THE FILM:

Narrated by actor Damian Lewis (“Dick Winters” in HBO’s Band of Brothers TV series), “Dick Winters: Hang Tough” is a one-hour documentary film telling the story of the building and dedication of the Richard D. Winters Leadership monument in Normandy, France in June of 2012.

The film also focuses on the leader of World War II’s “Band of Brothers” and the leadership skills he possessed throughout World War II, especially on the coast of Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

A never-before-seen interview with the late Major Winters is included, as well as interviews with many of the actual “Band of Brothers” veterans.

Winters is famous for commanding Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, the “Screaming Eagles” in Europe in World War II.

The film also touches on the relationship the Major had with those in Normandy post-WWII, including the family who has owned Brecourt Manor for centuries. Brecourt was the location of the famed assault (then) Lt. Winters led on D-Day to take out the four German 105mm guns firing on American troops landing on Utah Beach.

CLASSROOM RESOURCES:

Each of our documentary films has a corresponding quiz or essay question for use in the classroom by teachers and educators.

We encourage you to choose one of the PDFs below that is the best match for your students. It’s up to each educator if you would like to offer either the exam or the one-question essay. An answer sheet corresponds with each quiz.  Our goal is not to overwhelm students with dates, treaties, and strategy. Instead, we would rather focus their attention on the individual stories of the subjects of our documentaries. We find these visual stories to be inspiring, impactful, and educational.

We hope that after viewing one of our films, students will want to learn more about the personal stories of World War II generation. Maybe they do this by reading a book, watching another documentary, or perhaps a full-length film.  Maybe our films will inspire your students to ask an older family member about their role, or inquire about another relative’s story, in World War II.

We recommend the below curriculum for grades 7-12 and college.