Steven Spielberg On Tom Hanks And The Real BAND OF BROTHERS

Subscribe to this channel for more exclusive videos from the AFI Archive: bit.ly/Subscrib...
Tom Hanks is saluted by two real-life members of Easy Company, the military unit that he based his story BAND OF BROTHERS on at the 30th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Tom Hanks (2002).
Follow AFI:
/ americanfilminstitute
/ americanfilm
/ americanfilminstitute
www.afi.com

[@Raafje84]

They liberated my country. We will always be loyal to our american friends. Respect from Holland

[@russelmurphy4868]

Now THIS has to be the best tribute Tom Hanks has ever received in his entire career... Better than any Oscar, the thanks of two men of "Easy" Company.

[@richardthelionheart5594]

Screamin Eagles now and forever

[@channel9productions26]

This speaks so much to the character of Tom Hanks, his respect and admiration for those men is never ending. He was the first person to stand in the entire crowd

[@JasonMaguire327]

I'm not American, but I respect those heroes and I thank them for their service to the the whole world.

[@Notreallyhereanymore]

Same

[@vega1824]

I am german and I could not more agree!

[@adr1ew]

*Licks boot*

[@rockndude87]

"I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked the other day, when he said 'Grampa were you a hero in the war?'. Grampa said 'no'. But I served in a Company of Heroes" -Major Dick Winters-

[@aryanrabbani119]

I saw it in the documentary

[@soloshoesyus4534]

That was Lipton

[@ZuperFlax]

It was Mike Ranney that wrote this in a letter to Dick Winters actually

[@richardthelionheart5594]

@@ZuperFlax It is popularly attributed to Mjr Winters

[@ferenceb]

OMG this is just too much for me... and i'm only 23 years... those guys are real heroes... i would thank them on my bare knees if i ever see them!

[@FriendofRamblinJack]

My dad is almost 92; he is the last of our WWII Veterans in our family. My 25-yr-old son is the first to serve since his Grandpa; he's in the Coast Guard, and I have never been so proud and humble. God bless these Veterans and all our military men and women all over the world.

[@julianoppenheimer2748]

Nance Schmance we need artillery fire!!! The coordenates are 351 north .34west

[@vernpascal1531]

It took me too long to admit the obvious. they were the Greatest Generation and they gave us our lives...

[@grizzfan08]

Thank your son, and your family, for their service.

[@eradius]

its despicable that a single person could dislike this, shame on you

[@alessandromagno76]

these guys are terrific: they suffered so much, and had very bad times, and they're still alive...incredible!

[@pchelamaja88]

Tears in my eyes...this is such an honor for Tom, he deserves it.

[@darkknight2231]

loved band of brother's could watch it over and over.

[@michaelhayden5264]

You can almost see the tears in Tom's eyes (and in the eyes of Bill & Babe). The story of the men of Easy Coy (506PIR) had to be told on the small screen and Hanks and Spielberg told it with an accuracy that no one could argue with. Thanks

[@GiantLollipop69]

Tom Hanks has definitely poured his heart and soul out on both Band of Brothers and The Pacific. What a good way for our posterity to learn the ways of war ACCURATELY. Im a service member and would like to give my thanks for that.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

My father was a world War II veteran. Six Armored division third Army. I would have loved to have been able to sit down and watch this miniseries with him. Dad enjoyed a good war movie. The only movie he ever got to take me to was Patton. He actually met the general personally on several occasions including in the ETO during combat operations. Dad loved that movie. He said George C Scott captured the real general when he portrayed him. Something that many people don't realize about general Patton he had a real affection for his ncos.

[@TheLordHodne]

This is the BEST serie ever. Cannot be discussed.

[@talhakhalid2865]

Made me cry the moment veterans entered and Tom stood....

[@Coupal1]

Spontaneous tears flowed when I first watched this. My father was a Canadian veteran of WWII. I know how difficult it is/was for veterans to talk about their experiences. Tom Hanks filled a much needed void in initiating the making of this series "Band of Brothers". Thank you very much for posting this!!

