History in Film: Recent Episodes
History in Film
The not-so-true story about a French criminal and his repeated escape attempts from the penal system in French Guiana.
The post Papillon (1973) appeared first on .
A docudrama featuring actual audio from a 6-year-old girl’s distress call. Our main characters are the dispatch center workers trying to send help her way.
The post The Voice of Hind Rajab (2025) appeared first on .
A largely fictionalized account of Scottish folk hero Robert Roy McGregor.
The post Rob Roy (1995) appeared first on .
You’d never guess that this film is based on actual events, but it is. Based on the non-fiction book Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy.
The post W033b: Benedetta (2021) appeared first on .
Story of Nathan Rothschild and the founding his family’s banking empire in the 19th century.
The post W043b: The House of Rothschild (1934) appeared first on .
The disappointing second season (that possibly led to its cancelation) still gives us some interesting historical tidbits to discuss.
The post W008c: Barbarians, season 2 appeared first on .
An animated short biopic about Holocaust survivor Alfred Nakache.
The post W062c: Butterfly (2025) appeared first on .
Gives the background of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 C.E. between the Romans and various Germanic tribes.
The post W008b: Barbarians, season 1 appeared first on .
Not a full biopic of Martin Luther King Jr., but a look specifically at the events that led to protesters marching from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.
The post A066: Selma (2014) appeared first on .
Apple series about the unification of the Hawaiian islands at the end of the 18th century.
The post W042a: Chief of War (2025) appeared first on .
A look at 1980 Rhodesia/Zimbabwe through the eyes of a 7-year-old English girl.
The post W081b: Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight (2025) appeared first on .
Great 4-episode limited series detailing the election and assassination of James Garfield. Does a great job making the world feel lively.
The post Death by Lightning (2025) appeared first on .
This film track the fallout from the death of Princess Diana through the eyes of the Royal family and new Prime Minister Tony Blair.
The post W086c: The Queen (2006) appeared first on .
This best picture winner details the relationship between King George VI and his speech therapist Lionel Logue.
The post W062b: The King’s Speech (2010) appeared first on .
The sheltered young princess learns to advocate for herself and falls in love during this fairly accurate story.
The post W043b: The Young Victoria (2009) appeared first on .
A quick look at the French Revolution from the English perspective. We break down the beginning of the Hanoverian Era.
The post W041b: The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) appeared first on .
A sort of superhero adventure story set during the reign of Queen Anne. While Nell is on the run, a Jacobite plot seeks to dethrone the queen.
The post W036b: Renegade Nell (2024) appeared first on .
A brutal film set during the English Civil War of the 17th century. Oliver Cromwell makes a brief appearance.
The post W035b: Witchfinder General (1968) appeared first on .
A good look at the brief life of Lady Jane Grey as she is caught up in the succession battle during and after the reign of Edward VI. A good [ … ]
The post W028b: Lady Jane (1986) appeared first on .
The story of Henry V, arguably England’s greatest warrior king.
The post W024c: The King (2019) appeared first on .
Happy Halloween! It’s 1348 and Sean Bean is on the hunt for a necromancer.
The post W022c: Black Death (2010) appeared first on .
A disappointing attempt at an edgy adaptation.
The post W022b: Edward II (1991) appeared first on .
Rebekah joins to discuss this delightful HBO series that is closer to real life than you might imagine.
The post W035c: Our Flag Means Death appeared first on .
The classic tale set during the reign of Richard I.
The post W018b: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) appeared first on .
Our first non-video discussion on the podcast. This is a British audio-play about the Conquest of England in 1066.
The post W016c: Bayeux Tapestry (2001) appeared first on .
Absolutely stuffed with historical characters, even if they play fast and loose with the actual history.
The post V07: Vikings: Valhalla, season 1 appeared first on .
Surprise side quest! Rich begins to look at the history of the English monarchy.
The post W014ab: Seven Kings Must Die (2023) appeared first on .
A look at the music scene of the 1960s as we see a young Bob Dylan help folk music go mainstream.
The post A065: A Complete Unknown (2024) appeared first on .
The actual truth will likely never be known, but Oliver Stone here lays out his case that the official story of the JFK assassination is full of holes.
The post A064: JFK (1991) appeared first on .
A film that perfectly encapsulates the terror and absurdity of the threat of nuclear war.
The post A063: Dr. Strangelove (1964) appeared first on .
The first documentary we’ve tackled in over seven years of doing the show, but we felt it was too important to skip.
The post A062: The Fog of War (2003) appeared first on .
A bit trivial compared to what we normally cover, but gives us an opportunity to discuss American culture and the history of rock ‘n’ roll.
The post A061: Priscilla (2023) appeared first on .
Spike Lee’s biopic of Malcolm X attempts to include Malcolm entire life, short as it was.
The post A060: Malcolm X (1992) appeared first on .
A wonderful form of biopic that chooses one event to focus in Truman Capote’s life as opposed to giving us his full biography. That event is the murder of the [ … ]
The post A059: Capote (2005) appeared first on .
A few Hollywood changes, but based on the true story of Homer Hickam and his friends who built their own rockets as teenagers in the late 1950s in West Virginia.
The post A058: October Sky (1999) appeared first on .
Mostly fictional, but Bloody Christmas is very much based on a real event. And it’s just a great movie!
The post A057: L.A. Confidential (1997) appeared first on .
This Korean War movie features two real-life pilots on a mission in the early days of the conflict.
The post A056: Devotion (2022) appeared first on .
Interesting look at one of the primary writers affected by the Blacklist in Hollywood during the second Red Scare.
