AppleTV+ to Release Spielberg and Hanks’s WWII Series ‘Masters of the Air’

When HBO‘s renowned WWII drama, ‘Band of Brothers‘, premiered in 2001, it signaled a milestone in television production. Now, the third installment of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg‘s WWII project, ‘Masters of the Air’, is set to be released on AppleTV+, reflecting the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. With the backing of Apple’s deep pockets, this massive-scale series has the necessary resources to bring this sweeping story to life.

‘Masters of the Air’ follows the journey of the airmen from the 100th Bomb Group, piloting B-17s over Europe during WWII, targeting key Nazi establishments and enduring grave casualties. The show explores the immense toll of the war, emphasizing the real horrors experienced by these heroes.

Unlike its predecessor, ‘Band of Brothers’, which achieved cultural phenomenon status, ‘Masters of the Air’ didn’t capture the same level of attention when it premiered in 2010 as ‘The Pacific‘. This might be why it has found its home on AppleTV+ instead of HBO, as the business of television has changed over the past two decades.

The series features a sprawling narrative that focuses on two friends, Major Cleven (played by Austin Butler) and Major Egan (played by Callum Turner). Despite their central roles, they often get lost amongst the sea of aviator gear and characters. The show attempts to emphasize the sheer scale of loss experienced during the war, leaving us in awe and less invested in individual lives.

Nevertheless, ‘Masters of the Air’ remains grimly compelling, with each episode directed by talents such as Cary Joji Fukunaga, Dee Rees, Anna Boden, and Ryan Fleck. The impossibly young men face harrowing sequences in the sky, flying their aircraft into flak explosions and Luftwaffe fighter swarms. With death ever-present, they soldier on, displaying sheer bravery or a hardened fatalistic mindset.

The series also delves into other aspects of the war, including dangerous escapades behind enemy lines, conflicts within POW camps, and even offers an episode dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen. While it is impossible to avoid valorizing war in any depiction, ‘Masters of the Air’ does so with less sensationalism than other similar efforts.

The performances of Austin Butler, Callum Turner, and others provide solid grounding for the series. Narrated by Anthony Boyle as Major Crosby, this character adds a touch of humanity to the show, making each leather-clad aviator distinct amidst the chaos. Barry Keoghan also makes an appearance, bringing a touch of Brooklyn charm to the series.

The show’s visuals have taken a more painterly approach, offering a stylized look that diverges from the verité style of its predecessors. While air combat scenes feel genuinely palpable, the overall aesthetic gives the show a slightly surreal and polished feel, which contrasts with the gritty realism of its most intense moments.

Fans of ‘Band of Brothers’ and ‘The Pacific’ will undoubtedly find value in ‘Masters of the Air’. It is a vivid, dreadful, and moving series, delving into the experiences of barely post-adolescent airmen who hurled themselves into the horrifying reality of war. The show serves as a startling reminder that survival during these raids was often a cosmic accident rather than a display of mastery.