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

My dad was American Army six Armored division. He talked a lot about the war except for one thing. I had to ask him a direct question about it. The question was he at buchenwald. He was. That was one thing he wouldn't talk about

[@krusader85]

this is a standing ovation for 2 heros

[@Genosious]

Truly an amazing series. God bless the brave men of Easy Company.

[@richardthelionheart5594]

"Screamin Eagles" now and forever we are grateful

[@hollyannephelps6885]

Brought tears to my eyes!!!

[@marknan5352]

A standing ovation is not enough for those guys , but , with a thank you its the best we can do.

[@cress5508]

One of the most beautiful 1:30 time spans in my entire life.

[@DylanW216]

Proves just how great of a man Tom Hanks is. First one to stand up and the last one to sit down.

[@southcop]

GOD Bless you all and GOD bless America.My old man was a vet, he passed away last year.

[@Zennofobic]

i have to rewind this clip everytime I see it because I can't see through the tears in my eyes

[@jamescurfman3284]

Props to those guys! Thank you for your service and sacrifice, gentlemen!

[@eatasquid]

Well, I just melted into a puddle of tears.

[@uncletaylorify]

That thanks proboably meant more to him then the award did.

[@24Jackmusic]

I would've cried like a litte baby if i was in Tom's situation, such an honor.....

[@Railhog2102]

I'm proud of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg did to bring our heroes to life on the big screen.

[@robbietheking69]

omg so emotional thank you soldiers to exist

[@gyrowave]

What a moment in history! God bless you all!

[@CV-db6dg]

Thank you for Band of Brothers and The Pacific, and including interviews from the actual heroes. Most of these Easy Company's heroes are now gone but their stories will live on. These two series moved me and educated me. Thank you so much for bringing their stories to us. Looking forward to the upcoming series.

[@EscanV]

2 REAL Heroes! I'm not American but what those Paratroopers did will always be held in absolute high honour! THANK you from all of us who live in a world of Freedom and Liberty across the world! THANK YOU for you service and the sacrifice of your brothers!, CURRAHEE, SEMPER FI, PER MARE PER TERRAM, WHO DARES WINS!

[@racingfootball]

One of my all-time favorites is the story of Band of Brothers. Since I first saw it, been following the history, bios etc of the real guys.. GOD Bless these two.. And ty for your service ~ ty all who have and is serving in our Military. From this military brat AF *Both parents *.. I really do appreciate all of the service... *History buff here* and proud daughter of 24 yrs dad, mom, and family history...

[@Aertaye]

Wauw That Was The Largest Applaus i ever heard , its good that the people in 21 century still have respect for the men how had to do the most terrifying job GOD BLESS YOU SOLDIERS

[@zulawoo]

Just him saying Oh my god, at the start (well, reading lips is pretty obvious), meant the world to me, and the respect :)

[@ianhearsum8256]

Heroes all rip lads

[@zaphodbogdan33]

They were the gratest generation, citizen soldiers, none of them were professional soldiers, they were ordinary men, who became heroes and did what needed to be done. That is the measure of great men. Many of them were volunteers, how many of you would do that today?

[@ravinaferrer7426]

OMG I WOULD CRY SO MUCH

[@TangoHotelEcho]

For all of the 101st ABN soldiers my honor! Holland

[@jaydub8025]

I love Band of Brothers. Especially Gonorrhea :) I've watched the series probably a couple dozen times, lol. I think it takes great dedication, skill and attention to detail to make a series such as that. I agree with you, they are the rockstars of the film industry.

[@BuzztronicEmpire]

i got goose bumps when first tom hanks with his touched face & the army audience stood up and showed respect to the ww2 veterans! this is great

[@USNveteran]

I consider myself fortunate to have heard both my father in laws stories (USN WWII) but also my brother's father in laws stories (USMC WWII) first hand. To me they seem to take on an entirely different light when you hear them first hand. I will never forget those men or their stories, we miss you Brownie & Norm. FLY NAVY!!!

