Masters of the Air: Rosie’s real-life grandson reacts to “surreal” series

❘ Updated: 2024-03-14T16:30:11

Apple TV+

The real-life grandson of Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal has given his verdict on the “surreal” Masters of the Air.

The new Apple TV+ series, a spiritual successor to Band of Brothers and The Pacific, follows the “Bloody Hundredth” bomb group in World War II, who suffered heavy losses across their missions.

One such operation was showcased in all of its brutal, inescapable tragedy in Episode 5, with the 100th trying to carry out a bombing raid over Munster. All but one plane were either forced to return home, downed, or reduced to rubble thousands of feet in the air – and that was flown by Rosie, portrayed by Nate Mann in the series.

The series has been praised for its attention to detail (you can read a full breakdown of the story’s accuracy so far here), and Rosie’s grandson says it’s a “dream come true.”

Rosie’s real-life grandson reacts to Masters of the Air

Speaking to NBC News, Sam Rosenthal said: “It is incredibly surreal. That’s the best word I can use not only for me but for my whole family.

“To actually see it all in live action and to witness Nate Mann’s performance portraying my grandpa after 10 years hearing about this series is a dream come true.”

Sam also has a small role in the series, playing Lt. Arthur L. Jacobson. In an interview with Reel History, he was asked if the show changed his view of his grandfather. “Growing up, I had no idea. We would attend these massive events, and everyone wanted to shake my grandpa’s hand, but I wanted his attention. I got the goofy, laughing side of him,” he said.

“When I got the opportunity to go to Thorpe Abbotts for the first time… and to see my grandpa’s set-up and everybody just excited to meet parts of the family is when the dots started connecting a little bit more, that [he] did something really heroic.”

Sam met and worked with Nate, which was “wild… we’re the same age, but then at the same time, now I’m the same age as my grandfather.”

“It felt like perfect timing and the way that the pieces came together… it was a wild and very surreal moment where I could just constantly say thank you to my grandfather for giving me this opportunity, but also for everything that he’s done,” he added.

Masters of the Air Episodes 1-6 are streaming on Apple TV+, which you can sign up for here. You can also check out our other coverage below: