Key Takeaways:
– Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have a long-standing creative partnership spanning over 26 years.
– Their collaboration on World War II projects has yielded commercially successful and critically acclaimed series.
– Their latest project, Masters of the Air, is available for streaming on Apple TV+.
A Unique Hollywood Collaboration
Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have a prospering partnership in the Hollywood industry. The journey began with the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan, a collaboration that yielded a revolutionary end result. This success spurred a series of collaborations over the next 26 years, cementing their relationship while pushing innovative boundaries in the film industry.
Exploring WWII Together
Right from the start, Hanks and Spielberg had a special fascination for World War II events. Their debut venture, Saving Private Ryan, is a testament to this interest. The film’s success paved the way for the creation of the HBO series Band of Brothers in 2001. It’s a series that even today is celebrated for its accurate depiction of the brutality of war.
Riding the tide of this success, Spielberg and Hanks expanded their WWII universe with The Pacific and then Masters of the Air, each one exploring unique perspectives of land, sea, and air in wartime.
The Profitability of WWII Universe
Hanks and Spielberg, acting as executive producers, have seen their WWII project morph into a commercially successful Hollywood franchise. Further, they take pride in how their projects do not merely exploit the topic for commercial gain. Hanks, in particular, believes in the historical relevance and substantial socio-cultural implications of these projects.
Adding Value to Masters of the Air
The duo’s latest venture, Masters of the Air, is seen by many as an extension of their original Band of Brothers work. However, Hanks insists on its independent significance and the need for its massive budget to bring its story to life, especially its focus on the cost and human toll of war.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Hanks explained, “We’re showing the cost of what it took to bomb the Nazis. It’s not just ‘Yay, we bombed the Nazis.’ It’s, ‘We bombed the Nazis and it profoundly affected many Americans.'” Hanks further explained the inclusion of African American soldiers in the series to bring out the racist reality of the time.
Keeping The Nostalgic Feel Alive
Despite the popularity of streaming platforms today, Masters of the Air maintains the nostalgic feel of past HBO’s shows like Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Despite a gap of a decade between the projects, the essence of those earlier series remains in Masters of the Air.
The enduring creative bond between Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg is a rarity in Hollywood. Masters of the Air is a testament to their enduring collaboration amidst the ever-changing environment of the entertainment industry.
A reminder for all fans of this duo: you can stream Masters of the Air on Apple TV+.
