Service On Celluloid

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A podcast from The National WWII Museum analyzing how World War II has been depicted on film.

National WWII Museum


    • Jan 25, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 36m AVG DURATION
    • 85 EPISODES

    4.8 from 234 ratings Listeners of Service On Celluloid that love the show mention: wwii history, celluloid, world war ii, ww2, museum, oral, mini episodes, military history, accuracy, histories, seth, german, murphy, historians, panel, films, buff, reviewed, national, factual.


    Ivy Insights

    The Service On Celluloid podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in World War II and the films that portray this era. Hosted by Seth Paridon of the National World War II Museum, this podcast features discussions about various WWII movies, with a balance between historical analysis and film critique. The panelists are knowledgeable and provide insightful commentary on the accuracy and entertainment value of each movie. Additionally, the podcast includes follow-up episodes that delve into the factual history behind the events portrayed in the films. Overall, this podcast offers a unique and engaging perspective on WWII cinema.

    One of the best aspects of The Service On Celluloid podcast is its combination of historical expertise and film criticism. The panelists bring their knowledge as historians to analyze the accuracy of each movie, providing viewers with valuable insights into how these films depict real-life events. At the same time, they also discuss the entertainment value of these movies, considering their storytelling techniques and cinematic elements. This balanced approach makes for an engaging discussion that appeals to both history buffs and film enthusiasts.

    Another strong point of this podcast is its choice of movies to review. It covers a wide range of films related to World War II, including both well-known classics and lesser-known gems. This eclectic selection ensures that listeners are exposed to a diverse array of cinematic representations of WWII. It also allows for a broader understanding of how different directors and filmmakers have approached this period in history.

    On the downside, some listeners have noted that the sound quality can be inconsistent at times. While this does not detract from the overall content, it can be a minor frustration for those who have difficulty hearing certain parts of the discussion. However, it is worth noting that despite these occasional technical issues, most listeners still find immense value in the podcast's content.

    In conclusion, The Service On Celluloid podcast is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in World War II cinema. Its blend of historical analysis and film critique provides an engaging and informative experience for listeners. With its knowledgeable panelists, diverse movie selection, and follow-up episodes delving into factual history, this podcast is a must-listen for WWII enthusiasts, film buffs, and educators alike.



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    Latest episodes from Service On Celluloid

    New Podcast: Making Masters of the Air

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2024 0:23


    Click HERE to follow the new podcast by The National WWII Musuem: Making Masters of the Air. Masters of the Air is an Apple Original series from executive producers of Band of Brothers and The Pacific, streaming January 26 on Apple TV+. The series follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group (the “Bloody Hundredth”) as they conduct perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany and grapple with the frigid conditions, lack of oxygen and sheer terror of combat conducted at 25,000 feet in the air. Masters of the Air is based on the best-selling book by Donald Miller, and features a stellar cast led by Academy Award nominee Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Anthony Boyle, Nate Mann, Rafferty Law, Academy Award nominee Barry Keoghan, Josiah Cross, Branden Cook and Ncuti Gatwa. The Making Masters of the Air podcast by The National WWII Museum is co-hosted by Playtone's Kirk Saduski and Donald Miller, author of the book, Masters of the Air. Listen to the premiere episode featuring an interview with Executive Producer Tom Hanks on Friday, January 26. Masters of the Air is an Apple Original series from executive producers of Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Streaming on January 26 on Apple TV+ 

    Host Seth Paridon Says Goodbye to The National WWII Museum

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2020 2:46


    After 15 years as a historian at The National WWII Museum, Seth Paridon has accepted a position as Deputy Director of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby.

    deputy director national wwii museum camp shelby
    Minisode To Stalag 17

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020 12:48


    "Stalag 17" is known for its attention to detail, but in this minisode we expand on aspects of the barracks in which the film did not highlight. Tune in as we discuss life at Stalag 17-B from the eyes of a prisoner at war.

    Stalag 17

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2020 55:11


    Adapted from a play by fellow prisoners of the camp, "Stalag 17" is dubbed as one of the most realistic portrayals of the American POW experience in Europe. Follow along as we delve into the details—set decorations, acts of deception, morale, and more—in this 1953 film.

    Minisode To Flags of Our Fathers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2020 18:28


    The controversy of the flag raisers was more complex than an identity crisis, but did it matter to the US Marines who were fighting on Iwo Jima? Hear a firsthand account from Colonel Dave Severance of E Company, 28th Marines speak about the moment the second flag was raised.