[@THE-X-Force]

I hate to focus on the negatives, but I really have to wonder .. who are the 29 "people" who actually bothered to click the dislike button on this video? What exactly is going on in their heads? One of the greatest actors of all time, and a genuinely good person by all accounts, being honored by grateful heroes who fought in a terrible war for the fate of the world. How can anyone dislike this? In today's world, we see all too frequently the monsters that walk among us .. with such a tragic, sociopathic, lack of humanity and empathy, it would make a serial killer jealous. It's indescribably sad, and a little terrifying, to realize that if you're in a room with twenty people in it, there's a near certainty that at least one of them is savagely racist, or sexist, bigoted, all of the above. With a lust for blood .. and pure hatred in their hearts. I suppose it was always this way? Now, we just know it's true. We see the murder of unarmed citizens in broad daylight, usually without care or concern, most often without consequence. We see people cheering for fascism and authoritarianism. Utterly self-destructive denial of science and truth so ubiquitous, it's like a form of mass hysteria or a pandemic in itself. "They" have turned us against each other. Divided us into red and blue. No longer a country of compatriots. It is "us" versus "them". That's they way "they" like it, or else we might actually stand up *TOGETHER* for ourselves, standing against "them", and finally put an end to this machine of greed grinding up all of human-kind .. our society, our culture, our identities, our very lives. Sorry. I guess this is all just starting to get to me. Seeing those 29 dislikes .. it's just this small symbol that shouts very loudly to me. "What can men do against such reckless hate?"

[@THE-X-Force]

@jonathanbirch2022 Wow .. 3 years later you made a worthless comment.

[@THE-X-Force]

@jonathanbirch2022 I have a feeling you're one of those "people" I was sadly referring to 3 years ago, Jon. It's kind of strange to think you read my original post and somehow thought it was "raging against the dislike bar" .. when the entire thing is about how hateful and divisive American society has become. That's what makes your comment worthless. It has nothing to do with what I said .. which you either didn't read or don't understand, but certainly seem to enjoy confirming and contributing to. I'm actually disappointed they removed the dislike count. It's allowed WAY more clickbait to get through, and the site is virtually saturated with it now. In any event, thanks for the insightful conversation. You're muted now, so feel free to have the last word. ☮

[@rockndude87]

Two men whom I admire with all my heart...CURRAHEE!!!

[@michaelmoreno4696]

Wow this was absolutely amazing the love he has for these heroes ❤ they continue to touch the hearts of many people thank you for telling their stories

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg are powerful team behind the lens. They do excellent and compelling work. They remained respectful of the real story while creating a new Hollywood epic.

[@lacouerfairy]

Tom Hanks is one of the truly great men of our time.

[@rockndude87]

Bill and Babe are great guys! I can't imagine what they went through in the war, but I definitely know what they did was huge!

[@InspieringEpicVideos]

Respect to the men fallen.

[@KhaderBandak]

This is so touching

[@johnplayersstandard]

I like this...they are getting a well deserved clap here.

[@timlachance25]

well said! a real pitty more dont comprehend the efforts made to get this end result.

[@phantom4evr101]

this video proves the modesty that tom hanks is filled with and that he is someone that truly deserves respect

[@jagonation]

in the words of tyler durden: our great war is a spiritual war and our great depresion is our lives. this truly was the greatest generation. currahee!

[@thomasleur]

Brilliant how those soldiers come on the stage.

[@anbexbr]

my heroes.

[@dezze0n]

perfection the couple of seconds on end...

[@rockndude87]

@AREM16137 I know Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, and The Pacific aren't garbage made by a random hollywood star. They're fantastic portrayals of what our country's greatest heroes did for us in time of great need and Tom is damn good at it too! I never get tired of those films/movies, ever...

[@easy77146]

true heros who we o so much.

[@davor1873]

hanks looks as if he was about to burst with pride.

