When one talks of artistic collaborations in Hollywood, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks have shared memorable associations in 5 films that have become big blockbusters. They took their professional relationship one step further by becoming co-producers on the critically acclaimed miniseries, Band of Brothers.
This stirring true story of bravery during World War 2, got Damien Lewis his breakthrough gig that kickstarted his career in Hollywood. FRIENDS star David Schwimmer was also seen in a very different avatar from his sitcom character. According to fans, though, one actor whose brilliant performance was pivotal in the drama did not get the kind of recognition for his efforts that his co-stars got.
This Actor Is The Real Deal In Steven Spielberg’s Miniseries According To Fans
After their successful collaboration in Saving Private Ryan and other films, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg joined forces once again to become executive producers on the miniseries Band of Brothers, which was based on historian Stephen E. Ambrose’s 1992 book of the same name. The series dramatizes the history of Easy Company and their participation and sacrifices in World War 2.
Damien Lewis made viewers sit up and take notice of his talent following his intense portrayal of the protagonist Captain Richard ‘Dick’ Winters. The show also provided an opportunity for FRIENDS star David Schwimmer to showcase his versatility in the realm of drama. Both these celebrities received a lot of critical acclaim for their performances.
Another key role in the series was Army Officer Lewis Nixon played by Ron Livingston. Along with Winters, the character’s bravery while fighting for his country made him an inspiring figure in history. The actor brought all of these aspects to the fore through an immersive and involved performance. His character’s friendship with the protagonist was also one of the highlights of the show.
Based on a recent Reddit poll, viewers were asked to rate their favorite performances in Band of Brothers. While Lewis was expectedly well on top of the list, many fans were more impressed with Schwimmer’s effort, especially since the actor had attempted a very different role.
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But certain fans were surprised that Livingston came in only 4th on this list. A few netizens weighed in on this and believed that The Conjuring star was not given the credit he deserved. They explained their reasons by elaborating on many instances from the series that showcased the character’s influence and how the actor performed these scenes. Some fans felt that without his presence, the show would not have become the success it was.
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Despite Lewis and Schwimmer getting greater recognition, Livingston’s performance proved that acting was not always about statistics. The actor showed that he still had a discerning fan base who recognized his abundant talent.
The Real Secret Behind The Success Of Band Of Brothers
In 2001, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg put their creative minds to work to collaborate as producers on the HBO war drama, Band Of Brothers. This inspiring adaptation of a true event became extremely popular with audiences and also received widespread praise from critics.
The series was brought to life by writer Erik Jendresen who did extensive research into the courageous actions of these World War 2 soldiers through letters written by Captain Richard Winters himself, who was portrayed by Damien Lewis.
In an exclusive interview with Emmys Television Academy, he revealed that he collaborated directly with the real-life hero to get his facts correct, while also pouring over various other documentation presented to him.
In addition, executive producer Hanks who also had his valuable inputs for the script, believed that they were privileged to have this amazing treasure trove of information at their fingertips. Therefore, there was no excuse whatsoever to create a story that was completely honest and authentic in every sense. This motto, Jendresen stated, was the cornerstone that set the series apart.
From the outset, Tom and I — we had this embarrassment of riches. So we thought, ‘Let’s set the bar at an unreasonably high level of accuracy, and not compromise, and not necessarily be beholden to the strictures of traditional television writing or drama.’ Let’s let the truth lead the way.
This process, along with the decision to involve Winters in every aspect of creating the narrative, ensured that audiences were able to feel the actual bravery of this dedicated ‘band of brothers’ who laid their lives on the line for their country.
Band Of Brothers is streaming on Netflix.
