DD Sound Rating: 4.5
DTS Sound Rating: 5
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 4.5
Internet Links
http://www.hbo.com

Special Features
This series comes nicely packaged in a tin with fold-out housing for six DVDs (five episode discs and one special feature disc). Each disc offers a brilliant Field Guide companion, from which you can access brief biographies of the actual men portrayed in any particular episode, historical timelines, maps, chains of command, and an episode-specific and full glossary. Disc Six includes the 77-minute "We Stand Alone Together: The Men Of Easy Company" documentary as well as a 30-minute behind-the-scenes "Making-Of Band Of Brothers" featurette, a 12-part video diary belonging to actor Ron Livingston, a three-minute glimpse at the premiere screening of "Band Of Brothers" at Normandy, brief character video spots, photo gallery for each of the 10 episodes, a Jeep commercial, and DVD-ROM enhancements.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): HBO Home Video
(Catalog Number): 99205
(MPAA Rating): Not Rated
(Rating Reason):

(Retail Price): $119.99
(DVD Type): Multi-Disc Set/DVD-9 x 6
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 625
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2001
(Theatrical Release): No
(Direct-To-Video Release): Yes
(DVD Release Date): 11/05/02
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Phil Alden Robinson, Richard Loncraine, Mikael Salomon, David Nutter, Tom Hanks, David Leland, David Frankel, Tony To & David Frankel
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  DVD Picture Information

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  DVD Sound Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Based on the book by Stephen E. Ambrose, "Band Of Brothers" is the Golden Globe-winning 10-part HBO series about the volunteer parachute regiment who found themselves at the forefront of World War II. Starting with their rigorous training in Georgia in 1942, it recounts the achievements of the elite rifle company from D-Day to the fall of Nazi Germany, and the surrender of Japan. (Suzanne Hodges)

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.78:1 DVDs offer imagery that has been stylized to take the viewer back in time to its setting. Colors are slightly muted and occasionally resemble a blurry old photograph, with dull green army fatigues and soft similar colors throughout. Skies are often blown out, additionally contributing to the overall look of the series. Despite the intentionally soft look, details can be nicely presented. Film grain is retained and effectively adds a gritty texture to the picture. Each part of the series starts off with a brief set of reflective interviews that have a clean and sharp, you-are-there appearance. There are some instances of pixelization and shimmering artifacts, but nothing that is too offensive. The distraction of edge enhancement is minimal. This is a visually engulfing series that takes you to the heart of its subject. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
Though originally created for television, the 5.1-channel audio presentations offer substantial dimensionality and prowess in the low-end. Depending on the episode, the latter can be particularly powerful in nature, with prominent .1 LFE engagement and downright intense pulses of deep bass, with sub-25 Hz extension all around. Overall, the audio has been very well recorded, especially with respect to the dialogue. Voices have a compelling, natural tonal presence and remarkably good spatial placement, notably in open, outdoor settings. The Michael Kamen music score is a very nice recording, with ample expansiveness across the screen and notable surround envelopment. The surrounds range from being gentle in activity for conveying ambience, to being aggressive with prominent stereo separation. The DTS Digital Surround version sounds a little more articulate with both the low-end and spatial reproduction. This is a wonderful soundtrack production that excels in terms of presentation and the rendering of the sheer intensity of war. (Perry Sun)

This Disc Contains The Following WSR-Rated Superb Qualities:
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