Featured Image Credit: Apple TV+
Topics: News, Film and TV, World War 2, Books
Niamh Shackleton
24 hours on from the release of Masters of the Air, the verdicts are in.
The highly anticipated new series dropped on Apple TV+ yesterday (January 26), and boasts an all-star cast made up of the likes of Austin Butler, Saltburn's Barry Keoghan, Callum Turner and Ncuti Gatwa.
The first two episodes are now available to stream, with the remaining seven being released on a weekly basis: a new episode dropping each Friday.
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The programme is largely based on Donald L. Miller’s 2006 book Masters of the Air: How the Bomber Boys Broke Down the Nazi War Machine, and looks at the real-life exploits of an American bomber crew named the Bloody Hundredth.
According to Miller, the main characters in Masters of the Air are real World War II veterans.
"The big difference between making this and The Pacific is that back then, a lot of those vets were still alive and the actors could call them, or we’d have them on set, and they’d tell us what really happened," the author and historian explained to USA Today.
"With this, I was practically the only one who had known or interviewed many of these real vets. So the actors would come to me, and I’d help best I could."
Undeniably, the series being based on a true story adds a touch of je nais sais quois, and viewers are so far enjoying what they've seen.
Just two episodes in and the miniseries has 82 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
One person penned to X: "I just finished watching the first episode of Masters of the Air and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! It was so good and very intense! Can’t wait for more!"
"Masters of the Air is f**king awesome," wrote another, as a third added: "Masters of the Air has such a strong start; [Steven] Spielberg and [Tom] Hanks really know how to get this sh*t done, and with Apple throwing money at them I'm not surprised."
They continued: "If you liked Band of Brothers you're doing yourself a disservice not checking this out."
Masters of the Air has been dubbed as so-called 'spirit sequel' to the 2001 hit, Band of Brothers.
Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks produced both programmes, in addition to fellow fan favorite war series, The Pacific.
Episode three of Masters of the Air drops on Apple TV+ on February 2.