I think ralph Fiennes was amazing too, but I’ve seen him as Heathcliff so many times, and Lenny in Strange Days that I wasn’t left with the negative side effects that others have mentioned. Something about those eyes. I also am impressed with his dedication to his craft in that he had to gain 30 or 40 pounds for the role.
I don’t know who the actor was in Band of Brothers, but he was the surrendering officer near the end of the movie. I thought he embodied the honorable German Officer who had never wanted anything but what was good for his country. I know that not all the German soldiers were Nazis and simply tried to make the best of a bad situation. He managed to capture this spirit, whoever he is.