Welcome to Reel History! On this podcast we talk about historical movies and television shows, anything that claims to be based on a true story, and we check – how bad did they mess it up? What was life actually like during that time period? That’s why we’re here – to separate the real history from the Reel History!
Hosted by two Irish history buffs and a Swede who doesn’t know anything about history. Part of the Shows What You Know podcast network. Follow us @Reel_History and don’t forget to rate and review on Apple Podcasts!
Today, we dive into the rise of one of Ireland’s most iconic and celebrated leaders—Brian Boru, the High King. In the popular psyche, Brian Boru is known as the King who would unite the Irish clans and stand against the Viking invaders. But was this really true? What is the Real History of Ireland’s most famous king?
From his beginnings as a minor king in Munster to his rise as a national hero who reshaped the political landscape of Ireland, Brian Boru’s journey is one of ambition, warfare, and resilience. His legacy is cemented in Irish history, not just for his military triumphs, but for his vision of a unified Ireland.
Join us as we explore Brian Boru’s meteoric rise to power, his battles for control, and the defining moments that led to the legendary Battle of Clontarf. This is part one of a Reel History special topic: The Rise of Brian Boru.
Welcome to the finale of Season 4 of Reel History! In this episode we look back at our past season, answer listener questions and hand out the Mel Gibson Awards to the least historically accurate films. With the assistance of some colourful buzzers, Mark and Jakob face off in a film/history quiz that proves once and for all if Jakob knows anything about history!
Thank you so much for listening to this season, please keep an eye on the feed for some upcoming specials and visit PATREON.COM/REELHISTORYPODCAST for exclusive bonus podcasts between seasons.
‘What a pity the man wasn’t lazy ’ remarked the wily French diplomat Talleyrand as he later lamented on how Napoleon’s restless energy had led him to dominate Europe and the age against all odds. But of course, you know all this dear listener as you’ve already accompanied us on the first two episodes of our whirlwind tour covering the first French emperor’s incredible rise and reign! So join us for our conclusion to this trilogy as we follow the heady high’s and disastrous defeats of the Grand Armée and test whether Napoleon was right when he famously claimed that ‘there is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous’.
Mark kicks off our exploration with the Battle of Austerlitz, famously dubbed the “Battle of the Three Emperors”, where Napoleon’s military genius reached its zenith, securing a decisive victory over the combined forces of Russia and Austria. From there, we witness the defeat of Prussia, the smashing of the Holy Roman Empire, and the implementation of the “Continental System”, which sought to cripple Britain’s economy. But it wasn’t all conquests and triumphs. After promptly dumping Josephine in favour of an alliance with Austria, Napoleon’s foundations start to crumble and the Russian campaign proves to be his undoing, with the 6th coalition chasing him back to France after the fire of Moscow and the disasterous battle of Leipzig. Still, he doesn’t give up without a fight, winning 4 battles in 5 days but still losing his crown and his country through forced abdication in 1814.
Now, if this was a horror movie it’d be the part where you think the monster is dead but it bursts out of the rubble for a final slash. In Napoleon’s case, this was his return to France in 1815 for a famous 100 days. You’ll have to listen to find out how this great adventure concludes, but let’s just say that a famous ABBA song might give you a hint. That’s right, he became a Dancing Queen! Just kidding – we’re talking Waterloo.
Our 3-part Napoleon series brings us towards the end of Reel History Season 4. Join us next time for our Season Finale and look forward to a bonus Napoleon episode coming shortly to patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast.
“The revolution is over… I AM the revolution!” proclaimed Mark dramatically as we recently sat down to record this second sortie into our trilogy on the man behind the myth – Napoleon!
No, but seriously, these were the confidently spoken words of a 30-year-old 1st Consul Bonaparte in 1800 as he presented himself as saviour to the war-weary French at the dawn of a new century. But cessez-le-feu and let’s not be getting ahead of ourselves; we first take a rapid-fire look at the key events that allowed this plucky provincial general to seize power and install himself and Josephine rent-free in Louis XVI’s former apartments in the Tuileries Palace.
Now, watching Ridley Scott’s film could easily lead you to believe that Napoleon’s real motivation for conquering Europe was to win the heart and approval of his wife and one-time obsession, Josephine. Allow us, therefore, to supply the vital context glaringly missing from the film for the momentous events which shaped the fortunes of Napoleon, his family, and the age. Along the way, we will dish out the gossip on the affairs, love letters and tremendous lovers’ tiffs which made Josephine and Napoleon’s relationship a worthy rival to Anthony and Cleopatra’s! We’ll then embark on a journey across the Mediterranean to find out why both Napoleon and revolutionary France were so keen to invade Egypt in 1798. Learn the truth behind this often rose-tinted misadventure which would later lead Napoleon to ruefully claim ‘If I had stayed in the east, I would have founded an empire like Alexander’.
Digging deeper, we examine how Napoleon used his skills as a master propagandist to emulate his hero Caesar to win over the hearts of his soldiers and the public on his ruthless ascent to the imperial throne. This cunningly crafted image of the young hero would supposedly cement the gains of the revolution while putting a full stop to the chaos it unleashed – a compelling tale that would enable him to carry out his coup d’état of 18 Brumaire. Building on this, we will examine the pivotal battles and military tactics employed by Napoleon to effectively crush all in his wake as he astounded France’s increasingly desperate enemies with victory after victory. Finally, we will learn about Napoleon’s meritocratic (if autocratic) imperial regime and its enduring civil reforms which continue to shape the modern world long after the last shot rang out at Waterloo.
As Napoleon’s foreign minister Talleyrand once said of the new consul ‘If he lasts a year, he’ll go far!’. Well, he certainly lasted longer than that, so make sure to join us next time when we put a bow on this trilogy and learn what happened when the stakes (and number of coalitions) got higher and higher, and fortune finally turned on the Emperor.
Load the canon, survey the battlefield and hold onto your bicorne as we take aim at Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ (2023)! Much like Napoleon’s Grande Armée in Russia, we’ve bitten off more than we can chew (in just one episode) so will be delivering up a thrilling trilogy to do justice to the triumphs and follies of the French Emperor who Churchill described as the greatest man of action since Julius Caesar.
Naturally, any person whose name alone is used to describe an entire era (1799- 1815) will divide opinion. Was he a usurping Corsican ogre hell bent on bloody conquest or a military genius and visionary civic reformer embodying the enlightenment on horseback?
Join us in this first episode as we sort fact from fiction while watching Michael and Mark’s blood boil as Ridley Scott triggers history buffs everywhere by firing a grapeshot volley through historical accuracy!
But we’re not just here to talk about Ridley’s bullish disregard for history (no matter how beautifully shot the cinematography is! As usual, we will use the film to delve deep into the compelling real life of this singular character whose whirlwind rise from the fermant of the French Revolution had the old world rulers of Europe trembling in their silk stockings.
We’ll first examine his provincial origins, family life and military upbringing before turning our attention to his genius for propaganda that propelled his meteoric rise. We will then chart his unlikely course from canny artillery officer at Toulon to rockstar republican general whose novel tactics left his opponents both political and military in a stupor… and all before he reached the tender age of 30!
Sources – ‘Le grand Atlas de Napoléon (2021) – ‘Napoleon The Great’ by Andrew Roberts (2014) – ‘ Napoleon: The Man behind the Myth’ by Adam Zamoyski (2018) – ‘Napoleonic Wars’ by Charles Esdaile (2007)
Robin Hood (1991) | A Thief & Two Kings (1194)
Mar 28, 2024
“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” catapults audiences into the heart of medieval England, where the legendary outlaw Robin Hood leads a band of merry men in a daring revolt against tyranny and injustice. Directed by Kevin Reynolds and starring Kevin Costner in the titular role, this epic adventure weaves together action, romance, and heroism in a timeless tale of courage and camaraderie.
OR, as Mark prefers to describe it: “Nottingham” catapults audiences into the fascinating life of the off-beat heroic Sheriff of Nottingham as he tries to hold the realm together in the face of petty criminals being led by a jealous noble who has returned from an ill-conceived war in the East which brought nothing but hardship and death.
Set against the backdrop of a war-torn England ruled by the ruthless Sheriff of Nottingham (portrayed by Alan Rickman in a scene-stealing performance), the film follows Robin of Locksley as he returns from the Crusades to find his homeland ravaged by corruption and oppression. Determined to right the wrongs inflicted upon his people, Robin takes up the mantle of the hooded outlaw, stealing from the rich to give to the poor!
