The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film & documentary maker
Mar 2014 back issue
by David James
Band of Brothers was a television mini series produced by Tom Hanks and Stephen Spielberg and first aired in
2001.
The series followed Easy Company (part of the US 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division)
from training to action during World War II. The real-life events depicted were taken from interviews given by Easy
Company veterans.
Stills for the film were shot by Stephen Spielberg’s preferred film-stills photographer, David James. Here, David
describes his time on the set of Band of Brothers and choses some of his personal favourites from the film.
“Every time I drive to my home I am reminded of my time on Band of Brothers. My route takes me on CA101;
highway 101 is named the 'Screaming Eagles Highway', dedicated to the 101st Airborne. The series followed soon
after I had shot the stills on Saving Private Ryan, it was exciting to get back to the Second World War. I often refer to
myself as Dr Who with a camera.
“One of the special memories of the 10 month shoot was a visit from a bunch of the real guys (the veterans), their
camaraderie was a wonderful thing to witness, the Band of Brothers were as close as they had been since fighting
side by side in the war.
“Our actors on the series became their own BOB and to this day they have a yearly re-union.”
David James
