10 Incredible Masters Of The Air Scenes That Truly Rivaled Band Of Brothers

As the third war drama created by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman, Masters of the Air is often and inevitably compared to its sister series’, Band of Brothers and The Pacific, however this 2024 show has plenty of merits that make it stand strong alongside its predecessors, including some truly amazing scenes. Like its companion series, Masters of the Air centers on the true stories of individuals who fought bravely during World War II. In particular, the series follows the U.S. Army Air Forces’ 100th Bombardment Group, who faced incredible bad luck during the spring of 1943.

Despite sharing iconic producers, Masters of the Air had big shoes to fill upon its release in January 2024. Band of Brothers is not just an iconic war drama. It is often considered to be the best war drama ever made. In this way, Masters of the Air was under serious scrutiny when it was coming out on Apple TV+. Luckily though, the nine-episode series proved through its best scenes that it can rival Band of Brothers, and at times, even surpass it. These scenes are the best of Masters of the Air drama, action, and history.

10

The 100th’s First WWII Mission In Masters Of The Air

Masters of the Air drops audiences right into the action

One of Masters of the Air’s earliest scenes quickly proved that the series should be taken as seriously as its predecessors. In Masters of the Air episode 1, the men of the 100th Bomb Group are sent out on their first mission over Nazi territory, and rapidly realize that their job may not be as simple as it seemed in training. Under intense flak and enemy fire, the 100th loses planes in great bursts of fire and sees men cut by plane propellors or severely burned by their equipment. This scene is intense, heart-racing, and full of dread, which is why it is such a great scene. Audiences are pushed right into the deep end in episode 1, just like the characters are. This is notably different from Band of Brothers, which has a slower, safer first episode.

9

Buck Cleven’s Miraculous Landing In Africa

Buck carries his crew through the dangerous Regensburg mission

Another air-related scene that rivals Band of Brothers’ on-the-ground war sequences occurs in the show’s third episode. The 100th is sent to bomb Regensburg, and then, must fly all the way to Africa. With serious damage sustained to their plane, Buck Cleven and his crew should have evacuated the scene, however, Cleven manages to finesse the aircraft all the way to Africa. His handle on a stressful situation is incredible to watch and is immensely valuable for building up Buck’s character. And furthermore, even when Cleven is landing, just seconds away from safety, the scene does not let up an inch. Audiences are left wondering until the very last moment: will he make it? This scene is another anticipatory, risky moment that makes Masters of the Air as gripping and exciting to watch as Band of Brothers.

8

Masters Of The Air’s 100th Bicycle Race

Cleven and Egan race around Thorpe Abbotts in a rare moment of joy

In war dramas, happy moments are hard to come by, and this is especially true of the unlucky 100th Bombardment Group. However, in Masters of the Air’s early episodes, audiences are gifted a delightful scene in which the men of the 100th race bicycles around Thorpe Abbotts. After the terror of their first missions, this scene is a much-needed distraction for the characters and the audience alike. For a moment, everyone can smile and reflect on the fact that these soldiers are really just young men. Plus, it doesn’t matter who wins.

This scene perfectly parallels the endearing moments of brotherhood found in Band of Brothers.

7

Curtis Biddick’s Tragic Masters Of The Air Death

Biddick faces an upsetting end during the Regensburg mission

Sometimes a show’s saddest moments can be their most powerful, and for Masters of the Air, this is certainly true. The 100th Bomb Group suffers countless losses throughout the series, but one of the most impactful is the death of Lieutenant Curtis Biddick. During the Regensburg mission, Biddick’s plane suffers serious damage, and though his crew evacuates, he tries to land the plane so that his injured co-pilot might have a chance of surviving. Despite his heroic efforts, Biddick ultimately loses control of the plane and perishes in its crash. This scene is notable because it shows the ways in which soldiers can be brave, but still not make it out alive. Biddick represents the bravery of the 100th, but also, its immense casualties. Biddick’s untimely and heartbreaking death definitely measures up to Band of Brothers’ death scenes.

