World War II Movie Night

Latest Episodes:

77. "Schindler's List" (1993) Jun 30, 2023

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World War II Movie Night returns with what's considered one of the greatest, best, and most revered movies ever made, Steven Spielberg's "Schindler's List." The master director was already having a good 1993 with summer blockbuster "Jurassic Park," but before the year was out he snuck this 3+hour, black-and-white Holocaust drama into theaters, making history. Given the movie's reputation, we take a slightly different tack tonight as we examine the backlash that emerged, as well as look for humor in "Schindler's List" (which is there)... Asides include "Seinfeld," yes, "Seinfeld."

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76. "The Colditz Story" (1955) May 26, 2023

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World War II Movie Night returns to old-school, black-and-white British WWII movies with 1955's "The Colditz Story." Officer prisoners from different European countries compete (?) to escape from Colditz, the infamous Nazi fortress prison. Can the British break their unlucky streak and get some 'home runs'? Tonight we find out with this very accurate movie.

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"Operation Storm King"... https://www.amazon.com/Operation-Storm-King-Elliott-Sumers/dp/B0BYRPXN51/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G5V5ETWJT37O&keywords=operation+storm+king+elliott+sumers&qid=1685065940&sprefix=operation+storm+kin%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-1

"Diplomats and Admirals"... https://www.amazon.com/Diplomats-Admirals-Negotiations-Misjudgments-Powerful/dp/B0BMSKP9C7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ME6F8LGKHYFD&keywords=diplomats+and+admirals+dale+jenkins&qid=1685066020&sprefix=diplomats+and+admirals%2Caps%2C203&sr=8-1

"Prisoners of the Castle"... https://www.amazon.com/Prisoners-Castle-Survival-Colditz-Fortress/dp/0593136330/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1N1QL7UGLER8V&keywords=prisoners+of+the+castle+ben+macintyre&qid=1685066120&sprefix=Prisoners+of+the+castle%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-1

75. "Grave of the Fireflies" (1988) May 05, 2023

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Tonight we have not only a Japanese production but also our first animated movie. Since "Grave of the Fireflies" appeared in the late '80s, it has steadily garnered a following in the West, notably led by its biggest advocate, Roger Ebert. Seita, 14, must care for his 4-year-old sister Setsuko, after their home is destroyed and their mother killed in the firebombings of 1945. Regarded as one of the saddest movies ever made, this one really tests World War II Movie Night's mission to be a fun podcast, but we manage... Asides include a mini book club, the more unfortunate examples of dubbed movies, and war as a balm for the restlessness of youth.

74. "Halls of Montezuma" (1951) Apr 07, 2023

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Tonight World War II Movie Night covers the 1951 Marines-tribute, "Halls of Montezuma." The men have to take an unnamed Pacific island from the Japanese. Progress is going well until they're hit with rockets from an unknown location. With only hours to discover the source of the rockets, our guys must overcome their personal issues to complete a life-or-death quest. Although not as famous as many WWII combat-themed movies of the time, HoM sports some stylistic touches that likely influenced subsequent WWII films (including "Saving Private Ryan")... Aisdes include how people watched movies decades ago, the 1999 Columbine massacre, McCarthyism, and we say goodbye to a member of the awkwardly named World War II Movie Night Trophy Case.

73. "Black Book" (2006) Mar 17, 2023

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What happens when the guy who made "Robocop," "Basic Instinct" and "Showgirls" makes a World War II movie in his native Netherlands? Tonight we find out with the 2006 Dutch film, "Black Book." There's quite a bit of sex and violence (again, the guy) as Rachel/Ellis joins the Resistance Underground against their Nazi occupiers. All is not as it seems, though, and preconceptions about good guys and bad guys get jostled... Asides include the rather stunning fallout from "Showgirls," an ultra-obsucre movie about a murderous elevator, and the importance of brushing one's teeth after vomiting.

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72. "Twelve O'Clock High" (1949) Feb 17, 2023

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World War II Movie Night goes up and away yet again with 1949's "Twelve O'Clock High." Regarded as a darker take on the war, compared to more optimistic fare such as "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," "Twelve O'Clock High" follows the 918, an American bomber group flying missions out of England. Things are bad, though, so Gregory Peck is brought in to make the boys' lives miserable, compared to his softer-touch predacessor. Can Peck's Savage get the job done? Who will die, and who will merely lose his head?... Asides include the newspaper life, Harvey Weinstein, and movies that open with shots from way after the events of the movie (e.g., "Citizen Kane," "Sleepway Camp," etc.).

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

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71. "Biloxi Blues" (1988) Jan 27, 2023

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World War II Movie Night goes back to the comedy well with Neil Simon's "Biloxi Blues" a 1988 movie based on his play of the same name. Matthew Broderick is Jerome, a young Jewish man from Brooklyn who couldn't be more out of his element at boot camp in Mississippi. Will he fulfill his wish to lose his virginity? Will he ever shake the scrutiny of the sadistic drill sergeant (Christopher Walken)? We won't learn much about the war tonight, but we will try to have some fun, so sit back and enjoy... Asides include the concept of age-appropriateness in the 80s, Vietnam movies, the novels of Dostoevsky, and Ferris Bueller's treatment of minorities.

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

Check out our Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight

70. "Tora Tora Tora" (1970) Jan 06, 2023

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Tonight we conclude our Pearl Harbor series with 1970's "Tora Tora Tora," a perennial favorite of World War II-movie sticklers. The producer of "The Longest Day" wanted to do for Pearl Harbor what that movie did for D-Day. The result was Tora(3), a movie that incorporates twin productions about the event, one from the American perspective and one from the Japanese (with the actual planners of the real attack hired as consultants for accuracy!). A true World War II-movie cult classic... Asides include an obscure Memphis rock band, and what Yamamoto and George Carlin have in common.

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

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69. "Pearl Harbor" (2001) Dec 07, 2022

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Happy (?) Dec. 7! To mark the anniversary World War II Movie Night finally gets to the only movie to bear the event's name, 2001's "Pearl Harbor." A red-hot Michael Bay used his clout to make this Disney summer blockbuster (in a darkly ironic twist, released just a few months before Sept. 11). The results? Well... it's complicated. Tonight we explore not only the movie but the culture that surrounded it, and exactly why Michael Bay was so popular... Asides include-too many to name.

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

Check out our Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight

68. "In Harm's Way" (1965) Nov 18, 2022

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Tonight we revisit The Duke! with 1965's "In Harm's Way." He and Kirk Douglas head up this Otto Preminger film that begins with Pearl Harbor. Wayne's Rock Torrey is a Navy man who has to contend with new roles in the war while navigating a nurse love interest and the discovery of his son... Asides include a story about the Oscars, exploding trees, and TV shows "The Sopranos" and "Laverne & Shirley."

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

Check out our Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight

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