The post A055: Trumbo (2015) appeared first on .
Not the strongest version of this story we could have gotten, but Chadwick Boseman does a great job as Jackie Robinson.
The post A054: 42 (2013) appeared first on .
This all-time cinema classic isn’t a true story, but still gives us plenty to talk about.
The post A053: The Godfather (1972) appeared first on .
Best picture winner about three soldiers returning home from the war and struggling to rejoin society.
The post A052: The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) appeared first on .
Continuing our discussion of It’s a Wonderful Life!
The post A051b: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), pt. 2 appeared first on .
This Christmas classic is obviously fictional, but there’s plenty of history and early-20th century Americana to discuss. We went long so this is part 1 of 2.
The post A051a: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), pt. 1 appeared first on .
Set at the end of the samurai era in Japan, this movie oversimplifies and outright distorts the actual history.
The post W045b: The Last Samurai (2003) appeared first on .
An instant classic that very closely parallels actual events from Japanese history.
The post W033b: Shogun (2024) appeared first on .
A tale from Arthurian legend, so nothing historic. But it gives us a chance to talk about the history of Arthurian legend itself.
The post W012b: The Green Knight (2021) appeared first on .
We continue our discussion of Robert’s Rebellion and how it set up the events of the Game of Thrones series.
The post Robert’s Rebellion, pt. 2 appeared first on .
We previously discussed the history of House Targaryen. Now we take a closer look at the events leading to Robert’s Rebellion which, in turn, sets up the original Game of [ … ]
The post Robert’s Rebellion, pt. 1 appeared first on .
Based on the Rudyard Kipling story, there are still several real life inspirations for aspects of the tale.
The post W047b: The Man Who Would Be King (1975) appeared first on .
Happy Halloween! Not the scariest movie from Alfred Hitchcock, but definitely in the thriller category. It also fits right in our timeline at the end of World War II.
The post A050c: Notorious (1946) appeared first on .
Arguably the weakest season of the series, but there’s still a lot to like. We talk about what they got right and wrong historically, and how the series ultimately stuck [ … ]
The post C06: The Crown, season 6 appeared first on .
As we hit the halfway point in our American history timeline, we pause to reflect on our progress so far and talk about what’s coming up as we plan to [ … ]
The post 1st half recap appeared first on .
Following our discussion last week, we look more at the people involved, including Oppenheimer himself and Lewis Strauss.
The post A050b: Oppenheimer (2023) pt. 2 appeared first on .
The film Oppenheimer is so big we have to split it just like the atom. In this first part we look at the science and the decision to drop the [ … ]
The post A050a: Oppenheimer (2023) pt. 1 appeared first on .
A look at the real life WWII hero Desmond Doss.
The post A049: Hacksaw Ridge (2016) appeared first on .
A fictional story, but gives us a great opportunity to discuss D-Day and the end of the European theater of WWII.
The post A048: Saving Private Ryan (1998) appeared first on .
The story behind the most iconic photograph in American military history.
The post A047: Flags of Our Fathers (2006) appeared first on .
Iconic best picture winner about US general George Patton. He was a big personality and often his own worst enemy.
The post A046: Patton (1970) appeared first on .
A look at the home front during World War II. While the characters here are fictitious, the league and the teams shown were real.
The post A045: A League of Their Own (1992) appeared first on .
A very detailed look at the lead up to the attack on Pearl Harbor from both the American and Japanese perspective.
The post A044: Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) appeared first on .
Martin Scorsese’s biopic of the eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes.
The post A043: The Aviator (2004) appeared first on .
As we prepare for World War II, we look at the life of Charlie Chaplin and discuss his lampooning of Adolf Hitler in The Great Dictator.
The post A042: Chaplin (1992) appeared first on .
Based on John Steinbeck’s novel of Oklahoma farmers moving to California during the Great Depression.
The post A041: The Grapes of Wrath (1940) appeared first on .
A bit too Hollywood, but this film gives a good look at the career of James Braddock and the Great Depression.
The post A040: Cinderella Man (2005) appeared first on .
An almost-entirely fictionalized account of Elliot Ness and his quest to bring down Al Capone.
The post A039: The Untouchables (1987) appeared first on .
We use these fictional stories to highlight Hollywood’s transition from the Silent Era to Talkies. The Jazz Singer (1927) comes up as well.
The post A038: The Artist (2011) & Singin’ in the Rain (1952) appeared first on .
Martin Scorsese’s telling of the real-life murders in the Osage communities of 1920s Oklahoma.
The post A037: Killers of the Flower Moon (2023) appeared first on .
Great look at the 1919 Chicago Black Sox scandal. We discuss what they got right and wrong and look a little deeper at some of the key figures.
The post A036: Eight Men Out (1988) appeared first on .
A look (though perhaps a boring one) into the lives of American radicals in the 1910s.
The post A035: Reds (1981) appeared first on .
The real story of Alvin York isn’t quite what we see in this film led by Gary Cooper’s Oscar-winning performance.
The post A034: Sergeant York (1941) appeared first on .
The story of perhaps the greatest athlete of all-time. Thorpe is probably best-known for winning the first-ever pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Olympics.
The post A033: Jim Thorpe — All-American (1951) appeared first on .
Based on the largely fictional novel by E.L. Doctorow, there are a handful of historical characters who also feature in this story set in the early 20th century.
The post A032: Ragtime (1981) appeared first on .
Based very loosely on the real-life Perdicaris Affair of 1904. Teddy Roosevelt takes action to liberate an American expat who is kidnapped in Morocco.
