Band of Brothers & The Pacific (Special Edition Gift Set)

With a history aficionado (in general) and a World War II buff (in particular) on my holiday shopping list, I always face the inevitable crisis about what to get them. Arguably, HBO's 2001 miniseries "Band of Brothers" and the 2010 offering "The Pacific" are two of the most significant narrative works to emerge on the contemporary entertainment scene. Spearheaded by the powerhouse collective of Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, these two massive enterprises showcase different aspects of the Great War. While initially dubious of the hefty price tag (although I picked one up when Amazon had it deeply discounted), there is no denying that the appearance of the Special Edition Gift Set is both handsome and deluxe. As a gift or if you don't already own the two shows, this would be an easy recommendation. However, if you do have one or both of the programs--I'm not sure that this qualifies as a necessary upgrade.

I will make some comments about the programs for newbies in a moment, but let's get down to the facts for those who are already familiar with the two miniseries and just want to know about this specific item.

Packaging: The DVD discs are placed within a large hardbound book with thick cardboard pages on which glossy photographs accompany the inserts. It's akin to having a coffee table book with DVDs inside. There are two discs housed on each two page spread (one side only) and I have no issues with too much glue or scratched discs which can be problematic in similar sets. It's really quite a nice layout. The book itself is then housed in a the simple box pictured which seals magnetically. Granted, the size of the overall package may not sit easily with your traditional DVD collection--but it is designed as a real centerpiece.

DVDs: The two actual miniseries, with all previously released bonus material, are carried over from the prior individual releases. Each disc houses two episodes (both Band of Brothers and The Pacific run ten episodes or five discs). Each miniseries then has a Bonus disc. As I said, these features are the same as those previously released. This makes up 12 DVDs and a thirteenth has a new documentary feature.

Principle bonus features carried over for Band of Brothers:
"We Stand Alone Together" Documentary
Ron Livingston's Video Diary
"Making of" Featurette
Normandy Premiere Featurette

Principle Bonus Features carried over for The Pacific:
"Profiles of the Pacific" featurette
"Making the Pacific" featurette
"Anatomy of the Pacific War" featurette
On Blu-ray only: An Enhanced Viewing Mode Experience

New Documentary: "He Has Seen War." This is a 53 minute feature that follows some of the veterans shown in both miniseries home as they reminisce about those homecoming experiences. It is bleak, sometimes painful, and a very emotional addition. It is very worthy to be seen--but if you already own both shows, it's not enough to drive a double dip purchase.

"Band of Brothers" and "The Pacific" represent very different components of the war. I won't synopsize either show as that information is widely available (and I've gone on way too long). Both are essential viewing in my opinion. Packaging them together makes a beautiful set. KGHarris, 11/11.

Great way to get them both.Most places offer them seperately but this site offered both together at a FANTASTIC price.Postage was a really great deal also.

I bought this for my husband who really enjoys reading history and war books. He was excited when he opened this. If you have to get your nose out of a book every once in a while, these DVD's are really worth watching. We have both really enjoyed watching them together.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 37 reviews  4.8 out of 5 stars