10 Ways Masters Of The Air Is Better Than Band Of Brothers

Summary Masters of the Air surpasses Band of Brothers in fresh perspectives and individual storytelling.

The series explores deeper one-on-one relationships and the impact of the war on civilians.

Masters of the Air showcases intense flight scenes, highlights the Tuskegee Airmen, and portrays POW experiences.

In January 2024, Apple TV+ released a brand new World War II series from Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, and Gary Goetzman called Masters of the Air, and though many feel that its sister series, 2001's Band of Brothers, remains the best series out of the franchise, there are quite a few aspects of Masters of the Air that are better than its predecessor. Like the miniseries that came before it, Masters of the Air delves deep into a branch of the United States military during World War II. In this case, the series followed the unlucky 100th Bombardment Group.

What makes Masters of the Air stand out from its predecessors are the things that it did differently. Of course, all three Band of Brothers series by Hanks, Spielberg, and Goetzman are different in terms of stories and characters, but it is also the small details that make a difference as well. Band of Brothers and Masters of the Air may occur at the same time and around the same place, but the shows highlight different stories, themes, and details. In this way, Masters of the Air surpasses Band of Brothers in the fresh perspectives it brings to World War II stories.

Related 10 Incredible Masters Of The Air Scenes That Truly Rivaled Band Of Brothers As Band of Brothers’ sister series, it is easy to compare Masters of the Air to its predecessor, however these scenes prove the competition is tough.

10 Masters Of The Air Has Better One-On-One Relationships

Buck and Bucky shine in Masters of the Air

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One of the biggest compliments that Band of Brothers receives is its portrayal of brotherhood during times of war. Although Easy Company faces incredibly hard times during their fight against the Nazis, they manage to survive due to their ability to work together and empathize with each other, despite their different backgrounds. When it comes to Masters of the Air, the relationships are a lot less group based, and as a result, they often come across as deeper. For example, Buck and Bucky from Masters of the Air have a friendship that not only survives the war, but also years as prisoners of war and several near-death experiences. Their commitment and loyalty to each other, despite the odds and over so much time, is incredibly touching and definitely gives Band of Brothers a run for its money in the relationship department.

9 Masters Of The Air Explores The War's Effect On Civilians

Masters of the Air shows the good and the bad for European civilians

Although Masters of the Air is a show about the 100th Bomb Group, the series does not shy away from exploring how the war affected Europeans as well as how it affected soldiers. More than that, Masters of the Air shows the good and the bad. In one episode, the series shows a group of German citizens beating American POWs, including Major John Egan. However, in a later episode, civilians are shown leaping for joy as the 100th drops food over their starving town. By doing this, Masters of the Air offers a more sympathetic and broad picture of World War II. The show does not simply exist in the 100th's bubble. While Band of Brothers certainly does not neglect the civilian experience, audiences are not really given as much of an opportunity to ponder the civilians' lives as much as the soldiers'.

8 Masters Of The Air Includes Incredible Flight Scenes

Masters of the Air shows a more unique and terrifying way of fighting

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One aspect of Masters of the Air that is much different from Band of Brothers, and proves to be a good choice, is how the 100th fights. Whereas Band of Brothers and The Pacific show a number of intense on-the-ground battles, Masters of the Air takes to the sky. While any battle is going to be scary and dread-inducing, Masters of the Air does it better due to the fact that so many things can go wrong. The men of the 100th are not only at a risk of dying, but could do so in any number of horrifying ways. The fact that they are in planes that could malfunction or explode at any moment makes Masters of the Air's fight scenes way more intense and horrifying. Furthermore, they are arguably more visually interesting than the battle on the ground.

The Masters of the Air set had a reconstructed B-17 for the actors to sit in to simulate a real plane.

7 Masters Of The Air Highlights The Tuskegee Airmen

Masters of the Air takes time to portray other important figures

Something unique and exciting that Masters of the Air does, and which doesn't really occur in its sister series, is that the show shines a spotlight on other important historical figures of the period. Although the show centers on the 100th Bomb Group, an entire episode is dedicated to portraying the Tuskegee Airmen, who were the first all-Black squadron of the U.S. Army Air Forces. Masters of the Air certainly did not have to include the Tuskegee Airmen, but the fact that they did is telling. It shows that the series wants to offer audiences perspectives on all different kinds of people, making the show more diverse, fresh, and interesting. Though the Tuskegee Airmen are not the main characters, they add depth and layers to the story. Band of Brothers, on the other hand, remains solely on Easy Company.