The post A031: The Wind and the Lion (1975) appeared first on .
This TV movie follows the Wright Brothers’ attempt to create the world’s first powered flying machine. Don’t watch it. Listen to us instead.
The post A030: The Winds of Kitty Hawk (1978) appeared first on .
Oil! Daniel Day Lewis is perfect as the fictional oil man Daniel Plainview who ruthlessly attempts to dominate California oil production in the early 20th century.
The post A029: There Will Be Blood (2007) appeared first on .
Screenwriter William Goldman refused to let the studios cutdown on his historical accuracy while he himself definitely overly simplified and invented things. We look at the real Butch and Sundance [ … ]
The post A028: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) appeared first on .
This Charlie Chaplin classic is set during the Klondike Gold Rush of the late-1800s. It saw many people travel through Alaska to Canada in an attempt to strike it rich.
The post A027: The Gold Rush (1925) appeared first on .
Happy Halloween! This gloomy tale is set at an off-shore lighthouse in New England near the end of the 19th century.
The post A026b: The Lighthouse (2019) appeared first on .
We use The Prestige as an excuse to discuss Nikola Tesla and the early days of electricity in the United States.
The post A026: The Prestige (2006) appeared first on .
This is a bit oversimplified and fictionalized, but still gives an okay look at the man behind the lightbulb.
The post A025: Edison, the Man (1940) appeared first on .
This HBO original film focuses on the people involved in the political fight over the Black Hills in South Dakota that led to the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890.
The post A024: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007) appeared first on .
As the outlaw career of Jesse James was winding down, an eager young criminal named Robert Ford joined his gang. This film is a fairly accurate portrayal of the final [ … ]
The post A023: The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) appeared first on .
A group of strangers travel through Apache territory on their way from Arizona to New Mexico in June of 1880.
The post A022: Stagecoach (1939) appeared first on .
Richard Harris and Sean Connery star in this story of a detective infiltrating a coal union in 1876 Pennsylvania. Based on actual events.
The post A021: The Molly Maguires (1970) appeared first on .
This Coen Brothers anthology is just a fun look at various Old West tropes while all being centered around death.
The post A020b: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018) appeared first on .
A fictionalized family drama about the O’Leary family whose cow is credited with starting the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
The post A020: In Old Chicago (1938) appeared first on .
Dustin Hoffman stars as Jack Crab, a man claiming to be the lone white survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. His life story runs him through the gamut [ … ]
The post A019: Little Big Man (1970) appeared first on .
Set in Texas from ~1868-1873, The Searchers follows two men on a quest to rescue a little girl from the Comanches who kidnapped her.
The post A018b: The Searchers (1956) appeared first on .
Another stellar performance by Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln in this film about the President’s quest to pass the 13th Amendment.
The post A018: Lincoln (2012) appeared first on .
This is a fictional story, but still gives us an opportunity to discuss Native Americans during the Civil War. We also wrap up the fighting of the Civil War itself [ … ]
The post A017: Dances with Wolves (1990) appeared first on .
A solid movie and a fairly accurate look at the 54th Massachusetts regiment of African-American soldiers during the Civil War.
The post A016: Glory (1989) appeared first on .
Fake beards and lack of blood aside, this may be the most accurate film we’ve ever discussed on the podcast.
The post A015: Gettysburg (1993) appeared first on .
Buster Keaton’s silent classic is based an actual event called the Great Locomotive Chase from April 12, 1862. While it starts out fairly accurate, it soon goes… off the rails, [ … ]
The post A014: The General (1926) appeared first on .
A fictionalized story, but set in the very real world of the Five Points slum of New York City. Some real-life figures also play important roles.
The post A013: The Gangs of New York (2002) appeared first on .
Bleeding Kansas and the radical abolitionist John Brown seen through the eyes of J.E.B. Stuart and pals.
The post A012: Santa Fe Trail (1940) appeared first on .
The harrowing true story of Solomon Northup, a free man who was captured in 1841 and sold into slavery.
The post A011: 12 Years a Slave (2013) appeared first on .
Despite the absolute craziness that is RRR, two very real men were the inspiration for it.
The post W059b: RRR (2022) appeared first on .
The harrowing story of Hugh Glass as told by Oscar-winning director Alejandro Iñárritu. Many details in the film are invented, but Glass did indeed survive a bear attack much to [ … ]
The post A010: The Revenant (2015) appeared first on .
Zorro is fictional, but there’s plenty to talk about in the true story of California in the early 1800s.
The post A009: The Mark of Zorro (1940) & The Mask of Zorro (1998) appeared first on .
A surprisingly thorough look at the life of Davy Crockett told in three vignettes.
The post A008: Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (1955) appeared first on .
Set in the early days of European settlement in the Oregon territory, First Cow offers an interesting perspective on the basics we take for granted.
The post A007b: First Cow (2020) appeared first on .
The crazy story of Jean Lafitte, the pirate who helped the United States win the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.
The post A007: The Buccaneer (1958) appeared first on .
The hit musical offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the Founding Fathers.
The post A006: Hamilton (2020) appeared first on .
We depart from the politics of the situation and look at the fighting of the Revolutionary War itself.
The post A005b: The Patriot (2000) & Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) appeared first on .
Happy New Year! This week we’re looking at the Second Continental Congress and the debate over the Declaration of Independence.
The post A005: 1776 (1972) appeared first on .
We deviate from our usual routine to nerd out about dragons!
The post House Targaryen appeared first on .
While it has nothing to do with the actual Northwest Passage, this film does introduce the real-life figure of Robert Rogers.
The post A004: Northwest Passage (1940) appeared first on .
