War series starring Damian Lewis is ‘just as good as Band of Brothers’

A wartime drama starring Damian Lewis has been praised by viewers as one of the strongest depictions of conflict ever brought to the screen, with some calling it every bit as powerful as Band of Brothers. Warriors, first released in 1999, follows British soldiers deployed on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Bosnia.

It starred Matthew Macfadyen and Lewis - in one of his earliest screen roles before international recognition arrived with Band of Brothers two years later - and told the story of a group of British peacekeepers serving in an operation of the UNPROFOR in Vitez, during the Lašva Valley ethnic cleansing in 1993.

The two-part drama was directed by Peter Kosminsky, known for his meticulous and realistic approach to real-life events. The series received critical acclaim on release but has remained lesser-known outside the UK. On IMDb, reviewers continue to highlight its impact more than two decades later.

One wrote: “One of the best television dramas ever produced, and the rest of America will realize it if it is ever seen on American television. The writing, acting, and production values are all excellent. If only people knew what they were missing.”

Another review reflected on the disturbing realism, explaining: “The war ended four years ago but this movie made me feel like it was still going on”.

“I could not sit calmly while I was watching it. It was so disturbingly realistic that the whole time I was watching it I could not choose between crying and laughing and at the end I caught myself sitting and staring at a non-existing dot on the wall.”

Others stressed the thought-provoking nature of the drama, with one viewer noting: “I could give a description of what it feels like to watch this."

"But I won’t, since there are no words fit to describe the utter madness of war depicted here. Go see it and think about it.”

“You might end up hating yourself for being part of this world we created. But if there is a slight chance flicks like these could make a difference... who knows. Deeply impressive.”