Band of Brothers-Speirs' 'Hopeless War' Speech

"The only hope you have is to accept the fact that you're already dead"

[ChrisJS]

This was actually useful advice for me when I was going through the worst time of my life. Having lost so many important things in my life I was clinging on for something to come back. I was full of hope that things would get better. But hope started feeling like despair. Eventually I couldn't distinguish between them. At one dark point this scene popped into my head and I started to understand it in a much deeper way. I watched it a few times to let it hit home and then went on to function properly and make things happen. I accepted that the person I was before was dead and I needed to build something new. Hope without a plan is a wish, and basing your life on wishes is a distraction. I don't know if he really said this or if it was a writer who added it, but it really helped me.

[edkirby]

It's Speirs' deadpan delivery here that makes this so haunting and effective.  What he says is so dark (just about as dark as you can get) and true at the same time, but he is completely emotionless.  It doesn't at all faze him.

This was as good a two minutes of drama as I've ever seen.  Brilliant.

[michaelbarker]

Blithe admitting that to Spiers was as courageous as taking a life. I think Spiers recognized that and shared with him the best advice he could offer. The nature of Spiers is not to be fearless, but the making one of opposites.

[minorityofthought]

Spears never corrected any claims about him. He let them believe the rumors. He fortified the belief that he was the most badass soldier to ever live. He knew how to make soldiers live by being truthful about war with them. Blithe became a hardened soldier by the time he got shot at that farm house. He had no fear about death. Blithe took Spears word to heart and became a legend in his own right.

[jebbroham]

"Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men". - John F. Kennedy.

[Scriptum_]

Sgt. Martin is so underrated. While many soldiers were scared the shit out of them he was just sleeping peacefully like a baby.

[markrillen]

In my Opinion as a former marine you either have to believe that your not going to die or that you're already dead to be an effective soldier. There's no middle ground. Anyone who says that they are not afraid to die in war is either a liar or insane.

[alexanderbutler]

The best part of this clip.

Martin's comlete indifference to what is happening and desire to sleep. Like a true soldier lol.

LET ME SLEEEP.

[slide]

Got to hand it to all these Brit actors with great American accents. It's impressive.

[CSC]

"We're all scared." It's almost like he was comforting him before he tells him what he needs to hear.

[buschtrout]

That Lt Speirs “We’re already dead” monologue really is a amazing analogy for life. Once you accept the fact you will one day die you can truly live life and be free (at least free from the fear of death). Do you think our attachment to staying alive comes from our fear of what might be on the other side?

[georgelee]

Blithe is the biggest miss in this TV series. I wish they did better homework for research. As it was later found out after the series was finalized and broadcasted, that Blithe overcame his illness at hospital and got re-assigned to the 82nd and fought the rest of WWII very bravely. After WW2 he went to Korea War and later Vietnam. He won a lot of COMBAT jump wings and medals and became the very first JumpMaster in entire airborne forces.

[spacepimpkevin]

"We're all scared."
This very scene got me to be numb with those very emotions.

[trevorcarlin]

Look at the way Speirs' eyes change at 1:30 they turn into a hunter's eyes, a predator's eyes, something menacing, dark, not human.

[tgc]

Blithe is just like "...shit"

[codyking]

The actor that played Spiers really got that thousand yard stare down. This is just chilling. He's barely human.

[frankdodd]

Accepting you're already dead may be the thing that keeps you alive. The fear is still there, but doesn't paralyze you or prevent you from doing the things that keep you breathing: thinking, functioning, and executing. They say a soldier has to accept the fact that there's a bullet out there with your name on it. That's basically what Speirs is saying. It's good advice in general, but specifically it was just what Blithe needed to hear.

[nickn]

I literally remember this quote and say it outloud everytime at work when I'm hanging off a building +300ft in the air scared shitless; but gotta do it for the bank ."The only hope you have is to accept the fact that you're already dead. The sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function: without mercy, without compassion, without remorse."

[ofusowre]

The guy who plays Blythe has an incredible performance. I m surprised I ve not seen him in more movies. They all great actors which makes this series excellent 👌

[garyroberts]

People think this philosophy only applies to war. No. This applies to life itself.