This German production of James Fenimore Cooper’s The Deerslayer isn’t great, but does serve as a prequel to The Last of the Mohicans.
The post A003b: Chingachgook: The Great Snake (1967) appeared first on .
The Crucible was a poignant allegory for McCarthyism when first released as a play. The film adaptation may ham it up a bit with the performances, but still highlights an [ … ]
The post A003: The Crucible (1996) appeared first on .
Obviously a fictional story, but we discuss this time period in New England and the history of witchcraft.
The post A002b: The Witch (2015) appeared first on .
A group religious outcasts hires a ship to take them to the New World. We talk about what this film starring Anthony Hopkins got right and wrong.
The post A002: Mayflower: The Pilgrims’ Adventure (1979) appeared first on .
We discuss both of these films as we explore the full stories of John Smith and Pocahontas.
The post A001: Pocahontas (1995) & The New World (2005) appeared first on .
Happy Halloween! We preview our American history series with a look at this bizarre film by Nicolas Winding Refn.
The post A000: Valhalla Rising (2009) appeared first on .
We conclude our discussion of the series Vikings. Many journeys come to an end and Ubbe and company find themselves in North America.
The post V06b: Vikings, season 6, part 2 appeared first on .
We follow Ivar the Boneless to the world of the Kievan Rus’.
The post V06a: Vikings, season 6, part 1 appeared first on .
As we wrap up season 5 of Vikings, we look a little closer at Ivar the Boneless and Alfred the Great.
The post V05b: Vikings, season 5, part 2 appeared first on .
The remarkable true story of the rescue of a youth soccer team in Thailand.
The post W101: Thirteen Lives (2022) appeared first on .
Today we focus on viking exploits in the Mediterranean and the discovery of Iceland.
The post V05a: Vikings, season 5, part 1 appeared first on .
A little chaotic as this is the edited version of a full-length watch-along we did with The Ghost and the Darkness. Click here for the full watch-along on the TrackNerds [ … ]
The post W050bb: The Ghost and the Darkness (1996) appeared first on .
As we wrap up season 4 we discuss, among other things, Bjorn’s trips to the Mediterranean Sea.
The post V04b: Vikings, season 4, part 2 appeared first on .
We discuss the continued exploits of viking friends in France.
The post V04a: Vikings, season 4, part 1 appeared first on .
This time we focus on the exploits of the vikings in Francia.
The post V03b: Vikings, season 3, part 2 appeared first on .
We launch into season 3 of Vikings, focusing on Kattegat and the drama in Wessex.
The post V03a: Vikings, season 3, part 1 appeared first on .
We continue our breakdown of the second season of Vikings.
The post V02b: Vikings, season 2, part 2 appeared first on .
We launch into season 2 of Vikings, looking at the world of England at the time.
The post V02a: Vikings, season 2, part 1 appeared first on .
We continue our discussion of the first season of Vikings.
The post V01b: Vikings, season 1, part 2 appeared first on .
We begin looking at the myths, history, and legends behind the TV series Vikings.
The post V01a: Vikings, season 1, part 1 appeared first on .
In season four, we are introduced to both Margaret Thatcher and Diana Spencer.
The post C04: The Crown, season 4 appeared first on .
The cast changes, but the series continues to excel. Logan and Rich discuss season 3 as a whole.
The post C03: The Crown, season 3 appeared first on .
Logan and Rich continue their discussion of The Crown, this time focusing on the events of season 2.
The post C02: The Crown, season 2 appeared first on .
Rich and Logan dive into television to discuss the Netflix series The Crown.
The post C01: The Crown, season 1 appeared first on .
Dan and Nicole from the Twin Picks podcast join to discuss The Crown from a British and Australian perspective.
The post C00: The Crown w/ Twin Picks appeared first on .
Cleopatra and T.E. Lawrence face off to determine the most interesting person in world history.
The post WHT (5.1) CHAMPIONSHIP appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (4.2) Napoleon Bonaparte vs T.E. Lawrence appeared first on .
Based on director Kenneth Branagh’s own childhood experiences, Belfast puts a personal face on the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The post W077b: Belfast (2021) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (4.1) Cleopatra vs Genghis Khan appeared first on .
Set in 1902 during the Second Boer War in South Africa, this film follows the court martial of three Australian soldiers serving in the British army including the titular Breaker [ … ]
The post W050c: Breaker Morant (1980) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (3.4) Napoleon Bonaparte vs Empress Matilda appeared first on .
Denzel Washington stars as the notorious Scottish king in this Joel Coen adaption of the classic Shakespeare play.
The post W014c: The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (3.3) T.E. Lawrence vs Ashoka the Great appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (3.2) Genghis Khan vs Queen Elizabeth I appeared first on .
This black comedy about self-radicalized would-be-terrorists is both funny and chilling. While not based on specific people or events, it is still quite relevant.
The post W099b: Four Lions (2010) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (3.1) Cleopatra vs Puyi appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (2.8) Gandhi vs T.E. Lawrence appeared first on .
This film no longer exists in its entirety, but tells the story of the assassination of the Russian Czar Paul I.
The post W042b: The Patriot (1928) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (2.7) Cardinal Richelieu vs Queen Elizabeth I appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (2.6) Genghis Khan vs Henry VII appeared first on .
Guillermo del Toro’s gritty fairy tale is set during the aftermath of the Fascist takeover in Spain.
The post W063b: Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
The Last Duel tells the true story of two former friends in the 14th century who fight to death when one is accused of raping the wife of the other.