Daring heists, exhilarating skirmishes and heart-pounding chases through the ancient forests of Sherwood. The film’s best quality is a scenery-chewing performance from Alan Rickman, so powerful Costner may as well have stayed on a ranch in the American west or whatever.
You’ve heard the legend of Robin Hood and his merry men, you’ve probably even heard the name Richard the Lionheart. But did any of this really happen? Was a Cult-leading satanist Sheriff really in charge of England, defied only by a rich man who has decided to slum it with the plebs? Join us on Reel History and find out!
Side note: The accompanying song by Bryan Adams is a crime against culture.
Malcolm X (1992) | American Civil Rights (1965)
Mar 14, 2024
“That’s too much power for one man to have,” said police Captain Green when, with a mere wave of his hand, Malcolm X dispersed an entire crowd of the Nation of Islam.
It’s time we took in a Spike Lee joint!
“Malcolm X” tells the gripping story of one of the most influential figures in the American civil rights movement. Directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington in an Oscar-nominated performance, the film chronicles the transformation of Malcolm Little, a small-time criminal who becomes one of the most outspoken and polarizing leaders of his time. Born into poverty and racism, Malcolm X’s journey takes him from his troubled youth in Lansing, Michigan, to his tumultuous years in Harlem, New York. In prison, Malcolm discovers the teachings of the Nation of Islam and undergoes a profound spiritual awakening. Renaming himself Malcolm X, he emerges as a charismatic and uncompromising advocate for Black empowerment, challenging America to confront its legacy of oppression and inequality.
But as Malcolm’s influence grows, so does the resistance against him. The master begins to fear the apprentice as Elijah Muhammad wonders if he has found a star much brighter than his own. Painful revelations about the supposed prophet drive Malcolm to question much, bringing him to a breaking point with the Nation of Islam whereupon he eventually takes his place among the greatest civil rights leaders of the century. Denzel Washington delivers a tour de force performance as Malcolm X, capturing his charisma, intellect, and inner turmoil with impressive nuance.
So, join 3 white Europeans as we discuss this gripping and thought-provoking exploration of race and identity in 20th Century America.
King Arthur (2004) | Dark Age Britain (410 CE)
Feb 29, 2024
In episode 4 of Season 4 we’re diving into the 2004 film adaptation of King Arthur, marketed as the epitome of historical accuracy but leaving much to be desired. With a star-studded cast led by Clive Owen and Keira Knightley, the film aimed to elevate the Arthurian legend to new heights but ultimately stumbled in its execution. Join us as we dissect the discrepancies between cinematic portrayal and historical reality, using this film as a launchpad to explore the enigmatic legend of King Arthur.
From the very first frame, where the claim “Historians Agree” sets the stage, we debunk the notion of consensus around the Arthurian legend and scrutinize the film’s depiction of native peoples, dubbed “Wodes,” even though they’re clearly Picts. Venturing beyond the silver screen, we delve into the origins of the Arthurian myth, tracing its evolution from ancient folklore to modern-day interpretations. Through discussions on Roman conquests, the construction of Hadrian’s Wall, and the tumultuous fall of Roman Britain, we unearth the historical foundations upon which the legend of King Arthur is built.
Sources
“The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” by Edward Gibbon
“The Twelve Caesars” by Suetonius
“The First Kingdom: Britain in the Age of Arthur” by Max Adams
We delve deep into the world of Grigori Rasputin, the Siberian mystic whose influence over the last Tsar of Russia and his family altered the course of history. Adding onto our Anastasia episode on the main feed, the Rasputin Special takes you on a journey through the life, legends, and controversies surrounding one of history’s most enigmatic figures.
Join us as we explore Rasputin’s humble beginnings in a small Siberian village, his rise to power within the Russian court, and his role as the confidante of Tsarina Alexandra. We’ll dissect the myths and unveil the truths behind his supposed mystical powers, his political influence, and his notorious lifestyle that both fascinated and scandalized the Russian aristocracy.
Anastasia (1997) | Fall of the House of Romanov (1917)
Feb 15, 2024
This is our PATREON’S CHOICE of Season 4 – a vote was put to our Patrons and Anastasia was the top pick! If you want to influence future topic selection, and get a Fabergé egg’s worth of bonus episodes for a mere 3 rubels, head to patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast
Step into the fantastical world of animated royalty and historical intrigue as we take on the tall tale of Anastasia Romanov. Hold onto your tiaras, because this isn’t just a fairy tale – we’re diving deep into the tumultuous history of the Romanov dynasty and the seismic events that led to their downfall.
We can’t resist the allure of rewinding all the way to the origins of Russia as a country – trust us, it’s relevant! To grasp the significance of the Romanovs and their iron-fisted reign, we need to take a step back, since this royal house held absolute sway over the Russian Empire for an astounding 300 years. We’ll explore a complex web of political unrest, economic disparity, and social upheaval, uncovering the myriad factors that contributed to the Romanovs’ downfall.
But amidst the opulence and power, there’s a lingering mystery that has captured imaginations for decades – the conspiracy theory of Anastasia Romanov’s survival. We delve into the fascinating lore surrounding Anastasia’s alleged escape from the clutches of revolutionaries, and why relatively recent historical evidence debunks this myth. Join us as we go beyond the animation into the annals of history and uncover the truths, myths, and mysteries surrounding one of the most fascinating dynasties in European history.
Oh, and if you think we forgot about Rasputin, please stay tuned for next week.
Welcome to another Reel History Patreon Preview! You can find the full 1 hour bonus show at patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast, along with a dozen additional bonus shows, all available for merely 3 drachmas per month! This time we’re exploring the rediscovery of the ancient city of Troy by amateur archeologist/dynamite enthusiast Heinrich Schliemann. Forget about your modern-day archeology brushes and bring out the explosives, as this is a trip back in time to the 1800s.
Heinrich Schliemann (1822-1890) was like the Indiana Jones of his day, but somehow managing to take worse care of his findings than Indy and his antagonists. Schliemann wasn’t your average history buff – he was more like a wrecking ball, crashing through ancient sites with all the subtlety of a bull in a china shop. He made his fortune in business, then decided to blow it all up, literally, on his archaeological pursuits. First stop: Turkey. He’s convinced that Troy is real, so he goes full Rambo on this place called Hisarlik. Dynamite here, dynamite there, and voila! He’s got himself a “discovered” ancient city. The locals must’ve loved the fireworks show. You found a lot of shiny stuff, but at what cost, Heinrich?
Jokes aside – while Schliemann’s methods were about as subtle as a sledgehammer, and his interpretations mixed fact and ficiton frivolously, proper archeological methodology just didn’t exist at the time. The mistakes of Schliemann and his contemporaries is WHY we use those tiny brushes now; we learned from our mistakes. And despite all the critisism, his work helped raised interest in the classics, in archeology and (okay here’s another bad one) he may have popularised the swastika back in Germany? Oops?
Troy (2004) | The Rage of Achilles (1175 BCE)
Feb 01, 2024
What awaits you on this episode? GLORY! TAKE IT! ITS YOURS!
Yes, we are paraphrasing the awful dialogue delivered haplessly by Brad Pitt in the 2004 Wolfgang Petersen epic, Troy.
Loosely (very loosely) based on the Homeric poem, the Iliad, the movie explores the legendary Trojan War, a conflict sparked by the love affair between Paris, Prince of Troy, and Helen, Queen of Sparta. Starring Brad Pitt as the warrior Achilles, Eric Bana as Hector, and Orlando Bloom as Paris, the film boasts a star-studded cast. Which sounds great, right? Sigh. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of the Bronze Age world, where the powerful Achaeans (Greeks) led by Brian Cox’s Agamemnon and Peter O’Toole’s Priam, King of Troy are on the brink of war. Agamemnon the ambitious king of Mycenae, seeks to expand his influence by conquering Troy. To achieve this, he manipulates the legendary warrior Achilles into joining the Greek forces. As the armies clash on the shores of Troy, the film portrays the brutal and visceral nature of ancient warfare.
Except not really.
But what is the Iliad actually about? What was life really like during the Bronze Age? Did Troy really exist? What about this horse you’ve heard about? Join us as we separate the REAL history from the REEL history!
