THE BLOODY HUNDREDTH HELPS BRING THE MASTERS OF AIR TRUE STORY TO LIFE
Serving in the 100th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force can be summed up by B-17 Co-pilot John “Lucky” Luckadoo, “We were going overseas to die.” This was the harsh reality of those serving in a group dubbed “The Bloody Hundredth.” This is where the skies during World War II over England in 1943 were ironically more like hell than heaven. Apple TV+ collaborated with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks to create Masters of the Air to help tell these stories; however, The Bloody Hundredth documentary is helping supplement the series with a real-life documentary that compliments the story. Suggested read: Masters of the Air Is Bringing World War II to Apple TV+
Is Masters of the Air a True Story?
Yes, the Masters of Air true story is told over a nine-episode series. It was derived from events told in Donald L. Miller’s book which shares the same name. However, The Bloody Hundredth documentary is taking things a step further by providing even more context to the story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkYOtyp3hKU What makes The Bloody Hundredth WW2 story so engaging is the insanely high casualty rate, even for the conflict. This makes hearing the stories of surviving Veterans within the 100th Bomb Group that much more harrowing.
The Bloody Hundredth Helps Bolster Apple’s Hit Series
If you're an avid fan of Masters of the Air, don't expect The Bloody Hundredth to be a completely new revolution. It's more of a way to condense the nine-hour miniseries into a one-hour summary; however, through the use of real-life archival footage and interviews. Prior to the series premiere, writer and showrunner John Orloff emphasized the extensive research undertaken, spanning several years and resulting in a comprehensive 200-page collection used to create the series. Veterans provide first-hand accounts throughout The Bloody Hundredth movie. Fans can appreciate the level of detail put into the production versus what really happened. Additionally, many documentary moments play out exactly as they are in the Apple TV+ series. Related read: The Ongoing Fight for PACT Act Benefits
However, The Bloody Hundredth Still Delivers New Insight, Complementary Content
While you might not be getting new insight, if you’re a fan of Speilburg and Hanks’ hit series, there are still plenty of new bits of information. The Bloody Hundredth provides great background information. For example, showing the training crews went through, how they built bonds as a team, and much more. It also provides firsthand accounts of just how powerful the Luftwaffe was and how advancements were necessary for the success of the Allies. One of the major differences between Masters of the Air and the likes of Band of Brothers was the lack of interviews. While survivors of Easy Company were a part of each episode, Masters of the Air simply throws viewers into war. Admittedly, because of how many died serving in the 100th Bomb Group, the comparison is a bit apples to oranges in reasonableness. This is the real treat of The Bloody Hundredth documentary. Hearing from those who served and survived the incredible missions. Veterans like Luckadoo, Harry Crosby, who narrates, Richard Macon, Robert Wolff, and Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal all get to tell you a piece of history. There are some discrepancies, like Luckadoo and Robert Wolff not being in the Masters of the Air series. Nonetheless, their stories are more than fitting. Overall, The Bloody Hundredth is a great watch that is receiving positive ratings from critics and audiences alike, including an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, as of this writing. Read next: Veteran Resume Tips: How to List Your Veteran Status