Exploring Band of Brothers Filming Sites: Unveiling the Epic TV Series Locations

The majority of Band of Brothers’ narrative unfolds in mainland Europe, but the filming predominantly occurred elsewhere. Based on Stephen Ambrose's non-fiction bestseller, the classic 10-part miniseries recounts the experiences of Easy Company, the 501st regiment of the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division during World War 2. The storyline tracks Easy Company from their training in Georgia in 1942 to their European campaign, climaxing with the capture of Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden, Germany.

Filming for the series lasted between eight and 10 months, mainly taking place in England’s home counties, the counties surrounding London. The British government provided Band of Brothers with a substantial tax incentive to film in England, similar to the deal co-producer Steven Spielberg received for shooting another war project, Saving Private Ryan, in England. This explains the abundance of British actors in the Band of Brothers cast. While the miniseries portrays Easy Company’s actions in various European countries, the production itself remained predominantly within the home counties.

WATCH BAND OF BROTHERS ON MAX

Hatfield Aerodrome

A Former British Aerospace Factory That Occupied Hertfordshire

Band of Brothers soldiers in Bastogne - A Former British Aerospace Factory That Occupied Hertfordshire - Hatfield Aerodrome

The majority of Band of Brothers was filmed in Hatfield Aerodrome, a former British Aerospace factory located in Hertfordshire, England. Spielberg and Hanks had previously used this location for parts of Saving Private Ryan. The expansive open field was transformed to depict twelve different European towns, including Bastogne, Eindhoven, and Carentan. In one episode titled "Bastogne," a fake forest was created to replicate the Ardennes forest for the Battle of The Bulge sequence.

The Band of Brothers production team found the location beneficial due to the numerous disused aircraft hangars available. These hangars were used to store props and hardware, with one housing World War 2-era tanks, jeeps, and ambulances, another storing wardrobes, and a third filled with mannequins used as corpses for battle scenes. Today, the former aerodrome is occupied by the University of Hertfordshire's de Havilland Campus.

North Weald Airfield

The Planes Taking Off In North Weald Airfield Are CGI

The North Weald hangar in Band of Brothers - The Planes Taking Off In North Weald Airfield Are CGI

Ironically, the D-Day airfield take-off scenes that punctuate Band of Brothers’ first episode were not filmed at the Hatfield airfield. Instead, the production chose to depict Easy Company’s journey into Normandy using North Weald Airfield in Essex, a neighboring county. North Weald holds historical significance as a tactical location used by British planes during World War 2. However, the planes shown taking off from the airfield at the end of the episode were created using CGI.

Hambleden

Hambleden Was Used As A Replacement For Aldbourne

Damian Lewis as Winters looking down the road with an old British man in Band of Brothers - Hambleden Was Used As A Replacement For Aldbourne

The training sequences in Band of Brothers episode one were primarily filmed in the aerodrome, while the village scenes were shot in the real village of Hambleden, standing in for Aldbourne. Hambleden, located in Buckinghamshire, is a neighboring county to Hertfordshire. This picturesque town also made an appearance in the 1968 British film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Home County Forests

The Location Was Also Used For Gladiator, Children of Men, and War Horse

Soldiers marching in Bourne Wood in band of brothers - The Location Was Also Used For Gladiator, Children of Men, and War Horse - Home County Forests

Additional scenes for Band of Brothers had to be shot in authentic forests, staying close to Hertfordshire. Two forests in the home counties were chosen for filming. Surrey’s Bourne Woods was utilized for certain training exercise scenes in the first episode. This picturesque location has been featured in several renowned films such as Gladiator, Children of Men, and another Steven Spielberg production, War Horse.

Bernese Oberland, Switzerland is a picturesque region that served as the backdrop for several scenes in the famous James Bond film, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service." The stunning mountain landscapes and charming villages of the Bernese Oberland provided the perfect setting for Bond's escapades in the Swiss Alps. In addition to its Hollywood connections, the Bernese Oberland is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities amidst breathtaking natural beauty.

The Location Was Used For Scenes Set In Austria & Germany

Damian Lewis in Bernese in Band of Brothers - The Location Was Used For Scenes Set In Austria & Germany - Bernese Oberland, Switzerland

The cast and crew of Band of Brothers traveled to the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland and the hotel Giessbach for scenes set in Austria and Germany. The final episode, "Points," prominently features the Bernese area, with parts of the Bernese Grimsel Pass serving as the location for Hitler's Eagle's Nest. The Swiss village of Brienz stands in for the Austrian town of Zell am See, and the hotel Giessbach is the real-life setting for the main characters' stay in episode 10.

Editor's P/S:

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the filming locations for the acclaimed miniseries "Band of Brothers." It is fascinating to learn that despite the series' portrayal of European battlefields, much of the filming took place in England's home counties. The production team's utilization of Hatfield Aerodrome, North Weald Airfield, and the picturesque town of Hambleden to depict various European locations showcases their creativity and ingenuity.

The inclusion of scenes filmed in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland adds an authentic touch to the portrayal of Austria and Germany. The stunning mountain landscapes and charming villages of the Bernese Oberland create a believable backdrop for the series' poignant concluding moments. Overall, the article effectively highlights the extensive location work that went into bringing "Band of Brothers" to life and provides insights into the challenges and solutions faced by the production team.