Parrots, peg legs, jolly rogers and rum! Join us for a Patreon Preview that explains which of these tropes have a basis in reality and which are utter parrot’s guano. This is a preview and you can find the full bonus episode at patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast
Our Patreon has bonus episodes to go along with our main show; you can think of these as the director’s cut, as they cover topics we didn’t have time for on the main feed. So for example, for the first episode of season 4, Pirates of the Caribbean, we actually created TWO bonus episodes, each one hour long, and today we’re sharing part of one of these. On our Patreon you can also find our discussion on the Top 5 Pirate Women in history.
Please enjoy some extra pirate content, and we’ll see you back here with a regular episode on Thursday. Yarr!
Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) | Golden Age of Piracy (1650–1730)
Jan 18, 2024
Ahoy and welcome to the highly anticipated Season 4 premiere of Reel History! We’re back with another 10-episode season, releasing biweekly on Thursdays. Beyond our usual eps you’ll find bonus discussions delving deeper into these topics on the Reel History Patreon – thank you to our Patrons for bringing this season to life! Join now and get immediate access to over a dozen bonus episodes for as little as three doubloons a month: https://www.patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast
In this episode, we set sail on a thrilling adventure as we explore the Golden Age of Piracy through the lens of the iconic film “Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl” (2003). As the crew gathers in the studio, the excitement is palpable, and the rum is flowing.
Of course piracy isn’t something new or unique to the Caribbean, so we start with a brief history of ancient piracy – did you know the Latin word for the Irish basically means pirate? We explain the problem with privateers and sort out what the heck a buccaneer is before getting into the push and pull factors that led to a massive rise in piracy in the Caribbean during the 17th century. Learn how the coming of peace makes for idle hands, and how those hands tend to pick up muskets!
We delve into key figures such as Vane, Bellamy, Edward Teach (Blackbeard), Hornigold, and Jennings, providing listeners with an intimate look at the pirates who shaped this era. The narrative sails through the highs and lows of the Pirate Republic, with a focus on what led to its eventual decline. The retaking of Nassau is dissected, unraveling the events that marked the end of the pirate haven. And of course we can’t leave you without getting into the intriguing concept of the Pirate Code, including the infamous “right of parlay.” Are they guidelines or what?
Join us for this swashbuckling voyage, where fact and fiction entwine to reveal the fascinating truths behind the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Golden Age of Piracy.
Feed Drop: The Podcast About the Podcasts About Television
Apr 16, 2023
Hey history fans! My name is Jakob Burrows and, as you know, I don’t know anything about history, but I do know that production on Season 4 is in full swing and until it we’re able to launch it you’ll be able to find additional episodes at patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast where we’ve most recently been putting out some pirate themed podcasts, going over our top 5 pirate women thorughout history and as well as Reel History After Dark where we covertly record in various pubs around Ireland, so to have a pint and some not entirely sober chats about history with us, go to patreon.com/reelhistory
What I’m here to share today is a new project from Shows What You Know, helmed by myself and Jim Scampoli. We’ve done podcasts reviewing television shows for nearly a decade but in the past few years, actors have invaded the podcast scene, re-watching and reviewing their own TV shows. This is something Jim and I have been exploring thorugh investigative podcasting over the past few months and, in short, since our turf has been stepped on, we decided that the only reasonable response was to review these actors and their attempts at creating entertaining podcasts.
We call this The Podcast About the Podcasts About Television and I’m sharing the first episode here with you today – if you enjoy it, subscribe on your podcatcher or choice or go to ShowsWhatYouKnow.com to follow our first season. Enjoy!
Welcome to the finale of Season 3 of Reel History! In this episode we look back at our past season, answering listener questions and handing out the Mel Gibson Awards to the least historically accurate films. Michael and Jakob also face off in a historical quotes quiz (it’s tense, see image) and we celebrate the completion of this season with a mandatory gâteau.
But besides looking to the past, we also look ahead…
As of TODAY we’re launching a Patreon where you can sign up for 2.50 EUR to get one (1) bonus episode per month. It will be quiet here on the main feed as we start producing season 4 but there will be a consistent stream of extra podcasts and updates available to you via our Patreon. If you decide to sign up, you’ll be helping us buy history books, audio equipment, train tickets and pints, all of which would be much appreciated and which would expedite our production of season 4.
So what do you get out of this? Well, we’re committed to producing the next season as quickly as possible so we won’t put out a plethora of bonus content but we’re committing to releasing one bonus episode per month between seasons. These will be things like:
Footnotes & Fancies: We explore Footnotes, where we expand on topic touched on in the main show but which we didn’t have time to properly get into, and Fancies, where we give updates on production, answer Patron questions, and get into various fanciful topics.
Top 5 History: We list out some of the greatest and worst people and achievements in history, answering questions like who were history’s top 5 emperors, pirates, scientists or martyrs?
Reel History After Dark: Come with us to the pub
We might add additional shows and tweak our Patreon concept based on listener interest, so if you do sign up, don’t hesitate to tell us what you think and what you’d like to hear from us. And, of course, if you’re not interested in the Patreon, just stay on this feed and you’ll have season 4 delivered in 2023! Until then you can hang out with us on Twitter @reel_history (if the platform still exists by the time you read this) and catch up on a whole host of other podcasts from the same crew over at showswhatyouknow.com!
Apocalypse Now II | The Smell of Napalm (1955 – 1975)
Nov 03, 2022
Do you love the smell of napalm in the morning? It’s episode 9 of season 3 of Reel History and much like the Americans we have been bogged down in the dense jungles of Vietnam!
Last episode Michael gave you a whistle-stop tour of Vietnamese history, leading all the way up to the period that saw it step onto the world stage as the latest and deadliest theatre of the developing Cold War! We continue our examination of Coppola’s crazed adaptation of Conrad’s famous novel, its peace brokering and warmongering alike as the violence escalates.
Vietnam has already seen off the French Empire, a French Republic, the Japanese Empire, varying Chinese Empires and a whole host of other thing besides. Ho Chi Minh is well entrenched in the North and as tensions escalate within the country, the Americans get involved. Perhaps expecting this to be like a sequel to the recently ended Korean War, they swiftly find out that this is a country and a war like no other.
But things were not okay at home for the Americans- we dig into the context around why they would get involved in the first place and what this ill-thought-out war would do to the American culture already fanning the flames of social war as great civil rights leaders step forward. Lyndon Johnson, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon all struggle to contend with the escalating carnage in Vietnam.
Has anyone called Henry Kissinger?
Strap yourselves in for Rolling Thunder, it’s Apocalypse Now part 2.
Sources • ‘The Penguin History of Modern Vietnam’ by Christopher E. Goscha (2017) • ‘Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy, 1945-1975’ by Max Hastings (2018) • ‘The Trial of Henry Kissinger’ by Christopher Hitchens (2002) • ‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad (1899)
Apocalypse Now I | The Fall and Rise of Vietnam (111 BC – 1954)
Oct 20, 2022
This ain’t no USO show so hold on to your cavalry hat and jump onboard a Huey for episode 8 of Season 3 of Reel History!
In a new departure, we’re delivering up our first double-barrelled episode in honour of Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam war masterpiece ‘Apocalypse Now’ (1979). There really was was just too much to squeeze into one episode and that’s even before we heard Michael struggle to pronounce the names of Vietnamese emperors .
What started out with an infamously chaotic 3-year production (worthy of an episode in itself), this Oscar winner would blossom into an endlessly quotable critical and financial success! Packed full of memorable characters such as Lt. Colonel ‘Charlie don’t surf’ Kilgore; the chilling plot is loosely based on the anti-imperial novel ‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad. We find ourselves in stifling hot jungle, meandering down river in the unsettling company of veteran assassin Captain Willard (Michael Sheen) as he seeks to ’terminate with extreme prejudice’ the rogue and enigmatic Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando). But you knew that already so that’s why we did what we do and looked at the real history behind the film!
Join us for episode 1 of this 2-part special as we use the film as a catalyst to first examine how Vietnams tumultuous history forged the spear that would one day pierce the illusion of invincibility of a cold war superpower. To kick off, we will learn how this plucky country sprang from the Red River Delta to form a civilisation that would one day endure a millennium of Chinese occupation (beginning in 111 BC), only to later gain its independence and repel even the all-conquering Mongol empire in 1288.