The post W024b: The Last Duel (2021) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (2.5) Ashoka the Great vs Ramesses II appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (2.4) Winston Churchill vs Puyi appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (2.3) Napoleon Bonaparte vs Ivan the Terrible appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (2.2) Empress Matilda vs Isabella of France appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (2.1) The Trung sisters vs Cleopatra appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (1.8) Gandhi vs Eva Peron & T.E. Lawrence vs Ip Man appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (1.7) Mozart vs Cardinal Richelieu & Elizabeth I vs Wyatt Earp appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (1.6) Genghis Khan vs Pope Julius II & Robert the Bruce vs Henry VII appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (1.5) Alexander the Great vs Ashoka the Great & Julius Caesar vs Ramesses II appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (1.4) Winston Churchill vs John Glenn & Nelson Mandela vs Puyi appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (1.3) Napoleon vs Catherine de’ Medici & Hellen Keller vs Ivan the Terrible appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (1.2) Joan of Arc vs Empress Matilda & Dracula vs Isabella of France appeared first on .
World History Tournament to find the most interesting person in history… at least among those discussed by History in Film so far.
The post WHT (1.1) Jesus vs Trung sisters & Cleopatra vs Spartacus appeared first on .
Logan and Rich discuss the history of the podcast and where it goes now that the initial world history project is complete.
The post The Past and the Future appeared first on .
That’s a wrap on world history for History in Film. We recap the final season and look forward to what’s next.
The post Recap 4 – World History appeared first on .
As the podcast nearly catches up with the present day we use Midnight in Paris to reflect on nostalgia and how people idolize the past.
The post W100: Midnight in Paris (2011) appeared first on .
A simple glimpse into ordinary life in modern Iran, this brilliant film turns into a dramatic thriller of sorts.
The post W099: About Elly (2009) appeared first on .
This film does a remarkably good job of breaking down the extremely complicated causes of the 2008 financial crash while also being very entertaining.
The post W098: The Big Short (2015) appeared first on .
Netflix’s debut feature film depicts the terrifying world of child soldiers in Africa.
The post W097: Beasts of No Nation (2015) appeared first on .
The Internet age is in full force as we take a peak into the story behind the creation of Facebook.
The post W096: The Social Network (2010) appeared first on .
A young girl in Saudi Arabia hopes to save up enough money to buy a bicycle.
The post W095: Wadjda (2012) appeared first on .
A really good movie that is surprisingly accessible despite dealing with the all-too-common problem of female genital mutilation.
The post W094: Moolaadé (2004) appeared first on .
Rich and Logan look behind the scenes of Clint Eastwood’s film about real-life expert sniper Chris Kyle.
The post W093b: American Sniper (2014) appeared first on .
We see the addictive nature of combat in Kathryn Bigelow’s Oscar winner for best picture.
The post W093: The Hurt Locker (2008) appeared first on .
A fascinating look at two Palestinian men tasked with possibly becoming suicide bombers.
The post W092: Paradise Now (2005) appeared first on .
This film is a harrowing depiction of the events of 9/11, focusing specifically on the delayed flight United 93. Passengers realized what was happening and attempted to retake the plane [ … ]
The post W091: United 93 (2006) appeared first on .
A great look at the war on drugs in the United States and Mexico from all levels of society. Steven Soderbergh won the Oscar for best director and Benicio Del [ … ]
The post W090: Traffic (2000) appeared first on .
A look at a modern day Maori tribe in New Zealand. Keisha Castle-Hughes remains one of the youngest women ever to be nominated for best actress at the Oscars.
The post W089: Whale Rider (2002) appeared first on .
Through the lens of a character story, we see Afghanistan’s fall from a modernized country to one under the thumb of the repressive Taliban.
The post W088: The Kite Runner (2007) appeared first on .
Another Oscar-winning foreign film, The Sea Inside tells the true story of a quadriplegic man fighting for the right to end his own life. Rich and Logan also discuss the [ … ]
The post W087: The Sea Inside (2004) appeared first on .
After being released from prison and elected president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela seeks to use rugby to unite the country.
The post W086b: Invictus (2009) appeared first on .
This Oscar-winning foreign film gives a glimpse into the conflicts that unfolded during the collapse of Yugoslavia.
The post W086: No Man’s Land (2001) appeared first on .
A heartbreaking film depicting the true story of a hotel manager struggling to keep his family and thousands of others safe during the Rwandan genocide.
The post W085: Hotel Rwanda (2004) appeared first on .
As East Berlin opens back up to the West, a son must protect his mother’s fragile health. He tries to replicate the Communist world that fell while she was in [ … ]
The post W084: Good Bye Lenin! (2003) appeared first on .
Merry Christmas! Historical icons Bill S. Preston and Ted “Theodore” Logan travel through time and abduct historical figures so they can pass their high school history final.
The post W083b: Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) appeared first on .
A small story from tribal life in the South Pacific. Based on an actual event and featuring actual tribe members as the cast.
The post W083: Tanna (2015) appeared first on .
A powerful film about a woman seeking an abortion in communist Romania.
The post 82b: 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days (2007) appeared first on .
Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson is recruited to help the people of Afghanistan. He’s in a unique position to get them the resources they need to fight off a Russian invasion.
The post W082: Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) appeared first on .
This story follows the gangs of the Cidade de Deus favela of Rio de Janeiro from roughly the late-60s to early 80s. It’s also an all-time great film.
The post W081: City of God (2002) appeared first on .
Western journalists are on the front lines as Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge ruthlessly take control of Cambodia. They want to expose the atrocities, but need to make sure [ … ]
The post W080: The Killing Fields (1984) appeared first on .