[@Bamaboompa]

Seeing Tom Hanks and also Gary Sinise in the audience - when you read about the no talent idiots and prima donnas in Hollywood, just thank goodness that there are a few like Tom & Gary there as well. A touching video.

[@XlightninX]

best actor ever period

[@lukascheng4892]

Stunning

[@rhcpguitarar]

Ask Tom and he'll probably tell you this is the biggest achievement he's ever received.

[@snelleeindje6383]

those are the true heroes of this world

[@usairforce5197]

Tom hanks teared up.

[@MrMelgibstein]

Tom Hanks should win an Oscar for filming Forrest Gump at two old slave plantations, Bluff and Plum Hill in North Carolina.

[@VanBru03]

I always cry when i see Tom Hanks crying! ooh is soooo cuteeeee

[@chimirock]

Honor y Gloria alos combatientes

[@junkiespacey]

How Can you disslike This ?

[@backdraft1902]

Gooooosebumps !!!!!

[@sleep1592]

@loosekarrott I said the same thing ... soon as they walked in I was like "Get up dammnit" And Tom stood up first ......

[@glorysun84]

@itachiitachi1946 in one of the first combat missions that they had after landing in Normandy on June 6, 1944 is still being taught at West Point. The men of Easy Company and other military units gave their lives in order to protect the USA and others.

[@obefiend]

guarnere! my fav easy company guy!!

[@bwarrior83]

00:31 "Oh my God!"

[@KhaderBandak]

We Want moreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@schallrd1]

True american heroes to behold.

[@AbercrombieLaura]

He does both. He's also a producer and writer. =]

[@darrenheadrick3669]

To be honorwd by these 2 great mean and Jim Lovell as well. Mr. Hanks, you did these mens characters right.

[@nicolaichristensen]

God be with you to guys !!

[@ModernRetroGaming1972]

@robo1945 - really, cool - then have your country make a 10 part mini series about it to showcase those brave men and we'll all watch it - until then, thank you Tom & Steven for bringing this story to life.

[@15jumpmaster]

What a classy guy.

[@KeepSkippin]

Please, do not spoil the video with those comments. It's a so magic moment I can watch on KZbin.. Do not spoil it.

[@rhysoto90]

Spielberg did say that Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan was the greatest piece of acting he has ever seen.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

For those that enjoy miniseries may I suggest the winds of War and War and rememberance.

[@lukeE1776]

1:02 LT Dan!

[@richardthelionheart5594]

Screamin Eagles the world salutes you

[@TakeDetour]

God bless Nothing easy about it Company.

[@RIXLAZZZ]

@DylanW216 this man is everything that is great about america

[@wsiklogfh]

i trully, deeply respect soldiers from WW2, (my grand father fought in that one)

[@1989Goodspeed]

For some reasons most of the movies Tom stars in, even though he might acting the lead character it almost never feels like he is the extreme center of the story (not even castaway), no “egoism” if you know what I mean…? Its bigger then one single character.

[@gnomusy]

Oh man! What a moment, the real thing strikes Hanks

[@rockndude87]

@phantom4evr101 If i ever had a war hero paying homage to me i'd be pretty modest too...but Hanks truly has dedicated time to telling the story of others in series like these...that's why i love the guy!

[@BrickMovieProduction]

0:31 Tom Hanks: Oh my god

[@andreirpt6518]

perfect

[@henryvagincourt]

That comment is disgraceful, those oldmen has you call them, defended you being here now, and they gave there youth for the rest of us in the name of freedom.

[@Anonymus0809]

I want to see more of this! Where can I find rest of it?

[@rockndude87]

Got 'The Pacific' for Christmas and I loved it, but 'Band of Brothers' is WAY better, without a doubt...

[@Undertaker3879]

Lost it in Bastogne, when the Germans were shelling them . He lost it when he went to try and save his friend, Joe Toye, who had been hit from another artillery round. When he went to save him he got hit as well. If I remember correctly, might be wrong.