We will then take you on a whistle stop tour of the preceding centuries as Dai Viet expanded south to form the modern S shaped Vietnam we recognize today. Fast forward to 1848 and it wouldn’t be long before the 2nd French empire and Napoleon the third cast a covetous eye on this rich and fertile land they imaginatively called Indochina! We’ll cover the gradual French conquest of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia and the brutal colonial era it sparked. We will then sift through the embers of revolution to discover how Ho Chi Minh and the wider Viet Minh liberation front would triumph over not only a short-lived Japanese occupation but also a resurgent post war France determined to maintain it’s ‘gloire’ and prestige (1st Indochina War 1946- 1954).
Caught your breath? We hope so as all this happened long before anyone in Vietnam had even heard of President JFK, Lyndon B Johnson not to mention Henry Kissinger…. tune in for part 2 next time to learn what happened when they finally did!
Sources • ‘The Penguin History of Modern Vietnam’ by Christopher E. Goscha (2017) • ‘Vietnam: An Epic Tragedy, 1945-1975’ by Max Hastings (2018) • ‘The Trial of Henry Kissinger’ by Christopher Hitchens (2002) • ‘Heart of Darkness’ by Joseph Conrad (1899)
Wolfwalkers (2020) | Cromwellian Conquest (1649–1653)
Oct 06, 2022
Fáilte go dtí Reel History! We’re finally going local – this week we dive into the wild forests of Irish history with Wolfwalkers, our first Irish feature film and first animated film. Come along on a mythical romp thorugh oppressed Cromwellian Ireland and learn how puritanical Christianity clashed with Irish mythology and tradition!
Wolfwalkers concludes director Tomm Moore’s “Irish Folklore Trilogy”, following his previous films The Secret of Kells (2009) and Song of the Sea (2014), and it was produced by Irish animation company Cartoon Saloon, based in our very own Kilkenny.
We use this fun family film to discuss Oliver Cromwell’s occupation of Ireland, colonization and other fun topics such as genocide. Irish history sure is a blast! We go thorugh the rise and fall of the so-called “Lord Protector”, Oliver Cromwell, and his crusade against Catholisism, and anything vaugely foregin, if we’re being honest.
Let’s go beyond the pale to a land of wolves and legends, and discover the misty mystic origins of the oldest man-made structures in the world, and some of the oldest tales from these here isles.
Yes, this week truly features all sorts of mythical creatures — including a woman!
Sources “Colonial Werewolves and the Mapping of Postcolonial Ireland” by Catherine E. Karkov “God’s Executioner: Oliver Cromwell and the Conquest of Ireland” by Micheál Ó Siochrú “Celtic Mythology” by Philip Freeman
Vikings III | The End of the Viking Age (1066)
Sep 22, 2022
Oh, you want more Vikings? We’ve got more Vikings.
In this third (and final) installment about the History Channel’s drama series Vikings, we’re talking about the main characters and their real-life counterparts… er… if they in fact existed.
Join as we discuss the man, the myth, the legend – Ragnar Lodbrok! Was he a simple farmer from Denmark who had visions of glory or a divine hero, inspired by Odin the all-father to slay dragons, wander to distant lands and marry witch-princesses? And what does ‘Lodbrok,’ mean anyway? We’ll discuss the shows portrayal of one of Europe’s legendary leaders and compare it against the sources that exist for the real figure that served as the key figure the History Channel’s show.
We also take aim at our female lead, the mythical Lagertha! A legendary shield-maiden (were they even real?), Lagertha anchors much of the show’s 6 seasons and proves every bit the Viking hero of her husband and son. But was she real? Rollo the Walker, the inspiration for Ragnar’s brother is also discussed- we chart how you can go from dispossessed minor noble in Norway to founding a dynasty in France that would conquer Britain and Ireland, not to mention Sicily and Jerusalem!
Come join us and hear how the story ends with Harald Hardrada, the ‘Last Viking.’ England is invaded on two fronts and a fateful arrow to the eye changes history forever. It’s climatic battles, magic pants, a man who moves like a snake, fate, the gods and everything in between. It’s Vikings Part III. It’s Reel History.
Please remember to leave a review and follow us @reel_history on Twitter!
Vikings II | A Timeline of the Viking Age (794 – 1065)
Sep 10, 2022
We’re halfway through season 3 of Reel History! This week we’re taking a deeper look at Vikings, using the TV show as a basis to explore the real history of the Viking age. In this second installment (out of three) we zoom through a rapid fire timeline, dropping in on key events that shaped the development of the Viking age.
Come along on a journey where Anglo Saxon kingdoms find some friendly and useful mercenaries to use against one another in their struggle for supremacy! Learn the truth behind the myths of Rollo the Walker and Björn Ironside, the little boy from Vikings who took a jaunt around southern Europe. Hear all about the foundation of Normandy (or should we say Northman-dy) and the origins of the word Russia.
We all know the bloodthirsty raider but, this week, let’s learn about the people from the north who influenced all of Europe and beyond; how languages and genes mixed, and how the blood of the north made it into the veins of kings, tsars and emperors alike.
We’ll return next time to talk about some of the remaining key characters from the show, not least Ragnar Lodbrok himself, as well as the end of the Viking age. Until then, please remember to leave a review and follow us @reel_history on Twitter!
Vikings I | Life During the Viking Age (793)
Aug 25, 2022
Today we start a trilogy; three episodes tackling the smash-hit historical drama Vikings! The show features historical (?) characters such as Ragnar Lothbrok, Rollo, the first ruler of Normandy, and the easily pronounced Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson. These friendly travellers traipse across the entire Viking age so we thought we might do the same and take a crack at summarising one of the most mysticised and iconic periods of European history in three episodes.
The Reel History crew has not one but two personal connections to this show as it was filmed in Ireland, just around the corner from where we record the show, and it also tackles Scandinavian history – yes, we’ve yet to tackle a Swedish movie but this material brings us pretty jävla close and it brings our Swedish co-host out of his “I don’t know anything about history” shell, because it turns out they actually teach some of this stuff in school over there.
In this first episode we go thorugh everyday Viking life and what we know about it, and we do some historical mythbusting around more than just the whole horned helmet thing. We bring you through the early history of the region, including the ancient peoples that pre-dated the Vikings. We bring you an eyewitness account of “the filthiest of God’s people”, tell you about the technology that made the Viking expansion possible (good boats), and explain how their groundbreaking grooming habits effectively “sieged the married women’s virtue”.
Stay tuned for the next two episodes where we’ll give a breakneck breakdown of the main events of the Viking age and dive deep into key characters from the show and their real life counterparts.
Alexander (2004) | The Great (323 BC)
Aug 11, 2022
It seemed so perfect. We had Oliver Stone, the filmmaker behind JFK & Nixon; the auteur director of Wall Street, Platoon and the Doors. We had a monstrous budget, a huge cast and locations from India to Morocco. We had one of history’s most interesting characters. We even had an excellent historical consultant on hand to keep the filmmakers honest. We finally had the follow up to Ridley Scott’s Gladiator!
And then it all went so wrong.
Join us this week as we discuss Oliver Stone’s epic disaster, Alexander. It’s Doris Day’s wig playing Collin Farrell playing Alexander the Great. Bizarre performances from some of the worst casting you have ever seen in a serious Hollywood production meets appalling dialogue in this baffling biopic. Collin Farrell is somehow supposed to be believable as the son of the Snake-Witch Angelina Jolie and horrendously drunk Val Kilmer all whilst sporting a truly offensive hair-do.
Alexander the Great has lived in the memory of both the west and the east as he went from first dominating the Greek world to founding over a dozen cities and stamping Greek culture on Asia from modern Turkey to India. Dead at 32, this forever-young historical icon produced some of the regions most important cultural milestones from battles and an attempt at ethnic harmony to long-lived dynasties that would later give even Rome a headache. From a reference in the Bible as the King of Greece who will conquer the Medes and Persians to the Arabic ‘Two Horned one,’ and the Zoroastrian ‘Alexander the Accursed,’ few figures have loomed quite so large over history.
Our hosts are exasperated by a movie who’s running time is matched only by its increasingly bizarre choices. The Greeks are English while the Macedonians are Irish…except when they’re American…or Welsh…the wigs are crazy, the waste of talented actors is unforgiveable and Jared Leto is in it for some reason.
We’ll discuss the true story of this young King of Macedon and discuss why he’s known to history not just as Alexander, but Alexander the Great.
