Objectively speaking I think Bastogne (episode 6) is probably the strongest episode of Band of Brothers. Its just such a tight piece of writing and directing. However, Why We Fight is simply an emotional tour de force. I first watched it a good few years ago now but it remains seared into me.
With not a mention of Nazi ideology all series prior to this episode, the reveal of what was in the woods comes as an absolute sucker punch. It's just an utterly spine chilling hour. Rarely can a piece of art leave you stone cold silent after you've experienced it, but that's exactly what Why we fight does.
The use of Beethoven's string quartet is a particular master stroke. That music is so full of quiet longing, it's a sonically sparse plea to the heavens. The episode seems to be asking "how could the same society that gave us Beethoven also give us the depravity of the final solution?"
The question is always the same: what the hell did they think they were doing?
With not a mention of Nazi ideology all series prior to this episode, the reveal of what was in the woods comes as an absolute sucker punch. It's just an utterly spine chilling hour. Rarely can a piece of art leave you stone cold silent after you've experienced it, but that's exactly what Why we fight does.
The use of Beethoven's string quartet is a particular master stroke. That music is so full of quiet longing, it's a sonically sparse plea to the heavens. The episode seems to be asking "how could the same society that gave us Beethoven also give us the depravity of the final solution?"
The question is always the same: what the hell did they think they were doing?