Johnnie Walker - Dear Brother

Director: Dorian & Daniel

Actors: Robin Guiver, Mathew Lewis-Carter
Voice Actor: John "Bang" Reilly

Producer: Madlen Folk & Johann Valentinitsch
Director of Photography: Jan David Günther
Idea: Daniel & Dorian
Poem: Daniel & Dorian, John Reilly
Costume: Kathrin Radtke
First AC: Adrian Huber
Editor: Raquel Caro Nunez
Visual Effects/Compositing: Daniel & Dorian
Film Music: Renée Andre Abe
Sound Design: Marvin H. Keil

[GibsoLesPaulStandard]

I'm a grown man, and I watch this every once in awhile to make sure my tear ducts still work

[Jex]

Not sure an advert has ever gotten me genuinely teared up before...

[johnnythreefour]

Never been so inspired to continue with my alcoholism before.

[VioletSunsets]

"Never let your memories--die. Never."
"In your mind, I am free."

Beautiful.

[glendafindley]

My younger brother passed away in January. We are taking his ashes to spread them where he wished them to be spread, in a lake. This video hit home. He was my best friend.

[lekoman]

Chills. Beautiful stuff, guys. Super Bowl-ready.

[DorianDanielDD]

Because so many asked for it. Here are the original lyrics from the poem. It was written by voice actor John "Bang" Reilly in collaboration with us.

[RaptorInNewMexico]

I watched this in 2017 and thought. Damn I need to talk to my little brother i haven't talked to him I while. He died in his sleep 12-14-19 . I talked to him a few times but never over dinner, coffee, or a football game. We were grown and had our lives in motion. Never had the time for each other. Now I wish I had time for our youths. I sit here wishing we talked about those free days of youth. Many people seen my little brother as a man.... I seen him as my baby brother. I had to do his eulogy it was the hardest. I will remember him always as my baby brother. I know know he's with our mother. Love you Chris.

[mikesidders]

I work in the advertising and marketing industry and have done so for 30 odd years now. This piece is my gold standard. I've shared it dozens of times - to my team, peers, agency relationships, etc. as an example of how powerful advertising can be when done right. It works on so, so many levels. Virtuoso.

[markwsquires]

The Poem

Dear Brother

Walking the roads of our youth
through the land of our childhood, our home and our truth

Be near me, guide me
always stay beside me so i can be free, free

Lets roam this place
familiar and vast
our playground of green frames, our past

We were wanderers
never lost, always home

When every place was fenceless
and time was endless
our ways were always the same

Cool my demons and walk with me brother
until our roads lead us away from each other
and if your heart’s full of sorrow, keep walking, don’t rest
and promise me from heart to chest
to never let your memories die, never

I will always be alive and by your side,
in your mind

I’m free

by Johnny B.A.N.G. Reilly.

[AEqabi]

I don't have a brother. and this got me wishing I had one more than

[rickjuhlin]

I lost my younger brother ten years ago.I never fully grieved. When I watched this, it touched me deeply. I was able to have an emotional release that had been ten years in coming. Thank you for such a powerful and moving depiction of two brothers sharing memories and love.

[frogger]

I Lost a brother recently. I must have watched it a 1000 times since then.  Find it comforting somehow.

[Kolohe]

Lost my brother to COVID earlier this year. I keep coming back to this video for comfort and solace.

[paytondavis]

This hits home. This was released 9 days after my big brother died. I miss him.

[sleepyhollow]

I lost my younger brother last week, due to depression and suicide, its all very raw, and then a friend send me this .
Kapuf, hit in the stomach by a ton of emotion . I will watch this for the rest of my life.
What a brilliant piece of work. Respect, Dignity.

[dee]

Walking the roads of our youth.
Through the land of our childhood our home and our truth.
Be near me, guide me, always stay beside me so I can be free.
Free.
Let’s roam this place, familiar and vast our playground of green frames our past.
We were wanderers.
Never lost, always home. When every place was fenceless, and time was endless, our ways were always the same.
Call my demons and walk with me brother, until our roads lead us away from each other, and if your heart is full sorrow, keep walking don’t rest, and promise me from heart to chest to never let your memories... die.
Never.
I will always be alive and by your side, in your mind.
I'm free.

[martyyu]

"He died, like so many young men of his generation, he died before his time. In your wisdom, Lord, you took him, as you took so many bright flowering young men at Khe Sanh, at Langdok, at Hill 364. These young men gave their lives. And so would my brother. My brother, who loved bowling...Good night, sweet prince."

[workprojects]

I am moved every time I watch this. Thank you.

[bendougal]

Our second son was stillborn at 39.5 weeks. We didn't know until we got to the hospital in labor. Our first is a redhead. Someone showed this to me at work a few months later and unlocked this longing for their relationship. It's been 7 years and this still breaks open my heart and makes me cry. Thank you for creating something with emotion.