5 Best Movies Every Richard Winters Fan Must Watch
A decorated war veteran, the late richard winters (more known as Dick Winters) is best known for commanding Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division during the Second World War.
Displaying utmost gallantry during his stint, he was part of the Normandy landings — known as D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history that began the liberation of the then German-invaded France. Further in his career, he was promoted from lieutenant to major and was entrusted to command the entire 2nd Battalion.
Though the Pennsylvania-born war hero had passed away in 2011, his legacy continues to get introduced to younger generations — thanks to movies and TV series that celebrate his heroism. In this article, we’re rounding up the five best works that every Major Dick Winters fan should watch.
Band of Brothers (2001)
Produced by film luminaries Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the popular HBO mini-series Band of Brothers memorializes the story of Richard Winters (portrayed by Damien Lewis) and his East Company. The project chronicles how Winters led his team of paratroopers to land at the Ohama Beach in France as part of the historic Normandy landings in June 1944 and help liberate the country from the Nazis. It was based on a book penned by Stephen Ambrose.
We Stand Alone Together (2001)
An accompanying work to the acclaimed Band of Brothers, We Stand Alone Together is a compilation of D-Day narratives as told by the veterans from the East Company themselves. The Emmy-nominated film — which runs at 1 hour and 18 minutes — is directed by Mark Cowen. Cowen himself has witnessed how Winters continued to be a leader of his troops even after the war as he helped the director gather and compile interviews from the D-Day heroes.
Returning To Normandy (2013)
At 17 minutes, Returning To Normandy: The Richard D. Winters Leadership Monument Project is a short yet striking documentary that follows the dedication ceremony of the titular monument built outside Sainte-Marie-du-Mont in France. The landmark, unveiled 68 years after D-Day, depicts the war hero leading his men. Making this work more stirring are interviews with World War II survivors from the Winters-led East Company Al Mampre, Ed “Doc” Pepping, and Frank Perconte.
D-Day: Over Normandy (2017)
“D-Day: Over Normandy” utilizes drone technology to present picturesque aerial shots of iconic World War II locations in Normandy, France. Weaved with personal stories from the war veterans and archival footage taken during the pivotal invasion, the one-hour documentary — narrated by ace Super Bowl coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots — takes viewers to where an important part of WWII history took place. One of the featured locations in this work is the abovementioned The Richard Winters Leadership Monument.
Dick Winters: Hang Tough (2012)
In “Dick Winters: Hang Tough,” actor Damien Lewis — who previously portrayed Major Winters in “Band of Brothers” — lends his voice to narrate the story of the building and dedication of The Richard D. Winters Leadership Monument. The hour-long film also includes a never-been-aired interview with the late Major Winters in it.
If you are a fan or avid collector of richard winters memorabilia, check out what we have for you at Gettysburg Museum of History. You can also contact us for more information.