6 Masters Of The Air Gives A Sadder (But Realistic) Look At Concentration Camps

Masters of the Air has a darker perspective on concentration camps

One of the most important episodes of Band of Brothers is "Why We Fight," in which Easy Company finds a concentration camp full of Jewish prisoners from whom they learn what the Nazis were really doing throughout the war. There is no question that this is a hugely impactful moment. However, Masters of the Air's own concentration camp moment is just as important, but for different reasons. Where Band of Brothers shows a concentration camp being freed, Masters of the Air shows one that has been abandoned with almost no survivors left behind. While both scenes are equally important, Masters of the Air's is interesting because it shows a sadder, and somewhat more realistic portrayal, at least in terms of its themes. The empty concentration camp represents the idea of the American forces being too late or too blind to the atrocities occurring. This scene is incredibly effective and thought-provoking due to its sadness.

Masters of the Air Episodes Release Date Part One January 26, 2024 Part Two January 26, 2024 Part Three February 2, 2024 Part Four February 9, 2024 Part Five February 16, 2024 Part Six February 23, 2024 Part Seven March 1, 2024 Part Eight March 8, 2024 Part Nine March 15, 2024

5 Masters Of The Air Recognizes Individuals Over Groups

Masters of the Air highlights important individual accomplisments

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Similar to how Masters of the Air has better one-on-one relationships than Band of Brothers, the 2024 series also does a better job of telling individual stories. While Band of Brothers has a strong ensemble cast, the series is more focused on the group rather than the particular men without it. Really, only Dick Winters is given special treatment. On the other hand, Masters of the Air always points out each individual's important accomplishments.

Masters of the Air highlights Major Robert Rosenthal's return to base after the disastrous Munster Raid, Major Buck Cleven's escape as a POW, and Major Harry Crosby's role in planning the 100th's most important flights.

Following certain individuals makes Masters of the Air better because it allows audiences to fall in love with certain characters. Furthermore, it makes it easier to honor each man when their accomplishments are so clearly portrayed.

4 Masters Of The Air Utilizes The Female Perspective

Masters of the Air has several important female characters

A very exciting addition to Masters of the Air that is nearly nonexistent in Band of Brothers is the female perspective. Despite the fact that these war miniseries are focused on specific military squadrons, it is not impossible to find female characters within the narrative, and Masters of the Air succeeds at including them. Masters of Air depicts women involved in the military, like Alessandra Westgate, women volunteers who form close relationships with the men of the 100th, like Helen, and women who are civilians affected by the war, like Paulina. Though their roles are significantly smaller than those of the 100th's airmen, their contributions are still huge. By including important female characters, Masters of the Air shows a more realistic and dynamic view of World War II. Though Band of Brothers does have a few female characters, they do not have quite the same impact as those in Masters of the Air.

Subaltern Alessandra Westgate was based on a real woman.

3 Masters Of The Air Offers Insight Into Being A POW

Masters of the Air explores POW camps when other series do not

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These days, there are countless World War II movies and series to watch, all of which delve into different aspects of the event, however, one particular part that isn't often explored is the experience of being a prisoner of war. Masters of the Air changes this. When two of the show's leading characters are captured by German forces, the series does not hesitate before diving into their time at the famous German POW camp, Stalag Luft III. Spending a significant portion of the show in the POW camp makes Masters of the Air better because it sets it apart from other war projects that focus solely on combat. Masters of the Air shows the various different ways in which soldiers suffered during the war, even aside from actual combat. This is an aspect of the war that neither Band of Brothers nor The Pacific looks into.

2 Masters Of The Air Focuses On Surviving Hopeless Situations

Masters of the Air is hopeless when Band of Brothers is hopeful

It is no surprise that, as a war drama, Masters of the Air explores very dark situations, but in many ways, it is more than that. Masters of the Air does not just portray battles or death. The series explores the idea of hopelessness via the notoriously unlucky 100th Bomb Group. Their story is a miraculous one, but the men face quite a lot of sadness and tragedy before they can begin to succeed.

In this way, Masters of the Air shows a darker, more hopeless World War II story, whereas Band of Brothers feels much more hopeful.

Masters of the Air's heavier ambiance makes it better because it highlights how extraordinary the true story of the 100th is, and furthermore, makes the series feel more unique and different from other World War II projects.

1 Masters Of The Air's Characters Are Not Perfect

Masters of the Air shows heroes aren't always flawless

Both Masters of the Air and Band of Brothers portray the stories of World War II heroes, putting them in a generally positive light. However, Masters of the Air isn't afraid to make even its main characters into doubtful people. The greatest example is Major Harry Crosby, whose book the series is based on. Crosby is an amazing navigator and has saved countless men via his flight plans, however he also cheats on his wife while in Europe. This fact does not necessarily make Crosby a bad person, but it is brave of the series to show all the different parts of Crosby rather than just the good things. Band of Brothers also shows the light and dark sides of its characters, though not as much with main characters. Overall, this, among other things, makes Masters of the Air stand out from Band of Brothers.