    Flags of Our Fathers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2020 56:51


    The flag raisers on Iwo Jima helped the Seventh War Bond Drive raise $26 billion dollars for the United States in 1945. Our panelists break down "Flags of Our Fathers" and whether the film accurately portrays the drama behind the most popular photograph of World War II.

    Minisode To Guadalcanal Diary

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2020 18:35


    "You nearly starve to death on a troop ship. We were really happy to get off that thing, even if it meant we were going to be killed,” said late US Marine, Dr. Sidney “Sid” Phillips. The fighting on Guadalcanal was just one purgatory of the first offensive in the Pacific.

    Guadalcanal Diary

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2020 51:59


    In a film produced for the Home Front, "Guadalcanal Diary" was made to boost morale while capturing the hallmark of US Marine Corps history. Families back home got a glimpse of the Pacific theater, but were they being told the truth?

    Minisode To Cross of Iron

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2020 12:18


    Operation Barbarossa launched Nazi Germany’s plot to conquer the Soviet Union on the Eastern Front in 1941. Death was certain for millions of soldiers and civilians.

    Cross of Iron

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2020 46:44


    Director Sam Peckinpah paints a slow motion picture of the Eastern Front during World War II, where German Wehrmacht no longer know why they are fighting. Tune in as we discuss if Sergeant Steiner and his men accurately represent history in "Cross of Iron."

    Minisode To The Negro Soldier

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2020 14:44


    Hear WWII veterans Edgar Cole, Harold Ward, and Roscoe Brown discuss their time in the segregated armed forces, where German POWs were treated better than African American soldiers.

    The Negro Soldier

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2020 49:03


    The War Department’s production of "The Negro Soldier" was culturally significant in 1944, but what is missing from this film? Listen as we discuss the US government’s first acknowledgment of African American contributions to war in this Frank Capra documentary.

    Minisode To The Bridge At Remagen

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2020 15:11


    "The Remagen bridgehead causes the Führer much anxiety,” wrote German Nazi politician Joseph Goebbels in his diary. Tune in to hear the late Sergeant Charles Hensel of the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion discuss the capture of the Ludendorff Bridge, and discover why Hitler was so anxious about the Americans entering Germany.

    The Bridge At Remagen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2020 50:33


    From lightning-speed tanks to real set demolition, we take on 1969’s "The Bridge at Remagen" this week. Tune in as we delve into the accuracy of this WWII film made at the height of the Vietnam War.

    Minisode To Hell Is For Heroes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2020 16:29


    Hear veterans David Roderick and James Flanagan describe how they conquered “the Westwall” in this week’s discussion about Hitler’s most daunting defense—the Siegfried Line.

    Hell Is For Heroes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2020 54:24


    In our discussion of "Hell Is for Heroes" (1962), we talk about the repercussions of the “replacement soldier” during the stalemate warfare on the Siegfried Line in 1944. Listen as we discuss the accuracy of this forgotten film that depicts the overlooked 95th Infantry Division.

    Minisode To Valkyrie

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2019 12:55


    Henning von Tresckow, a plot leader in the July 1944 assassination attempt of Adolf Hitler, once said, “It is almost certain that we will fail. But how will future history judge the German people if not even a handful of men had the courage to put an end to that criminal?” Follow along in our minisode to "Valkyrie" as we reflect on the “what-ifs” of the assassination attempts on Adolf Hitler, and if they could have changed the war or saved lives.

    Valkyrie

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2019 57:46


    This week our panelists are joined by critically acclaimed author and professor, Dr. Alexandra Richie, to judge the 2008 thriller "Valkyrie." Tune in as we explore the role of Claus von Stauffenberg in the last assassination attempt of Adolf Hitler, and whether the film replicates the actual attack on the Nazi régime.

    Minisode To Pearl Harbor

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2019 14:33


    "Pearl Harbor" (2001) may not tell the most accurate version of history, but in this minisode we tell the real stories of heroes Doris Miller, Kenneth Taylor, and George Welch. Listen to our host Seth Paridon and the voice of Roy “Swede” Boreen, a sailor who was aboard the USS Oklahoma on December 7, 1941, describe the date that will live in infamy.