Sources:
Alexander the Great- Robin Lane Fox (2004) Alexander the Great Failure- John D. Grainger (2009) The Campaigns of Alexander- Arrian (Penguin Classics, 1976) Life and Exploits of Alexander the Great- Quintus Curtius Rufus (2018) The Age of Alexander- Plutarch (Penguin Classics, 2012)
The Last Duel (2021) | The Death of Trial by Combat (1386)
Jul 28, 2022
Lances at the ready for episode 2 of season 3 of Reel History!
In this week’s journey into the mists of time, Michael struggles with his French pronunciation and hopes no one will notice as we muster our forces to give battle to 2021’s ‘The Last Duel’ (now streaming on Disney +). With Ridley Scott at the helm and a screenplay written in part by the Oscar winning duo of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, this film seemed destined to fill post lockdown cinema seats everywhere.
Despite basking in a warm glow of critical success (85% rating Rotten Tomatoes), it has turned into a certified feudal flop at the ever-capricious box office. Why is anyone’s guess but as Mark says you can’t blame everything on Millennials, Ridley! Tune in to learn why we’re determined to right this wrong!
Set in 1386 in a feudal France ravaged by the 100 Years War, this film throws down the gauntlet by challenging the viewer to examine the story of the horrific rape of Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer) and its seismic consequences from the contradictory perspectives of three central protagonists. This leads to a bitter enmity developing between two old friends, Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques le Gris (Adam Driver) that rocks the kingdom of Charles VI as Marguerites life (not to mention her eternal soul) hang in the balance. To end the stalemate, these two squires’ resort to the ‘Judgement of God’ in the form of a heart pounding duel to the death to establish the guilt or innocence of Marguerite and her attacker.
Join us to learn whether any of this happened as we pore over Eric Jager’s 2004 original source material. We turn a beady eye on the intensely hierarchal world of quarrelsome knights, squires, barons, and kings where the maxim ‘no lord without land, no land without a lord’ held sway. We examine the ancient origins of duelling before turning to the real lives behind the tale and learn how even medieval legal proceedings were drawn out tedious affairs! Along the way we balance both heavy and light topics covering everything from late medieval attitudes to rape, women’s rights (or lack thereof) to beliefs in enchanted weapons and curses. We learn of the hazards of being an out of shape knight and even find time to chat about a famous shirtless Irish trial by combat which we all agree needs to make it to the big screen!
Sources • ‘The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal and Trial by Combat’ by Eric Jager (2004) • ‘A Great and Glorious Adventure: A History of the Hundred Years War and the Birth of Renaissance England’ by Gordon Corrigan (2013) • ‘Agincourt: The King, the Campaign, the Battle’ by Juliet Barker (2006)
Braveheart (1995) | William Wallace (1297)
Jul 14, 2022
Welcome to Season 3 of Reel History! We’ll be releasing 10 new episodes, aiming for a bi-weekly releases on Thursdays. Follow @reel_history on Twitter to find out what historical films/shows we’re covering in advance so that you can watch along with us.
We’re back, and it seems that nobody is safe from the inaccurate madness of Mel Gibson. That’s right, in our first season 3 episode we’re finally talking about Gibson’s opening gambit in the field of ahistorical epics — Braveheart.
Michael barely contains his ire as his nemesis (Mel Gibson) turns his gaze to the Scottish Wars of Independence. In a ludicrous portrayal of Scotland’s national heroes and villains we go on a trip through Scotland’s struggle for independence against the evil English. Wallace starts off inaccurately as a simple subsistence farmer and fights his way through the wrong years before ending up as an icon of Scottish national sovereignty. From living in a mud hut for some reason and wearing a Kilt from the wrong century to gathering a rabble of followers who have never seen a bath to boldly facing down the English royal army in inaccurate battles at the wrong sites using the wrong gear while wearing blue face paint that is from a mere 1200 years ago.
Join us as we discuss this muddling of the timeline that’s enough to give Doc Brown a headache and see can you make out the hushed rage under Michael’s voice as his archenemy butchers another historical period! Who was the real Wallace? Who was the real Edward I? Who the hell is Andrew de Moray and why is he always ignored for gods sake he’s so important, somebody pay attention…. Ahem
It’s Reel History, it’s Braveheart.
Stop asking us about it now, okay?
Sources:
“Robert the Bruce: King of Scots” by Ronald McNair Scott “A Great and Terrible King- Edward I and the forging of Britain” by Marc Morris “William Wallace”- Andrew Fisher.
What’s this?! A Reel History spin off? A special feature? Well, whatever we’re calling it, we’re dropping one or two experimental episodes between seasons. We’ve been busy cooking up season 3 and it’s creeping closer by the day, so it’s well past time to start releasing these!
First off is a breakdown of the Top 5 Schemers throughout all of history. From lascivious to vicious and back again, listen to find out the true meaning of “Machiavellian”.
In the Season 2 finale we mentioned that we’d be doing 5 episodes between seasons but due to some audio issues – and the fact that we want to get Season 3 out as soon as possible – there won’t be five. There will be, like… one? Maybe two?? Either way, enjoy, and look forward to Reel History Season 3: coming soon!
In the wait for Season 3, in addition to screaming into the void about the lack of episodes, why don’t you entertain yourself by tweeting about the show (@reel_history), leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts, and telling a friend? Much appreciated and see you soon. For more history trivia like “who invented the first curling iron in 1872“, you can visit lizzardco.com.
The Last Duel (2021) | Trailer Reaction
Sep 12, 2021
“What’s this! I thought season 2 was over!”
It is but we’re going to sneak out some content between seasons, starting with this quick take on the trailer for Ridley Scott’s new The Last Duel, coming out in October!
We will most likely do a full episode on this film but since we’re between seasons we thought we’d chat about our hopes, hype and expectation.
Watch the trailer and let us know what you think @reel_history on Twitter or in a review on Apple Podcasts!
If this is your first episode, you might want to pick a film you like and listen to that ep first – this is a special one, the finale of season 2! We’re answering listener questions, taking on a musical challenge and giving a sneak peak of what’s coming next in the history of Reel History. See you soon, friends – for now, that’s the end of the reel.
ROME IV | Rise of the Empire (42-27 BC)
Jul 13, 2021
Ave, citizen!
It’s Episode 4 of our Roman epic and the ailing Republic is divided in two. It’s East vs. West, brains vs. brawn and man vs. woman (okay that’s a stretch) as Gaius Octavius steps into the limelight to face off against Mark Antony and his Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. It’s been a long haul but we promise we’re almost done… as the Republic transforms into the Empire, most of the iconic figures are off the board leaving only two viable factions. But as we all know, there can be only one.
Michael has calmed down after last episode having put things right for poor Cicero but we learn that his dislike for young Gaius is almost as strong as his reverence of the old statesman. We learn how Gaius Octavius rose from being an overly protected and sickly boy, seemingly no threat to anyone, to becoming the world’s most powerful man. It’s the ultimate expression of brains over brawn as Gaius Octavius outmanoeuvres the experienced soldiers and politicians alike who sought to use him and instead becomes as great as his uncle. It’s the coming of age of a dictator, from Octavius to Caesar. From simply Gaius, to Augustus.
We also delve into one of history’s most famous romances – Antony and Cleopatra. Antony had it all, Rome was practically at his heel, only a sickly and unimpressive young boy with a famous name in his way. But Cleopatra had plans, the Queen of Kings used her relationship with Antony to firmly establish her rule over Egypt, finally crushing any dissent from those who supported her brother in Egypt’s long civil war. We’ll discuss what Antony got up to in the East while Gaius Octavius consolidated the west and how Cleopatra figured into things.
The century of civil wars are coming to a close as some of Rome’s most famous men (and women) clash for a final time… The great Cicero hopes to save the dying Republic while Octavius and Antony fight it out with Rome’s fate hanging in the balance.
The Grachi, Marius, Sulla, Pompey, Crassus and Caesar all have shown the way and Gaius Octavius meant to outdo them all. His audaciousness and ruthlessness are the stuff of legend, daring to do what even Caesar himself had not.
But as he would put it: I am Caesar himself.
Sources Adrian Goldsworthy: Augustus: The First Emperor of Rome (2015) Mary Beard- SPQR Plutarch- The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans (Benediction Classics, Oxford 2015)
ROME III | And Brutus is an Honourable Man (44-42 BC)
Jun 29, 2021
Friends! Romans! Countrymen! Lend me your ears! I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. It’s episode 3 of our coverage of HBO’s ROME, starting in on the second season – and the Republic hangs by a thread. The Great Julius Caesar is dead, the city is in shock. What next?