6

Harry Crosby’s D-Day Preparations

Crosby shows a different side to America’s World War II efforts

A more unique Masters of the Air scene is Major Harry Crosby’s preparations for D-Day. While Band of Brothers remains solely on the ground with the men of Easy Company, Masters of the Air isn’t afraid to split its attention and show different perspectives on the war. One such perspective is Crosby’s, who is the 100th’s Group Navigator. In the days leading up to D-Day, Crosby works endlessly to ensure the iconic mission goes right. Crosby works so hard that he eventually passes out. This scene is not only incredible because it offers a glimpse into the intense planning necessary for war, but it also stands out because it is more surreal than any other scene in Masters of the Air or Band of Brothers. Crosby’s exhaustion makes this scene distinct from the more generic war sequences.

5

Masters Of The Air’s Munster Raid

The Munster Raid resulted in several iconic Masters of the Air moments

Over the course of the 100th Bomb Group’s journey in Masters of the Air, the Munster Raid was one of the most eventful moments. The 100th embarked on a mission to Munster in episode five that ended in disaster when, faced with hundreds of German Luftwaffe planes, almost every 100th plane was shot down or forced to evacuate. Major John Egan crashlanded in Germany, meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rosenthal was the only pilot to fly his plane back to Thorpe Abbotts. Overall, the Munster Raid sequence is one of Masters of the Air’s best because it is a turning point for the story.

This also makes Masters of the Air stand out from Band of Brothers in an interesting way, as the Munster Raid highlights the 100th’s losses where Band of Brothers often focused on Easy Company’s wins.

4

Buck Cleven’s White Horse Moment In Masters Of The Air

Cleven sees a white horse during his POW escape

During Masters of the Air’s final episode, Major Buck Cleven has a scene that is notable because it is one of the only truly symbolic moments throughout the entire show. As Cleven is escaping from being a POW, he stumbles across a white horse with a bloody wound in its neck. The horse is calm and almost statuesque as it stares Cleven down. When it wanders away, it is clear that Cleven seeing that horse was a particularly special moment. The white horse scene in Masters of the Air is great because, for once, the series tells its story in symbols rather than as straight forward history. The horse forces audiences to wonder and consider what it all means. This is not only unique for Masters of the Air, but also for Band of Brothers, which also lacks symbolism like the white horse.

3

Buck & Bucky Reunite At Stalag Luft III

The two best friends finally reunite after several episodes

One of the best relationships in Masters of the Air is that of Gale ‘Buck’ Cleven and John ‘Bucky’ Egan. From the start, their friendship acts as an emotional core of the series. Therefore, when the two finally reunite at the POW camp Stalag Luft III after several episodes apart, it is an especially climactic moment. After days of terror, Egan enters Stalag Luft III and is greeted by a familiar face who he knows will be with him for the rest of the war. In this way, the brotherhood and love between them is palpable for the audience. Overall, this reunion scene is on the same level, or even better, than the relationship between Band of Brothers’ Dick Winters and Lewis Nixon, and is a smaller scale representation of the brotherhood that makes Band of Brothers so great.

2

POW John Egan Raises The American Flag In Masters Of The Air

Egan’s newfound freedom is punctuated by the American flag

Near the end of Masters of the Air, Major John Egan, members of the Tuskegee Airmen, and other 100th men are still prisoners of war under the Germans. However, as the war comes to an end, American forces approach, intent on freeing the camp. Rather than wait for their freedom, Egan and the POWs rush around the camp, overwhelming their captors and taking the camp as their own. The final piece of their takeover clicks into place when Egan climbs atop the camp’s flagpole and raises the American flag in place of the Nazi flag. Ultimately, this scene is teeming with inspiration, joy, and pride. It is a moment of pure satisfaction after episodes of oppression and struggle. This scene has the same joyful energy as Easy Company’s taking over of the Eagle’s Nest in Band of Brothers.

1

Masters Of The Air’s Robert Rosenthal Finds A Concentration Camp

Rosenthal’s discovery is one of the show’s most important moments

The most important scene in Masters of the Air is when Lieutenant Colonel Robert Rosenthal finds an abandoned concentration camp in Poland. Where most of Masters of the Air takes place in the sky or in a POW camp, this scene finally lifts the curtain on the bigger picture of the war. Through Rosenthal, Masters of the Air sheds a light on the greater impact World War II had on Europeans, and Jewish people in particular. This is a solemn, heartbreaking moment that is not just vital for Masters of the Air, but adds so much with so little. In just one scene, Masters of the Air becomes about something much bigger than just the 100th Bomb Group. Band of Brothers’ “Why We Fight” is incredibly powerful, and Masters of the Air matches it in a completely new way.