    Pearl Harbor

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2019 58:17


    This week we bring you the much-anticipated dissection of Michael Bay’s grandiose portrayal of "Pearl Harbor" at the turn of the 21st century. Tune in to hear our experts review Hollywood’s take on the event that plunged the United States into war.

    Minisode To Operation Finale

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2019 12:36


    In the minisode to “Operation Finale,” Seth Paridon explores the escapes and trials of SS officers Josef Mengele, Josef Schwammberger, and Franz Stangl. From the “Angel of Death” at Auschwitz to superintendent of the T-4 Euthanasia Program, we take a look at the Nazis’ roles in the most notorious concentration and extermination camps.

    Operation Finale

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2019 58:25


    The story of Adolf Eichmann has been told and retold, but how does 2018’s “Operation Finale” compare to the past? Hear our panelists debate—in front of a live audience—the depiction of the Nazi officer responsible for Hitler’s “Final Solution” and if the film lives up to Eichmann’s truly dramatic capture.

    Minisode To From Here To Eternity

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2019 13:29


    Following last week’s discussion of “From Here to Eternity,” tune in this week to hear WWII veterans Clarence Herbert Weatherwax and Nolan Albarado discuss their experiences at Schofield Barracks during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

    From Here To Eternity

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2019 51:39


    With its blockbuster cast—Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Donna Reed, Frank Sinatra, to name but a few—1953’s “From Here to Eternity” is the study of a peacetime Army. How well does this Academy Awards winner capture life in Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor?

    Minisode To Downfall

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2019 14:27


    Many of the historical figures in 2004’s “Downfall” are lesser known to American audiences. In this minisode, we provide additional context on those who surrounded Hitler during his final days.

    Downfall

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2019 58:50


    The 2004 German film “Downfall” is much more than the Internet memes it’s arguably most known for. This week our panelists look at the depiction of Hitler and his inner circle in their last days, living within a bunker during the end of the war in Europe.

    Minisode To The Bridge On The River Kwai

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2019 18:12


    Tune in to this week's minisode to hear the real story behind the construction of the Railway of Death from WWII Navy veterans Howard Brooks (pictured) and Alois Kopp. Listen to see if the movie's depiction of the Burma–Thai railway was accurately portrayed.

    The Bridge On The River Kwai

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2019 53:42


    “The Bridge on the River Kwai” won 1958's Academy Awards for Best Picture, along with six other Oscars. Tune in to see if our panel feels that the 1957 British-American epic captured the true history of the construction of the Burma Railway.

    Minisode To April 9th

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2019 13:48


    In this minisode, we dig deeper into the German invasion of the West in 1940.

    April 9th

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2019 54:01


    This week our panelists dissect the 2015 film “April 9th," about a little-known action of the war—the German invasion of Denmark in 1940. Tune in to see if the filmmakers accurately portrayed this brief but dramatic WWII clash.  

    Minisode To The Dirty Dozen

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2019 11:52


    While “The Dirty Dozen” is fiction, there were many actual covert operations in World War II.  Tune in to hear about some of the real-life stories that inspired the movie.

    The Dirty Dozen

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2019 53:48


    “Train them! Excite them! Arm them! . . . Then turn them loose on the Nazis!” read a marketing slogan for 1967’s “The Dirty Dozen.” The “Service on Celluloid” panel’s mission this week is to explore the real WWII history behind the blockbuster film’s wild story. 

    Minisode to Catch-22

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2019 19:45


    In this week’s follow-up to our “Catch-22” episode, we dive into the realities of the air war over Europe and learn how it was far from glorious.

    Catch-22

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2019 63:54


    In 1970, Roger Ebert had some harsh words for the Mike Nichols-directed cinematic version of Joseph Heller's WWII classic: "'Catch-22’ the movie is essentially a parasite, depending on the novel for its vitality.” Will our panel agree?

    Minisode To Tender Comrade

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2019 14:27


    In this companion minisode to our discussion of the Home Front melodrama “Tender Comrade,” we hear firsthand accounts of wartime work from Betty Reid Soskin (California's Kaiser Shipyards) and Rosemary Elfer (Higgins Industries in New Orleans).

    Tender Comrade

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2019 61:48


    A vehicle for Ginger Rogers to inspire patriotism on the Home Front, 1944's "Tender Comrade" later had unintended consequences for its writer and director. The "Service on Celluloid" panel explores the stories behind the story. 

