Jimmy Robson - Student Choice #3

A popular phrase regarding soldiers in war settings is "there's no atheists in foxholes." One of my favorite war films of all time is the Band of Brothers series. I think the series does a fantastic job of depicting the conditions of World War II, mainly because it is based on a true story. Unlike many of Hollywood's other war productions, Band of Brothers does not attempt to romanticize the war. As viewers, we get to see the horrifying details of the events of World War II. The soldiers of Easy company aren't brilliant patriots with hearts of gold. There normal men in their 20s and 30s, complete with all of the arrogance, fear, and vengeance that comes along with being a soldier of that time. One of the things I noticed about the film was the frequent religious ties each soldier has, especially to Christianity. While sitting in the C-47s, awaiting their first jump into Normandy, the shot cuts to a young soldier clutching his rosary beads, praying that he'll make it to see the end of the war. Another soldier is shown kissing his crucifix before leaning his head back in anticipation. After one particularly bloody battle, the company takes up residence in a church, where they are cared for. The church becomes a place of peace and rest in the midst of fear and uncertainty. There is a tranquility to it. However, the most amazing scene regarding faith in battle, in my opinion, occurs in one of the first battles the company faces. There is a shot of the company chaplain giving last rites to the fallen soldiers as their lives begin to fade away. All around him, concrete explodes from the barrage of artillery and mortars, yet the chaplain does not take cover. He has peace in the fact that God is in control. For many of the soldiers in battle, they only thing they can hope for is that God will deliver them from their enemies. They know that, on their own, there is nothing they can do to save their own tails. It is during this time of fear that they turn to a hope in God, believing that He is powerful and good and will get them back to their families alive.