War… obviously. Haven’t you been paying attention?
Join us as we discuss the fallout of Caesar’s death, and the figures that tried to fill his considerable void. A grand conspiracy of senators led by the Epicurean Cassius formed around Brutus, son of Rome’s first family while Mark Antony and the Caesarian loyalists seem to be on the ropes. Surely the conspirators will push their advantage and dismantle the Caesarian revolution… right? All will be fine and the Republic restored… right?
Michael waxes lyrical about his hero, Marcus Tullius Cicero. Done a disservice by the show, Cicero rose from provincial obscurity to be one of the most important figures in all Roman history. The show portrays Cicero as conniving, snivelling and weak and frankly, Michael is not impressed.
Mark Antony comes to the fore, stepping in to lead Caesar’s faction in the wake of his mentor’s death. We discuss how Antony rose from ne’er do well to right-hand man of Caesar. Ever the opportunist, Antony didn’t have to be asked twice when it came time for Caesar’s funeral oration. He knew this was a tactical blunder from the conspirators and seized the opportunity to remind the mob of their love for Caesar, framing his death as a blow stuck to the mob by these supposed ‘nobles.’
Brutus and Cassius had believed they would restore Rome by removing the demagogue and defanging the mob. But Antony knew the truth – Rome is the mob.
The battle lines are redrawn. It’s the self-styled Librators against the Caesarians with the fate of Rome in the balance.
Meanwhile, Gaius Octavian waits in the wings.
Sources Tom Holland – Rubicon (2003) Plutarch – The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans (Benediction Classics, Oxford 2015) Mary Beard – SPQR Cicero and Michael Grant – Cicero, selected works (2004) Robert Harris- The Cicero Trilogy (2021) (Historical fiction)
ROME II | The Die is Cast (49 BC – 44 BC)
Jun 15, 2021
You’ve heard of Julius Caesar right? Sure you have, you don’t live under a rock. That’s a good start as our second episode on Rome covers the First Triumvirate. Caesar and his pals – history’s richest man Crassus and the swashbuckling Pompey the Great – came together to run roughshod over the ailing Republic. But who were they before they took political control?
We talk about the life of Julius Caesar from dodging a death order for refusing a divorce and racking up just a frankly extraordinary debt to adventuring around the Mediterranean and being captured by pirates. Rome’s most famous man about town; Caesar went from being the most talked about style icon among the youth of Rome to a general who committed genocide, wiping out a million people in his (illegal) Gallic Wars.
One part Jeff Bezos, one part Tywin Lannister, Marcus Crassus Dives was history’s first evil property baron. We discuss his role in propping up the political alliance that would ruin the Republic. From putting down the Slave General Spartacus to an ill-fated invasion of modern-day Iraq. This is the man who once said ‘you aren’t really rich until you can afford your own army.’
And not to forget the Republic’s military darling! Join us as we discuss why Gnaeus Pompey would be known to history as ‘Pompey the Great.’ Once Caesar’s greatest friend and ally (as well as weirdly his son-in-law…don’t worry about it), by the time of Caesar’s ascent, Pompey’s star was on the wane. Would the strain this placed on their friendship lead to a break? Was Rome big enough for the both of them?
No. Obviously not.
It’s episode 2 of 4! Rome’s Republic was punch drunk from a century of civil strife and war. Would Cicero and the Senate manage to overcome the Gang of Three and restore democracy to the Eternal City or was it too late?
Illegal wars, intrigue, familial disputes and treachery. Caesar is at the Rubicon.
The lines are drawn. The die is cast.
Sources Tom Holland- Rubicon (2003) Plutarch- The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans (Benediction Classics, Oxford 2015)
ROME I | Rise of the Republic (753 BC – 49 BC)
Jun 01, 2021
Join us for the first episode of our deep dive on the history that inspired the BBC/HBO series Rome (2005-2017). Oh you say you know nothing about the Roman Empire? Perfect, this is the pod for you, citizen.
There’s plenty of
melodrama as we discuss how the familial feuds and incestuous
relationships among the Roman elite led to a critical break point
with the Royal family and Brutus (no, not that one) led a Republican
revolution, expelling the Kings forever.
Rome went from a
series of villages on 7 hills populated by runaway slaves, vagabonds
and women stolen from local tribes to become the most influential
empire in the history of the western world. Through existential
battles against local rivals, raids by savage Gauls and a cataclysmic
war against a Greek King, Rome survived it all.
Hannibal is at the
gates! Find out how Rome’s victory against the man who marched
elephants over the Alps led them to dominate the Mediterranean from
Spain to Greece. But final victory over Carthage was only the
beginning of the story; we wax lyrical about the lower classes rising
up against the increasing power of the rich nobles as societal issues
come to the fore. How does a government designed to run a city rule
over an empire?
Spoiler- Badly. It’s
terrible…people die. A lot.
This is Roman
history 101! We’ll give you an overview of 700 (yes, seven hundred)
years of Roman history, taking you from Romulus and Remus to the man
who’s name looms large over it all: Caesar.
It may have taken
them more than a day but we take about an hour.
Sources Mary Beard- SPQR (2016) Tom Holland- Rubicon (2003) Cassius Dio- Roman History (1989) Livy- The Early History of Rome (2002) Mike Duncan- The Storm Before the Storm (2017)
Inglourious Basterds (2009) | Vive La Résistance! (1940)
May 18, 2021
Greetings, partisans, to episode 5 of Reel History Season 2!
Join us as we focus our lens on a bombastic and brilliant tale of ‘a bushwhacking gorilla army doing one thing and one thing only – killing Nazis’. These memorable opening lines are spoken in the southern drawl of Brad Pitt’s Lieutenant Aldo in the alternate history war film ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (2009).
Quentin Tarantino stamps his trademark style on this classic revenge flick set once upon a time in Nazi occupied France to the tune of David Bowie singing “putting out fire with gasoline”.
Expertly cast and shot, this film reels out several unforgettable, slow-boil scenes as we follow Jewish orphan Shosanna (Mélanie Laurent) on a quest for retribution, all while stalked by the ‘Jew hunter’ Col. Hans Landa – superbly played by Christopher Waltz. The plot thickens when Lt. Aldo’s rampaging crack troop of Jewish soldiers attempt a daring ambush of the Nazi high command in the very cinema where Shosanna plans her own revenge!
Now none of this plot happened, and the film doesn’t pretend it did, but we thought it was a worthy excuse to dive into the real history behind the era!
We learn if such a boisterous band of Jewish fighters existed and why France fell flat as a crêpe to the Nazis in just a few weeks, then discussing the murky world of Marshal Pétain’s Vichy puppet state and the heavy toll paid for the occupation.
We find out how the fire of resistance exploded to form ‘l’armée des ombres’ as the battle for the soul of France was fought between General De Gaulle’s Free French forces and communist partisans who held two very different visions for the future of France.
Sources: ‘Modern France’ by Jonathan Fenby. ‘Fighters in the Shadows’ by Robert Gildea.
Master and Commander (2003) | The Napoleonic Wars (1805)
May 04, 2021
Welcome aboard for episode 4 of Reel History Season 2!
To quote Jakob – “this week we’ve gone nautical, lads” so all hands on deck as we man the canons and survey the horizon for dark sails in the epic period war drama “ Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” (2003).
Although it’s got Russell Crowe as the gregarious Captain “lucky” Jack Aubrey, this is far from just Gladiator on the sea. Peter Weir delivers a tense ocean-spanning, cat-and-mouse chase which immerses us in the claustrophobic, choppy waters of life on the damp and cramped – HMS Surprise.
This charming, critically acclaimed film is drawn from Patrick O’ Brian’s Aubrey Maturin novels. It contains a heady mix of explosive naval battles, deception, sea shanties, violin sessions and even a weird and wonderful stop off at the Galápagos Islands.
Set in 1805, all this is of course just a back drop to the wider global battle for supremacy between Britain and its allies against French dominated Europe. Napoleon is gearing up to carry out a naval invasion of Britain with 167,000 French troops hastily brushing up on their English to invade Kent at a moments notice.
