History in Technicolor

Ridley Scott's long awaited latest epic; a 'character study' of one of the most influential figures of European history, who reshaped a continent. It has been accompanied by furious debate, criticism, praise and confusion. Henry, Wolf and David rushed to see it, and to chat about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christopher Nolan's biography of J Robert Oppenheimer is visually stunning, rich, ambitious...also quite long. Did it engage you, was it thought provoking, present a convincing view of it's subject? We talk about that. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Released in 1863 The Great Escape has got to be one of the definitive tales of derring-do, the ultimate escapism, in the 'film is fun' genre. What role would you have had if you had been there? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I remember back in 1981 this film was a sensation; we were all running around on beaches in slo-mo. Has it stood the test of time, though, and is it any more than a bit of fluff? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jane Campion's Bright Star was released in 2009 and featured on the lives of Fanny Browne and John Keats in the last years of Keat's life. Abbie Cornish and Ben Wishaw do a brilliant job of recreating their lives Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ridley Scott's classic - is it, and were you entertained or did it unleash hell? Has it stood the test of time? And how well does the revenge format work? This and much more - and a discussion of the ubiquitous agricultural yield ratios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lost King follows the remarkable story of Ricardian Phillipa Langley, whose steely determination and persistence led to the discovery of the body of Richard III and paints the academic community as determined to write her out of the story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The evil British oppressor Captain Russell - twiddly 'tache and all - forces the poor hapless (and stonkingly rich) Raja to impose the traditional tax, Lagaan threefold on the villagers unless they beat the English overlord at their weird game - Cricket (pre IPL days, obs). Find out what happens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 1967 film noir adaptation of Truman Capote's famous book, In Cold Blood tells of the gruesome story of the murders of the Clutter family. It used a quasi document style, and is not only strikingly filmed, but makes you ask why these people died. It won multiple nominations for Academy Awards. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

This 2018 film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos is a glorious tragi-comedy about the lives of three women - Queen Anne, Sarah Churchill and Abigail Hill. It travels the full spectrum from barking mad to genuinely moving. It is a blast. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rob Roy is a 1995 film telling a story of a Highland clan chief Rob Roy McGregor played by Liam Neeson; Jessica :Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth, Brian Cox are superb. The best film about scotland in 1995 for sure. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cromwell was a 1970 film starring Richard Harris as the eponymous, and Alec Guiness as Charles I. Massive in scale and ambition, in its attempt to present Oliver as a democratic hero of the people. Does it manage it? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Marie Antoinette is the 2006 film directed by Sophia Coppola. It took a highly stylised and sumptuous approach, with modern music – though nailing the cake thing. Reception was quite hostile – but maybe has improved? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Duellists is Ridley Scott's first feature film, in 1977. It describes a vicious feud of honour between two officers over the course of the Napoleonic wars See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 1964 Epic Zulu, first major role for Michael Caine was super popular - I saw it in my youth for sure. So how well has it worn? Is it a great drama, and in the light of changing attitudes to colonialism and Empire does it still stir the blood, in a good way? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ridley Scott's 2005 historical epic came soon after the massive success of Gladiator, and consciously aimed to repeat it's success. It didn't manage it, but the Director's Cut was better received, and the film has very strong themes about religious fanaticism; and is a visual treat. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Monty Python produced two deeply researched dramas analysing the reign of the great British Hero King Arthur, and the religious leader, Brian. How accurate are they, and are we still a Python worshiping country? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 1995 film about the Spanish Civil war, directed by Ken Loach and heavily influenced by Orwell's Homage to Catalonia. The film sees the war through the eyes of an English communist who goes to fight for the POUM militia. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A 1941 Powell and Pressburger film designed to persuade the American people of the need to join the war against the Nazis. "Goebbels considered himself an expert on propaganda, but I thought I'd show him a thing or two" said Pressburger. Did the film work? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The massacre at St Peters Field in 1819 was a key date in the story of the development of democracy in Britain. Mike Lee's film sets out to restore that sense of outrage in loving and angry detail. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The stunning 2013 Japanese animated historical drama by the master, Hayao Miyazaki. The Wind Rises is a biographical film of Jiro Horikoshi (1903–1982), designer of the Mitsubishi A5M fighter aircraft and its successor, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, used by the Empire of Japan during World War II. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 2013 film directed by Amma Asante tells the story of the daughter of an enslaved African woman and Captain Lindsey, against the background of the Zhong slave ship court case. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 1933 classic from Alexander Korda which certainly convinced my mother that Henry VIII threw chicken bones around. It was a major international success, in particular for Charles Laughton, See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

