The Eighth Air Force’s 100th Bomb Group earned the nickname ‘The Bloody 100th’ due to its hard luck, brutal encounters with the German Luftwaffe and heavy losses. Now, their story will be told in the upcoming miniseries Masters of the Air, created by Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and the award-winning team behind Band of Brothers and The Pacific.
Here’s the official synopsis:
“Based on Donald L. Miller’s book of the same name, and scripted by John Orloff (Band of Brothers), Masters of the Air follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen, and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air. The psychological and emotional price paid by these young men as they helped destroy the horror of Hitler’s Third Reich is at the heart of Masters of the Air. Some were shot down and captured; some were wounded or killed. And some were lucky enough to make it home. Regardless of individual fate, a toll was exacted on them all.”
WATCH THE TRAILER:
The story will follow four young friends as they fight to survive the deadly bombing missions of their B-17 Flying Fortresses over World War II Europe. While WWII iconography and heroism is certainly no mystery today, the trailer offers a glimpse of how truly harrowing air combat was at the time. The series promises an authentic cinematic experience while honoring the stories of the American bomber crews who fought and died to secure the Allied victory.
Don’t expect all your heroes to survive to the end of the series — Masters of the Air is based on the real heroes who fought in World War II, including the ones who gave their lives in the line of duty. It will focus on their brotherhood, the lives and loved ones they left behind at home and their valor.
The series features an outstanding cast led by Academy Award nominee Austin Butler (Elvis), Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore), Anthony Boyle, (Tolkien), and Academy Award nominee Barry Keoghan (Dunkirk).
Masters of the Air will premiere on Jan. 26, 2024, and will feature nine episodes total over its weekly release schedule.