Join us as we discuss this fight to the death, real life on a ship, Napoleons dastardly plans, the “Great Terror”, Trafalgar and much more as we learn why Admiral Nelson famously said ‘ I never trust a Corsican or a Frenchman’.
Sources ’The Age of Revolution 1789-1848’ by Eric Hobsbawn ‘Trafalgar : Countdown to Battle, 1803 -1805’ by Alan Schom ‘Napoleon the Great’ by Andrew Roberts
Akira Kurosawa has stood the test of time as one of the most influential filmmakers ever, and his 1954 big-budget historical film Seven Samurai is a huge part of that legacy. A t the time, Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai was the most expensive film ever made in Japan, and you can certainly see that money on the screen as outstrips most modern films in ambition and scope.
In this 1954 samurai epic, a farming village is beset by bandits and in desperation they hire a group of seven samurai to protect them.
While much of the filmmaking and story might seem commonplace to us now, that is because this film has been copied countless times (including the literal Western remake “The Magnificent Seven”) and indeed this is probably the archetype of all “getting the gang together” films, stretching from plucky space samurai in Star Wars to heist films like Ocean’s Eleven.
In episode three of Reel History season 2 we dive deep into Japanese history, zooming all the way back to the first emperor of Japan — supposedly the start of the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world — and track the societal developments that led to the formation of a fearsome warrior class and the outbreak of Sengoku Jidai (“Warring states period”, 1467 – 1615″), the intense century of civil war during which Seven Samurai takes place.
Like last week’s Apocalypto we’re happy to move beyond the limits of European history but that’s not the only change this week! As a once-in-a-lifetime treat, Jakob has taken over the role of researcher and presenter for this era, guiding us from retired emperors to mongol invasions, colour-coded hats to bushido myths… It’s time to show what you know about Japanese history!
If you have a moment we would appreciate a review on Apple Podcasts and you can follow us/tell a friend about the show on Twitter @reel_history.
Sources “A History of Japan” by John Godwin Caiger and Richard Mason “Bushido” by Inazo Nitobe
We also recommend these three YouTube channels: Linfamy, Voices of the past, The Shogunate
This week we dust off our mics, clear our throats and try not to choke as we digest the 2006 smash hit ‘Apocalypto’.
Mel Gibson delivers a heart thumping tropical jungle chase that is one part Rambo, one part Predator with a double serving of his trademark dollop of historical inaccuracy.
Set in early 1500s pre-Spanish Yucatán Mexico, we follow our hero Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood) as he seeks to reunite with his stricken family, crossing a Mayan world in the midst of violent end-of-days chaos. Hot on his heels are a bunch of vicious assassins led by Middle Eye (Gerardo Taracena) and the wily Zero Wolf (Raoul Trujillo) who are determined to hunt Jaguar Paw mercilessly across a beautifully shot lush but perilous landscape.
Sounds great right? Well, not exactly. Whilst the film delivers on many fronts, Mel’s crimes against historical accuracy have never been so grave! Tune in to find out how bad did he mess it up.
Given this hiccup we decided to explore what was really going on in the valley of Mexico when in 1519 the Spanish pitched their tent on the turf of the powerful Aztec / Mexica Emperor Montezuma.
Join us as we cast an eye on a moment often heralded as the ´birth of modern history’. We find out how the infamous Hernan Cortez and his ragtag army used shock and awe tactics and good old fashioned treachery to bring this complex, sophisticated civilization to its knees.
On this whirlwind adventure we discuss everything from the Maya, the Aztecs, the truth behind human sacrifice, astronomical prophecies and how Cortez and his companions famously ´suffered from a disease of the heart that could only be cured by gold’. All this with the bonus of listening to Michael struggle to pronounce words like Huitzilopochtli and Quatzalcoatl in a Irish midlands flat accent.
Sources “Conquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs ” by Buddy Levy
A Knight’s Tale (2001) | Feudal Europe (1372)
Mar 23, 2021
Season 2 of Reel History starts today! We’re aiming to release episodes every other week so please subscribe, leave us a review and tweet your history puns at us @reel_history.
A Knight’s Tale from 2001 is a sport films about jousting and while it has a tenuous connection to any real history it serves as an excellent jumping off point for a discussion about knights, jousting, courtly romance and intrigue.
Did you know that Heath Ledger’s Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein was actually a real person? And while Paul Bettany’s depiction of Geoffrey Chaucer is a riot of WWE proportions, what connection is there really between this film and Chaucer’s “The Knight’s Tale” from The Canterbury Tales? Answers to all this and more about feudal Europe can be found in our SEASON PREMIERE of SEASON 2 off Reel History!
Sources “The
Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, the Power
Behind Five English” by Thomas Asbridge
With 10 episodes we’re closing out season 1 of Reel History! In this finale episode we follow a more loose structure, having general chats about history and answering listener questions that have cropped up throughout the season. If you have any questions for us to answer in future episodes, don’t hesitate to get in touch via showswhatyouknowshow@gmail.com.
We’ll be back with season 2 after we’ve built up a buffer of episodes to release bi-weekly. Please take the time in between seasons to tell a friend, review Reel History on Apple Podcasts and check out our many sibling shows at showswhatyouknow.com!
Outlaw King (2018) | Robert the Bruce at War (1304)
Mar 22, 2020
Welcome to episode nine of Reel History: Shows What You Know About Braveheart! Join us as we delve into 14th Century Britain and come to terms with the feudal struggle between the Kingdoms of Scotland and England. How can a man falling off a horse lead to decades of bloodshed? How does Robert the Bruce go from Earl of Carrick to become first a folk hero and then a national icon?
Feudal Britain is brought to life in this Netflix medieval epic, pitting Edward Longshanks “The Hammer of Scots,” and his apparently lunatic son against the resisting Scotland in a winner takes all battle for supremacy in the north. Join as we dissect Chris Pine’s role playing the legendary Outlaw King, Robert the Bruce.
As this is a brand new podcast (part of the Shows What You Know network) we’d be delighted if you’d take the time to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or check us out on Spotify!
Sources “Robert the Bruce: King of Scots” by Ronald McNair Scot “A Great and Terrible King – Edward I and the Forging of Britain” by Marc Morris
The Irishman (2019) | The American Mafia (1975)
Mar 08, 2020
Welcome to Cut to Black: A Reel History Special. This is a crossover between two of our Shows What You Know podcasts! On Cut to Black we discuss The Sopranos; on Reel History we dig into the historical context of movies and television.
This episode bridges the gap between both podcasts as we’ll be using Scorsese’s The Irishman as a jumping-off point to discuss the formation of the mafia in the USA, so whether you’re hearing this on our Cut to Black feed or Reel History feed we believe there will be something in it for you!
So, I heard you paint houses? This week we tackle the Martin Scorsese mobster masterpiece, The Irishman! Join us in our special crossover episode with sister show Cut to Black as we discuss the origins of the American Mafia. How did the organisation of the Mafia Commission lead to deals with Union boss Jimmy Hoffa and what was the role of WWII veteran “the Irishman,” Frank Sheeran in Hoffa’s infamous disappearance? From the Five Points Gang to the Bay of Pigs invasion, we track the influence of the mob on shaping the 21st century.
Hamilton (2015) | American Revolution (1776)
Feb 16, 2020
Welcome to episode 7 of Reel History ! Well this week we were eager to find out “how does a ragtag volunteer army in need of a shower- Somehow defeat a global superpower?”
So naturally our gaze couldn’t help being drawn to the phenomenal smash hit “Hamilton – An American Musical” (2015) !
Who would ever dream of making a 46-song Broadway Musical about the adventurous life of the founding fathers’ “little lion of federalism” Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804)? Well award-winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda had that exact revelation when reading Ron Chernows biography of this almost neglected trail blazer.
To his enemies (and he had many) simply a “bastard brat of a scotch peddler” – Alexander was in fact a “young ,scrappy and hungry” pioneer of inexhaustible ability at the vanguard of the American revolutionary golden generation.
Happily this era also happens to be one of Mark’s most cherished subjects so we naturally couldn’t resist plunging head-first into the earth-shattering events of the entire period as we witness the birth and fledgling fortunes of this plucky (if flawed) young Republic.
The founding fathers famously thought that it was ridiculous for a continent to belong to an island. We touch on their fiery and brilliant ideals and lives (not to mention duels ) from the imperious Washington to the much maligned “American Cataline” Aaron Burr. Oh and in case you forgot he’s the ´damn fool that shot him’!