2013 film about the 'Godfather of Punk' Terri Hooley set against the Troubles of the 1970 in Northern Ireland. And described by Mark Kermode as the best film of 2018 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 1992 film staring Daniel Day Lewis in the adaptation of James Cooper's novel, set in early colonial America See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A very English drama about the dig on the eve of WWII which reveal one of the most dramatic discoveries in English archaeology - the 7th Century burial ship of Raedwald (probably) king of the East Saxons and one of Bede's Bretwalda See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Re-issued (not new) 'cos it didn't appear on the HiT feed anywhere. And we've reached Elizabeth on THoE too...The 1998 film ‘Elizabeth’ covers the reign of Queen Mary, and Elizabeth’s early years – and her arrival at a critical decision See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An Indian epic of epic proportions - colour, drama,. music, dancing, big stars, big budget - on the story of Maratha Peshwa Bajirao I (1700–1740 AD) and his second wife, Mastani. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Samuel Bronston's whopping epic, directed by Anthony Mann, failed to win audiences and was a financial disaster for Bronston. But it presents a well worked view of why Rome fell, and some great performances by James Mason and Christopher Plummer. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The story of Beethoven's life and music, through the lens of the mystery he left behind - who was the 'Immortal Beloved?' The Music is great, by the way. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Paths of Glory is an anti war movie released in 1957, directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Kirk Douglas. Who does take his shirt off. It's based a novel but on a real case of French soldiers who refuse to continue a suicidal attack. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A romp, ladies and gentlemen. Chaucer walking naked after betting his shirt, peasants jousting as knights, rock music at medieval jousts. A bit of fun or hideous tosh? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 1989 film's trip through time started by being received most heinously by critics, and yet it's journey has been most unprecedented until now it is remembered most excellently. though probably not for the quality of its history. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 2010 movie depicts the fight for women's rights at the Ford Dagenham site in 1968. loads of fun and laughter all mixed up with series issues produces a really good feel good movie. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The historical drama directed by Ava DuVernay is about personal bravery, about moving, dramatic - and controversial events. Did it tell the story fairly? And did it convey the drama and engage the heart? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In celebration of St George's Day, we watched Kenneth Branagh's Henry V. Was it a triumph of the order of Agincourt's, or worse than the Duke of Bedford's haircut? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Not quite sure how many times I have watched Das Boot, but it is legion. A story of the war in one campaign, of the comradeship on board, and the terrors of living at the mercy of the sea See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's an adventure, exploration yarn! Good solid honest stuff - British explorer Percy Fawcett journeys into the Amazon, where he discovers evidence of a previously unknown, advanced civilization. But was he the hero he was cracked up to be? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Glen Longwell joins Wolf and I to compare and contrast 3 Robin Hood movies. Plus we had some questions so hie thee to the Facebook group to pitch in. We talk 1938, 1991, 2010 - and a brief homage to Disney, of course. Which will win?! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When I was at school we constantly discussed the book; we were fascinated by it, including where they kept their money (really? Ewe). So what about the film? How did the world's coolest ever actor and Dustin do? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We discuss the intricate and fascinating story of Mary Queen of Scots and the new 2018 movie - along with the 1971 movie too. A chance to see how the our mores and filmmaking have moved on See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The first of an occasional series where we look at the representation of folk tales and beliefs of the past, and how accurately film has presented them. We are joined in the shed by our Witch expert, Millie See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Such a classic - Katherine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole giving it large, plus the world's most appalling article of clothing (see if you can spot which). Was it accurate? Was it fun? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Made in 1966 by Italian neo-realist director Gillo Pontecorvo, the film is based the actions of rebels and French government during the Algerian War of 1954–62. So realistic was it, that it has been used as a training film. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lady Jane was the first leading role for a very young Helena Bonham Carter, and a film debut for the renowned theatre director Trevor Nunn. Plus its an amazing story. So, surely nothing could go wrong? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is one of the two movies my father picked out for me when I was nobbut a lad. It won 5 Oscars, was voted 3 on the BFI's list of best films of all time. It is a majestic masterpiece, telling the story of the Arab revolt in WWI, through the eyes of T E Lawrence, an intelligence office in the British army. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The story of Puyi the Last Emperor of China is the MOST sumptuous of films, beautifully shot, it's an extraordinary story, and the history it passes through is fascinating. Was it all worth it? Do you root for the characters? As an authorised film - did it pull its punches? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Once you've watched A Bridge too Far, you realise that you have just been playing with history movies. This film sets out its stall to tell you everything you ever wanted to know, and a few things you didn't, about Operation Market Garden. Was it also a good film? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alan Bennett's play and film is a triumph on so many levels - it's sensitivity towards mental health, the rehabilitation of the character of a king from unfair historical judgement, it's very funny, with great music. Or is that just me? And is it accurate? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 1993 film which tries to present a balanced picture of Geronimo and his armed resistance - through the eyes of a young US army officer. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I, David Crowther, have managed to get to 54 without seeing Braveheart ended to end. I thought I cannot do this podcast without watching it. Find out if that proved a good or bad thing, and then come and discuss your perspective on Braveheart. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.