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!
Vikings II | A Timeline of the Viking Age (794 – 1065)
Sep 10, 2022
Show notes
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
Show notes
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
Show notes
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
Show notes
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
Show notes
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
Show notes
“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!
Reel History Season 2 Finale
Aug 09, 2021
Show notes
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
Show notes
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
Show notes
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)
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