    Minisode To The Pianist

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2019 14:14


    This week we follow our episode on “The Pianist” with firsthand accounts from Holocaust survivor and piano prodigy Zhanna Arshanskaya Dawson (pictured).

    The Pianist

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2019 61:50


    This week our panel sits down with Sara Abosch-Jacobson from The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum to discuss 2002’s “The Pianist” starring Adrien Brody as Wladyslaw Szpilman.

    Minisode To The Story of G.I. Joe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2019 21:33


    This week we hear from veterans Raymond Wells and Joseph Hochadel (pictured) as they recount their experiences at the battles of Monte Cassino and San Pietro, as seen in “The Story of G.I. Joe.”

    The Story of G.I. Joe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2019 58:11


    General Dwight D. Eisenhower referred to "The Story of GI Joe" as "the greatest war picture I've ever seen." Will the "Service on Celluloid" panelists agree?

    Minisode To Grave Of The Fireflies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2019 21:01


    Following our "Service on Celluloid" panel’s discussion on the anime classic "Grave of the Fireflies," tune in to hear from WWII veterans Paul Dietzel, Richard Baile, and Maynard David (pictured) as they provide their firsthand accounts of the firebombing of Japan.

    Grave of the Fireflies

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2019 61:42


    The firebombing campaign on Japan near the end of World War II was waged with devastating success. In “Grave of the Fireflies” - considered an amine classic - filmmaker Isao Takahata explores how the bombing affected the civilian population. Join the “Service on Celluloid” panel for a discussion of the film’s historical accuracy and emotional impact. 

    Minisode To A Bridge Too Far

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2019 19:18


    After you’ve heard the “Service on Celluloid” panel’s discussion about the 1977 epic “A Bridge Too Far,” return to Operation Market Garden on a new minisode featuring WWII veteran eyewitnesses T. Moffatt Burriss and Theo Finkbeiner.

    A Bridge Too Far

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2019 55:47


    Operation Market Garden, the ill-fated Airborne action of mid-September 1944, is the subject of Richard Attenborough’s star-studded “A Bridge Too Far” (Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Gene Hackman, Ryan O’Neal, and many more). Critic Roger Ebert wrote that it “went two or even three bridges too far.”  Will the "Service on Celluloid" panel agree?

    Minisode To The Monuments Men

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2019 15:50


    On this week’s minisode we’ll hear from Harry L. Ettlinger (pictured), who was the inspiration for the Private Sam Epstein character (as portrayed by Dimitri Leonidas) in "The Monuments Men." (Image courtesy of the National Museum of American Jewish Military History.)

    The Monuments Men

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2019 57:35


    Based on the research of author Robert M. Edsel, the 2014 film "The Monuments Men" has a big-name cast (George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, and others) and a gripping true story about rescuing the art treasures of Europe from the Nazis. The "Service on Celluloid" podcast panel weighs how well it tells that story. 

    Kelly's Heroes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2019 48:56


    The 1970 satire "Kelly's Heroes," starring Clint Eastwood and a large cast of scene bandits (including WWII veteran Don Rickles), looked at World War II through the lens of the Vietnam era. Our "Service on Celluloid" panel observes that the film gets a surprising number of details just right.

    Minisode to Mrs. Miniver

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2019 14:31


    The 1942 drama “Mrs. Miniver,” subject of the most recent "Service on Celluloid" podcast, depicts life on the British Home Front during the time of Dunkirk and the Blitz. Tune in to this week's minisode for a deeper dive into these historic events.

    Mrs. Miniver

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2019 61:22


    Winston Churchill said “Mrs. Miniver” was “propaganda worth 100 battleships.” Join the "Service on Celluloid" podcast panelists to explore how the film also provides an insightful look at the lives of those on the Home Front during World War II.

    Minisode to Casablanca

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2019 17:31


    The "Service on Celluloid" exploration of “Casablanca” and its real-life setting continues with the story of Hélène Cazès-Benatar, who founded the Moroccan Refugee Aid Committee in 1940 to help Jewish refugees arriving in Casablanca.

    Casablanca

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2019 53:20


    Rick came to Casablanca for the waters. He was misinformed. This week, the “Service on Celluloid” podcast panel informs your appreciation for “Casablanca” by exploring the WWII history behind the 1942 Warner Bros. classic.  

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