So kick back and prepare to face off against Britain’s king George as we remember that “when push comes to shove” he will “kill your friends and family to remind you” of his love.
As this is a new podcast we’d be delighted if you’d take the time to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. And follow us on Twitter @Reel_History for historical tidbits throughout the week!
Sources: “Founding Brothers – The Revolutionary Generation” by Joseph J. Ellis “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow “1776” by David McCullough.
Are you prepared for glory? Well you better get prepared because this week we’re discussing King Leonidas and the brave 300! Frank Miller’s famous comic book gets the Zack Snyder treatment and turns the Greco-Persian wars into a rock’n’roll soap opera where semi-naked men slaughter wave after wave of demons from the East. But who were the Spartans, really? Did 300 men stand against a million at the Battle of Thermopylae and why would a king sacrifice himself to preserve a nascent western democracy?
Doesn’t really add up, does it? No… Join us for some insight into the world of ancient Sparta!
As this is a new podcast we’d be delighted if you’d take the time to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. And follow us on Twitter @Reel_History for historical tidbits throughout the week!
Sources “Histories” by Herodotus “History of My Times” by Xenophon “Persian Fire” by Tom Holland
Darkest Hour (2017) | Winston Churchill (1940)
Jan 19, 2020
Welcome to episode five of Reel History! This week we (well mainly Mark to be honest) take a critical sledgehammer to Joe Wright’s 2017 semi-historical drama “Darkest Hour” (available now on Netflix).
Written by Anthony McCarten and set in early 1940, it provides a glimpse into the chaotic life and whiskey-soaked times of that quintessentially British icon Winston Churchill.
Love him or loathe him, we watch as he grapples with political foes both at home and abroad whilst promising nothing but “Blood, toil, tears and sweat” in the existential struggle against Nazi hegemony on the continent.
The acting prowess of Gary Oldman won a well deserved Oscar for his stellar performance as the cantankerous old Tory prime minister (and not just for wearing a fat suit as Jakob claims). He is also joined by Lily James as his ever patient secretary Elizebeth Layton, who acts as witness to both his tender moments of doubt as well as every distillation of his rhetorical genius!
Lamentably this film is also unfortunate enough to be cursed by Mark’s pet hate Ben Mendelsohn making a ludicrous appearance as the well-groomed King George VI. However the film is redeemed slightly by another star turn by Reel History’s MVP Stephen Dillane as Viscount Halifax.
We take advantage of this epic setting of high stakes politics and war time distrust to deconstruct the often rose-tinted mystique which surrounds this giant of world history.
Join us as we pour over his controversial legacy. His reputation hinges on a delicate tight rope. This is best illustrated by his past grave failings at Gallipoli and abhorrent views on race and imperialism being counterbalanced by his undoubted leadership in defending western democracy against the horrors of fascism.
There is also “that definitely didn’t f** happen” moment to discuss with only one ridiculous stand out contender this week!
As this is a new podcast we’d be delighted if you’d take the time to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. And follow us on Twitter @Reel_History for historical tidbits throughout the week!
Kingdom of Heaven (2005) | The Crusades (1187)
Jan 07, 2020
This week we tackle Michael’s favourite subject – the Crusades. Yes, we’re discussing Ridley Scott’s flawed epic “Kingdom of Heaven.” from 2005. Join us as we discuss the events often described as a clash of civilisations, when religious fervor and ethnic allegiances led to the rise and fall of kingdoms and the siege of the Jerusalem. Nobody is safe as Orlando Bloom’s Balian of Ibelin takes on the legendary An-Nasir Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub.
Kingdom of Heaven opens a discussion on the origins of the Crusades, the seemingly miraculous expansion of Islam and the living standards one might expect to find in the 12th Century. Just who were these knights and sultans? Why were they really fighting and how is it that a blacksmith from northern France knows how to command the army of Jerusalem?
We’d be delighted if you’d take the time to review us on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Twitter @Reel_History for historical tidbits!
Sources “The Life and Legend of the Sultan Saladin” by Jonathan Phillips “The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land” by Thomas Asbridge
The Death of Stalin (2017) | From Gangster to Red Tzar (1953)
Dec 22, 2019
Welcome to episode three of Reel History! This week we delve head first into the paranoid pressure cooker of Stalin’s Soviet Union as we feast our eyes on the comedic pantomime that is Armando Lannucci’s “The Death of Stalin“ (2017). Based on the graphic novel “La Mort de Staline” by Fabien Nury & Thierry Robin this film (now available on Netflix) is graced with real acting pedigree.
Steve Buscemi plays the wily Kruschev as Michael Palin sets Molotov alight. Jeffrey Tambor is irrepressible as Malenkov whilst Jason Isaacs exudes martial prowess in the role of General Zhukov. The film centers around the tumultuous hours leading up to and following the death of the Red Tsar. We witness the politburo’s back stabbing, often hilariously incompetent power struggle as Beria battles Kruschev for supremacy of a Cold War superpower.
We take advantage of this setting to explore the fascinating, if often tragic wider context of the events leading up to the revolutionary birth of the Soviet Union and Joseph Stalin’s domination of the lives of millions within. We follow Stalins bloody journey from his early “koba” years as an underground, bank robbing Bolshevik to his struggle to seize power and enact his terrifying vision of Socialism in one country.
All this whilst learning about his passion for gardening and penchent for love letters and worryingly tweetable quotes!
As this is a new podcast we’d be delighted if you’d take the time to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. And follow us on Twitter @Reel_History for historical tidbits throughout the week!
Sources “Stalin A Biography” by Robert Service (2004) . “Stalin – The Court of the Red Tsar” by Simon Sebag Montfiore (2003) . “Russia : A 1000 Year Chronicle of the Wild East “ by Martin Sixsmith (2011)
Gladiator (2000) | Colosseum of Carnage (180)
Dec 08, 2019
Welcome to episode two of Reel History! On this podcast we talk about historical movies and TV, anything that claims to be based on a true story, and we check- how bad they mess it up? What was life actually like during that time period?
This week we watched Gladiator (2000) starring Russel Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius, Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus and Oliver Reed as Proximo. Directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson.
Gladiator leads us into a discussion on the glory days of the Roman Empire. From the grandeur of the Empire and imperial power to the pitiless existence of the fighting slaves, we discuss how this time period came about. Just who was Marcus Aurelius and was Maximus Decimus Meridius even a real guy?
As this is a brand new podcast (part of the Shows What You Know network) we’d be delighted if you’d take the time to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Follow us on Twitter @Reel_History for historical tidbits throughout the week!
Sources Mary Beard- SPQR (2016) Marcus Aurelius- Meditations (2006) Cassius Dio- Roman History (1989) The Five Good Emperors: The History of the Roman Empire during the Reigns of Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius (2018)
The King (2019) | The Hundred Year War (1415)
Nov 25, 2019
Welcome to the first episode of Reel History! On this podcast we talk about historical movies and TV, anything that claims to be based on a true story, and we check – how bad did they mess it up? What was life actually like during that time period?
We’ve watched Netflix’s The King (2019), starring Timothée Chalamet as Henry V, Joel Edgerton as Falstaff and Robert Pattinson as The Dauphin. Directed by David Michôd who also wrote it together with Joel Edgerton. Based on the “Henriad” plays by the bard himself, William Shakespeare.
The King serves as a starting point for us to learn and discuss what the Hundred Year war was all about. From the early days of feudal warring lords to the massive victory at the Battle of Agincourt (as depicted in the film) and the long-lasting consequences to the national identities of both England and France.
As this is a brand new podcast (part of the Shows What You Know network) we’d be delighted if you’d take the time to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It’s especially helpful early on! Look for new episodes of Reel History every other week at ShowsWhatYouKnow.com or just search Reel History on your podcast app of choice! We’ll be releasing our first season, consisting of ten episodes, along that biweekly schedule.
Follow us on Twitter @Reel_History for historical tidbits throughout the week!
Sources Gordon Corrigan – A Great and Glorious Adventure: A History of the Hundred Years War and the Birth of Renaissance England (2013) Juliet Barker – Agincourt (2005)
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so all hands on deck as we man the canons and survey the horizon for dark sails 
in the epic period war drama “ Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” (2003).
) from the imperious Washington to the much maligned “American Cataline” Aaron Burr. Oh and in case you forgot he’s the ´damn fool that shot him’!
