World War II Movie Night

Latest Episodes:

57. "Voyage of the Damned" (1976) Apr 01, 2022

Show notes

Ahoy! Tonight we set sail for Cuba. But with a title like "Voyage of the Damned," it's gonna be a choppy ride. A popular 1974 book became this 1976 movie, which tells the true story of the St. Louis. More than 900 Jews were allowed to leave Germany in 1939 aboard this ocean liner. For some (including those in concentration camps), it was a Godsend, but things are revealed to be not what they seem. A star-studded cast gave this movie high hopes, even though it was judged to have fallen short... Asides include an out-of-left-field reference to Barry Manilow.

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56. "To Hell and Back" (1955) Mar 04, 2022

Show notes

Tonight we look at 1955's "To Hell and Back," in which Audie Murphy plays himself, doing stuff he actually did in the War. Audie didn't like the movie, but Audie-nces did, making THaB mega-successful, and seemingly influential on WWII movies for decades to come... asides include, hmm, I guess the hand gestures some of us make when we forget our Covid masks.

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Check out what Stu's doing at http://twitter.com/StuMatthews5

55. "Munich - The Edge of War" (2022) Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

World War II Movie Night does its second (only?!) NEW movie with "Munich - The Edge of War." Jeremy Irons grows out the 'stache to play former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, a man whose actions vis-a-vis Hitler and the War are hotly debated to this day. The larger story of Chamberlain's and Hitler's Munich negotiations is the backdrop for a fictional one about two former college buds who could play an unexpected - and dangerous - role in the conference... Asides include my personal nueroses re: being a third wheel.

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

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54. "The Guns of Navarone" (1961) Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

"I'm the Guns of the Navarone!" World War II Movie Night tackles this 1961 listener pick that some consider alongside such big-budget epics as "The Great Escape" and "Bridge on the River Kwai." A successful novel became a successful movie considered a classic of high-adventure cinema... asides include the moral responsibility of parents to teach their kids to swim, and I finally saw "Dune" (and there's a weird parallel to tonight's movie).

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

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

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53. "1941" (1979) Jan 01, 2022

Show notes

You might need a drink - or some other outlet - to get through tonight's episode, as World War II Movie Night tackles Steven Spielberg's forgotten WWII comedy, 1979's "1941". Spielberg was reportedly fraught with uncertainty in his first try at comedy, so he threw every kind of joke into "1941," including many he'd rather you forget. Citizens of the West Coast are worried that after Pearl Harbor they're next, which results in ever manner of paranoid, war-crazy behavior. Of course, a Japanese sub looking to destroy 'Hollywood' somewhat justifies their fears, as both John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd do their things as a crazed fighter pilot and fast-talking, zealous tank commander, respectively... Asides include Bob Woodward, the Battle of Los Angeles, and the decadent lifestyles of movie people in the 70s/early 80s.

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

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52. "The Pawnbroker" (1964) Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

World War II Movie Night delves into 1964's "The Pawnbroker." Many Jewish and Black groups objected to this movie upon its release, supposedly for negative stereotypes. Rod Steiger gives a career-jumpstarting performance as Sol Nazerman, an embittered Holocaust-survivor who runs an East Harlem pawnshop. Sol regards his customers as scum, and doesn't think much better of the multiple people he sets up. But a local crime boss and vague anniversary threaten to re-awaken dormant traumas in this classic of bummer cinema... Asides include Philip Roth and Bob Dylan.

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

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

Consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/WorldWarTwoMovieNight

51. "Where Eagles Dare" (1968) Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

You won't know who to trust as World War II Movie Night goes "Where Eagles Dare." Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood lead an operation to rescue an American general from an impregnable German castle. Pretty clear-cut, right? Actually no. Unexpected events make clear something more is going on. High action mixes with intrigue in this 1968 British classic... Asides include Iron Maiden, yes, that Iron Maiden.

Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com

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

Consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/WorldWarTwoMovieNight

Also, check out this funny/cool Iron Maiden music video about tonight's movie (I have nothing to do with this video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SECnJBqP4WQ

50. "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) Oct 22, 2021

Show notes

It's time for World War II Movie Night's 50th episode! We begin with a State of the Podcast address, which includes reflections, status-updates, thank-yous, and a couple announcements... Then we get into it: Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan." We look at how this pivotal movie from 1998 changed World War II cinema forever, and reinvigorated interest in the War in general... Asides? Well we explore how SPR affected the careers of its many actors, the ups and the downs.

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49. "Escape from Sobibor" (1987) Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

A little different tonight as World War II Movie Night explores the 1987 British TV movie, "Escape from Sobibor." Alan Arkin and Rutger Hauer star in this death-camp tale that hews closely to real events, and real people. Life in Sobibor is horrible, survival is always in doubt, and escape seems impossible. But as the smokestacks at the far end of the camp remind them, our protagonists must find a way. Will they?... Asides in this tangent-heavy episode include choice Rutger Hauer movies from the '80s, the ironic death of Philip K. Dick, and the 1983 TV movie "The Day After."

48. "Paths of Glory" (1957) Sep 10, 2021

Show notes

Grab your pith helmet! Because tonight we cheat for the second time with a World War I movie, Stanley Kubrick's "Paths of Glory" from 1957. This tight, compact movie offers a unique anti-war theme. After an offensive goes badly, a vindictive general demands three soldiers be tried for cowardice and shot. Kirk Douglas, as the men's commander, defends them against the capricious charges. Will he succeed? Or will he come up against an ingrained corruption too big to fight? Dig how this movie is short, but deceptively complex... asides include many things Stanley Kubrick, even the improbable connection to a Florida sex-rap act.

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