Following the massacre at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Israel seeks vengeance on the perpetrators.
The post W079: Munich (2005) appeared first on .
Forest Whitaker gives a terrifying performance as Idi Amin, the charming and homicidal dictator of Uganda in the 1970s.
The post W078: The Last King of Scotland (2006) appeared first on .
The quagmire of the Vietnam War is on full display in Oliver Stone’s Oscar winner for Best Picture.
The post W077: Platoon (1986) appeared first on .
Linda Hunt steals this show in this drama following journalists during the 30 September Movement in Indonesia in 1965.
The post W076: The Year of Living Dangerously (1982) appeared first on .
Happy Halloween! Director David Fincher explores the mystery of the Zodiac serial killer who terrorized northern California in the late 60s and early 70s.
The post W075b: Zodiac (2007) appeared first on .
Hope everyone is staying safe this summer. Rich and Logan give a lengthy recap of the first half (and change) of the 20th century and the movies they discussed in [ … ]
The post 3rd Hiatus – recap appeared first on .
The space race and Cold War are on full blast. A crop of young test pilots fight to see if they have what it takes to be the first U.S. [ … ]
The post W075: The Right Stuff (1983) appeared first on .
Patrice Lumumba strives for an independent Congo, but struggles against all the various factions at play.
The post W074: Lumumba (2000) appeared first on .
The native Algerian population has had enough of French control. Terrorism and torture leave neither side as the “good guy” in this conflict.
The post W073: The Battle of Algiers (1966) appeared first on .
Edward R. Murrow publicly challenges Senator Joseph McCarthy’s aggressive campaign targeting supposed Communists in the United States.
The post W072: Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005) appeared first on .
A formative journey in the life of Che Guevara before he became world famous as a revolutionary.
The post W071: The Motorcycle Diaries (2004) appeared first on .
A weak film, but one that does offer a good look into the life of Argentinian first lady Eva Peron.
The post W070: Evita (1996) appeared first on .
In post-war Japan, a government bureaucrat wonders what the point of his whole life has been.
The post W069b: Ikiru (1952) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
Biopic of Puyi, the last of thousands of years of Chinese emperors. From God-Emperor to playboy to political prisoner to gardener, he lived one of the most unique lives in [ … ]
The post W069: The Last Emperor (1987) appeared first on .
The man who essentially kicked the British out of India using only a policy of non-violent resistance.
The post W068: Gandhi (1982) appeared first on .
In order to prove Polynesia could have been populated by native South Americans, Thor Heyerdahl built a raft in 1947 to attempt the journey himself.
The post W067: Kon Tiki (2012) appeared first on .
A depressingly poignant story following a young brother and sister hoping to survive the Allied bombings of Japan in 1945.
The post W066b: Grave of the Fireflies (1988) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
Japanese soldiers prepare for a battle they expect to lose as WWII winds to a close.
The post W066: Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) appeared first on .
The final days of Adolph Hitler as witnessed by his personal secretary.
The post W065: Downfall (2004) appeared first on .
A great film, but one full of historical inaccuracies. Alan Turing leads the British effort to decrypt German messages during WWII.
The post W064b: The Imitation Game (2014) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
Logan and Rich breakdown the historical accuracy of Spielberg’s classic and explore the characters outside of the film’s narrative.
The post W064: Schindler’s List (1993) appeared first on .
This all-time classic takes place during the early stages of WWII in French occupied Morocco. Rick’s former lover hopes to convince him to help get her husband out of the [ … ]
The post W063: Casablanca (1942) appeared first on .
Japan invades China as the world is about to descend into a second World War. Long before training Bruce Lee, Ip Man begins teaching Wing Chun.
The post W062: Ip Man (2008) appeared first on .
Martin Scorsese explores film history. A young boy happens upon pioneering director George Melies in a Paris train station.
The post W061b: Hugo (2011) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
During the Weimar Republic in Germany, a naive Englishman meets a rambunctious American girl. A growing Nazi threat looms in the background.
The post W061: Cabaret (1972) appeared first on .
In 1926 China, a US Navy ship patrols the Yangtze River.
The post W060b: The Sand Pebbles (1966) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
The right to teach evolution in the classroom is challenged in this film based on the famous Scopes monkey trial.
The post W060: Inherit the Wind (1960) appeared first on .
Ireland joins the revolution game and tries to throw off the shackles of the British Empire.
The post W059: The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006) appeared first on .
Marlon Brando stars as Emiliano Zapata as we dive into the Mexican Civil War.
The post W058: Viva Zapata! (1952) appeared first on .
An epic romance set against Russia’s 1917 revolutions and the subsequent civil war.
The post W057: Doctor Zhivago (1965) appeared first on .
This Stanley Kubrick classic explores the practice of executing soldiers for cowardice. Kirk Douglas stars.
The post W056b: Paths of Glory (1957) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
This week we dig into the trenches of World War I and the disillusionment of the common soldier.
The post W056: All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) appeared first on .
T.E. Lawrence aims to help the Arabs in their quest for self-governance in the middle of the first World War. Peter O’Toole stars.
The post W055: Lawrence of Arabia (1962) appeared first on .
Our first look at World War I focuses on the Gallipoli campaign pitting Aussie forces against the Ottoman Empire.
The post W054: Gallipoli (1981) appeared first on .
Set in the 1910s in Bengal, this film shows us a poor, but loving, family struggling to make a living.
The post W053: Pather Panchali (1955) appeared first on .
We had to tackle one of the most iconic movies of all-time and what really went down with this famous shipwreck.
The post W052b: Titanic (1997) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
Parallel stories in 1909 and 1940 with white men venturing into the Amazon with the shaman Karamakate as their guide.
The post W052: Embrace of the Serpent (2015) appeared first on .
Set against the pogroms against Jews in Russia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Fiddler on the Roof shows the poor milk farmer Tevye deal with marrying off [ … ]
The post W051b: Fiddler on the Roof (1971) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
In the midst of the 1905 Russian Revolution, the crew of the Potemkin revolts against harsh treatment.
The post W051: Battleship Potemkin (1925) appeared first on .
H.G. Wells follows Jack the Ripper to 1979 San Francisco. What’s not to love?!
The post W050b: Time After Time (1979) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
Happy Independence Day! Logan Dehning joins Rich from Afghanistan to review the 2nd quarter of the History in Film project which brought us from the mid-15th century up to the [ … ]
The post 2nd Hiatus – recap appeared first on .
Famed French author Emile Zola puts his reputation on the line to defend the most hated man in France.
The post W050: The Life of Emile Zola (1937) appeared first on .
A family friend investigates the death of Vincent van Gogh and attempts to deliver his final letter to his brother.
The post W049: Loving Vincent (2017) appeared first on .
The story of Annie Sullivan’s breakthrough in working with a young Helen Keller.
The post W048: The Miracle Worker (1962) appeared first on .
The Earp brothers and Doc Holliday had planned to simply live a quiet life in retirement in Tombstone, Arizona. The local Cowboy gang, however, had to be dealt with by [ … ]
The post W047: Tombstone (1993) appeared first on .
The mighty Zulu of South Africa prove to be a much larger threat than the British gave them credit for.
The post W046: Zulu (1964) appeared first on .
Harsh conditions in Europe forced millions to seek better lives elsewhere. The film follows one such family from Sweden.
The post W045: The Emigrants (1971) appeared first on .
As tensions over the institution of slavery increase in the United States, a shipful of illegally acquired Africans escape only to be recaptured and brought before the U.S. legal system.
The post W044: Amistad (1997) appeared first on .
British dominance of the seas was likely the only thing that prevented Napoleon from invading England. This fictional take offers a great look at life at sea during the Napoleonic [ … ]
The post W043: Master and Commander (2003) appeared first on .
This five-and-a-half-hour monster is still plenty entertaining and educational! It starts a year before the storming of the Bastille and runs through the Reign of Terror.
The post W042: The French Revolution (1989) appeared first on .
Today we meet Marie Antoinette and see the beginning of the French Revolution.
The post W041: Farewell, My Queen (2012) appeared first on .
Fellow composer Antonio Salieri is jealous of the talent of the irreverent Mozart and secretly hopes to ruin him.
The post W040: Amadeus (1984) appeared first on .
Poor King George III is at risk of losing his throne to his son if he can’t regain his right mind.
The post W039: The Madness of King George (1994) appeared first on .
Stay alive! A romantic adventure starring Daniel Day-Lewis set during the French and Indian War. www.tracknerds.com
The post W038: The Last of the Mohicans (1992) appeared first on .
Myn Bala tells the story of Kazakh legend Sartai as he hopes to rally his people against the oppressive Dzungar Khanate. www.tracknerds.com
The post W037: Myn Bala (2016) appeared first on .
First time doing an episode on a movie still in theaters. The Favourite fits perfectly in our timeline here as a film about yet another English monarch.
The post W035b: The Favourite (2018) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
Two Jesuit priests travel to Japan to find their spiritual mentor at a time when Christians are not welcome in Japan.
The post W036: Silence (2016) appeared first on .
Today we meet 17th-century Hindu spiritual leader Tukaram. www.tracknerds.com
The post W035: Tukaram (2012) appeared first on .
Happy New Year! Today we look at the world of Alexandre Dumas’s famous trio.
The post W034: The Three Musketeers (1973) appeared first on .
Merry Christmas! Today’s film is an imagined look at the life of a young William Shakespeare during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
The post W033: Shakespeare in Love (1997) appeared first on .
The story of a real-life Venetian courtesan in the late 16th century. www.tracknerds.com
The post W032: Dangerous Beauty (1998) appeared first on .
We return to D.W. Griffith’s silent epic to explore the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre in 16th century France. www.tracknerds.com
The post W031: Intolerance (1916) pt. 2 appeared first on .
The search for the legendary city of El Dorado through the perilous jungles of the Amazon takes its toll on a party of Spaniards. The ruthless Aguirre thinks he’s a [ … ]
The post W030: Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972) appeared first on .
Ivan IV, Grand Prince of Moscow declares himself the first Tsar of Russia. The powerful boyars challenge him, but the fierce Ivan always has the last word. www.tracknerds.com
The post W029: Ivan the Terrible (1944) appeared first on .
Thomas More proves to be a constant thorn in the side of King Henry VIII as he plans to divorce Catherine of Aragon and marry Anne Boleyn. www.tracknerds.com
The post W028: A Man for All Seasons (1966) appeared first on .
Charlton Heston stars as legendary artist Michelangelo who is tasked with painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Pope Julius II. www.tracknerds.com
The post W027: The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965) appeared first on .
I guess we can call this season 2 as I get started on the 2nd quarter of this project of working through world history one movie at time. We pick [ … ]
The post W026: Richard III (1955) appeared first on .
Happy Halloween! Today we discuss the historical Dracula as seen in the 1979 Romanian film Vlad Tepes. www.tracknerds.com
The post W025b: Vlad Tepes (1979) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
I’m going on hiatus until Election Day 2018. This is a quick recap of the ground we’ve covered so far. Thanks for listening!
The post 1st Hiatus – recap appeared first on .
This film depicts the trial and execution of Joan of Arc. I get into the backstory and context that illustrate just what a travesty it was.
The post W025: The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) appeared first on .
A group of Korean diplomats put themselves in the middle of a feud between the Chinese and the Mongols.
The post W024: The Warrior (2001) appeared first on .
A just-for-fun movie using a Medieval setting. A cameo by the historical figure the Black Prince makes it worth a brief discussion.
The post W023b: A Knight’s Tale (2001) appeared first on .
In this Swedish classic by Ingmar Bergman we follow a knight returning home to find his country in the grips of the Black Death.
The post W023: The Seventh Seal (1957) appeared first on .
Freedom! William Wallace leads Scotland against oppressive English rule in this popular, but historically dubious film.
The post W022: Braveheart (1995) appeared first on .
We head to Russia for the first time and as Alexander Nevsky leads at the Battle on the Ice in this pre-WWII propaganda film.
The post W021: Alexander Nevsky (1938) appeared first on .
Two ski-bound Norwegian warriors are charged with protecting the infant heir to the throne!
The post W020: The Last King (2016) appeared first on .
A Mayan kingdom flees across the Gulf of Mexico to settle in what is now the United States.
The post W019: Kings of the Sun (1963) appeared first on .
Audio version of my annual blog post about the best movies of the year.
The post My favorite movies of 2017 appeared first on .
A young Mongolian man rises to become one of the most powerful warlords in history – Genghis Khan. Here’s the facebook page to the artist singing at the end of [ … ]
The post W018: Mongol (2007) appeared first on .
More from the life of Henry II as he feuds with his family. Jump to 4:19 if you want to skip over my process and get right to the movie.
The post W017b: The Lion in Winter (1968) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
King Henry II of England clashes with Thomas Becket, his best friend whom he appointed to Archbishop of Canterbury.
The post W017: Becket (1964) appeared first on .
11th century – A young English man travels to Persia to learn the medical arts from one of history’s greatest scholars.
The post W016: The Physician (2013) appeared first on .
In 11th century Japan, two noble children are kidnapped and sold into slavery. Sansho the Bailiff is a dark, slice-of-life tale of these two children hoping to reconnect with their [ … ]
The post W015: Sansho the Bailiff (1954) appeared first on .
I very briefly discuss Monty Python’s comedy classic and why in the world it’s set in the year 932 CE. I also address a listener question about the age of [ … ]
The post #14b Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
689 CE – Mysterious forces are conspiring to prevent China’s Empress Wu from formally taking the throne. Detective Dee is recruit to solve the case.
The post W014: Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (2010) appeared first on .
In 610 CE, God speaks to Muhammad who will change the world with his new faith – Islam.
The post W013: The Message (1976) appeared first on .
Today we look at the legendary tale of King Arthur and his sword Excalibur while exploring the history of the island of Great Britain.
The post W012: Excalibur (1981) appeared first on .
China’s Han dynasty is about to fall. The three factions that will rule during the subsequent Three Kingdoms period clash at the Battle of Red Cliffs.
The post W011: Red Cliff (2008) appeared first on .
Marcus Aurelius is succeeded by his lesser son Commodus as cracks start to show on the visage of the Roman Empire. Both The Fall of the Roman Empire and Gladiator [ … ]
The post W010: The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964), Gladiator (2000) appeared first on .
Did two episodes this week! This is just a brief look at Ben-Hur that ties in, through Jesus, to our episode on The Last Temptation of Christ. If you have [ … ]
The post W009b: Ben-Hur (1959) [BONUS EPISODE] appeared first on .
Willem Defoe stars in Martin Scorsese’s controversial take on the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis.
The post W009: The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) appeared first on .
A lot of historical ground is covered here as Rome goes from a republic to an empire, triggered by the assassination of Julius Caesar. Octavius stands ready to fill to [ … ]
The post W008: Cleopatra (1963) appeared first on .
Not long before Rome fell from Republic to Empire, the slave Spartacus led a massive revolt and thwarted Roman armies for two years.
The post W007: Spartacus (1960) appeared first on .
Jet Li’s nameless warrior relates to the Emperor of Qin how he defeated three assassins who have been plaguing the kingdom. China will soon be united for the first time.
The post W006: Hero (2002) appeared first on .
Today we’re in ancient India with a Bollywood production. The Maurya Empire was founded by Chandragupta in the wake of Alexander the Great’s empire. Asoka opens with an elderly Chandragupta [ … ]
The post W005: Asoka (2001) appeared first on .
Intolerance tells four parallel stories of people dealing with the intolerance of others. Today we’ll follow the storyline of the fall of Babylon in 539 BCE.
The post W004: Intolerance (1916) pt. 1 appeared first on .
Mostly legend, Troy does still offer several topics for historical discussion. Brad Pitt stars as Achilles.
The post W003: Troy (2004) appeared first on .
DreamWorks animation tackles the Biblical story of Moses, voiced by Val Kilmer. I use the opportunity to briefly discuss the history of Egypt as well.
The post W002: Prince of Egypt (1998) appeared first on .
Today we look at our prehistoric ancestors as they attempt to master the element of fire. Ron Perlman co-stars.
The post W001: Quest for Fire (1981) appeared first on .
Welcome to the History in Film podcast! My goal to tell the story of human history using movies as our launching point. For this intro episode I just explain the [ … ]
The post W000: Introduction, The Tragedy of Man (2011) appeared first on .