The Historical Movies Podcast

A World Cup Special for our 50th episode: we take look at Channel 4's extraordinary 1994 film The Impossible Job which forever immortalised by Graham Taylor's unforgettable lament, "Do I not like that." Following England manager Graham Taylor through the disastrous 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign, The Impossible Job captured something that simply couldn't exist today: total access, zero media t...

What did they change and why did they change it? Does it matter and shouldn't we all just shut up and enjoy the hit parade of 'Michael Jackson the Early Years'? Michael (2026), the Michael Jackson biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, has already become one of the most controversial films of the decade. Long before its release, the Michael Jackson movie sparked debate over...

In this episode of Historical Movies, we unpack and explain The Secret Agent (2025) — breaking down its plot, characters, themes, and ending, while exploring the turbulent historical period of Brazil in the 1970s that gives the film its meaning. We also discuss why it won none of the 4 Oscars it was nominated for, why it represents the genius of filmmaking and the real life legend of the Hairy Leg...

Wolfgang Petersen’s Das Boot (1981) is widely regarded as one of the greatest submarine films ever made: a claustrophobic, technically obsessive portrayal of life aboard a German U-boat during the Battle of the Atlantic. But how historically accurate is it really? Could a submarine actually survive the terrifying punishment shown in the film? Is it too sympathetic to the submariners fighting on th...

Fitzcarraldo (1982), directed by Werner Herzog and starring Klaus Kinski, is one of the most infamous productions in film history — a movie about obsession that was itself created through obsession. But how much of this Amazonian fever dream is rooted in real history? We explore the true story behind Fitzcarraldo, from the rubber boom in Peru to the real-life figure who inspired the film, Carlos F...

The Crying Game (1992), written and directed by Neil Jordan and starring Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson, Forest Whitaker and Jaye Davidson, became one of the most talked-about films of the 1990s — largely because of a twist that audiences were begged not to reveal. But how well does it hold up, and how does it sit within the real history of The Troubles? We explore the historical background behin...

An Extra few minutes discussing what we didn't get around to covering in the main episode. 📩 Stormed an island lately? Got thoughts on wartime ethics or your favourite men-on-a-mission classic? Email us at historicalmoviespodcast@gmail.com or find us @hmpodcast.bsky.social.

The Guns of Navarone (1961) - the greatest commando movie ever made - was, despite the swashbuckling adventure and high body-count, conceived as an anti-war, pacifist movie. We uncover the little-know fact that producer Carl Foreman (blacklisted from Hollywood) wrote the screen play as a strongly anti-war movie and was backed-up by stars of the movie Gregory Peck and Stanley Baker who both wanted...

We dissect the provocative 2025 film Eddington , written and directed by Ari Aster — the auteur behind Hereditary and Midsommar . Set in a fictional New Mexico town in May 2020, during the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic and national unrest, the movie stars Joaquin Phoenix as Sheriff Joe Cross and Pedro Pascal as Mayor Ted Garcia. The standoff between them becomes a micro-cosm of America’s deep di...

The Cold War comes to life in Thirteen Days (2000), directed by Roger Donaldson and starring Kevin Costner as advisor Kenneth O’Donnell during the Cuban Missile Crisis. We dive into the historical accuracy of Thirteen Days , how much Kenneth O’Donnell was actually responsible for ending the crisis (not much), the Excomm Tapes and the real players in JFK’s inner circle. We also look at how close th...

Emily (2022), written and directed by Frances O’Connor and starring Emma Mackey, imagines the inner life of Emily Brontë — the fiercely private author of Wuthering Heights. But how much of this windswept Gothic romance is real history, and how much is invention? And the big question: does Emily fail as a biopic by bending the facts — or does it succeed by capturing the Gothic spirit, emotional int...

Based on Homer’s Odyssey , The Return (2024) reimagines the legend of Odysseus’ journey through a modern, gritty lens. Directed by Uberto Pasolini and starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, the film explores loyalty, trauma, and the toll of long wars. We discuss the mythological and historical roots behind The Return , Homer’s Odyssey, why this is such a refreshing retelling of a classic tal...

The Last Samurai (2003), directed by Edward Zwick, dramatises Japan’s Meiji Restoration and the end of the samurai era. We break down the historical accuracy of The Last Samurai , the real-life inspiration behind Katsumoto and the Satsuma Rebellion, and how this movie gets the history of both sides of the conflict completely wrong. Plus: Tom Cruise’s widow-maker leg-over technique, samurai vs. Gat...

Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek star in the 2017 remake of Papillon , based on Henri Charrière’s memoir of imprisonment and escape from Devil’s Island. We explore the real history behind the real Papillon , from the notorious French penal colonies in Guiana, why they existed, to how much of Charrière’s incredible story is actually true. Plus: gym bros in prison, why this movie is like a cheap perfum...

Jack El-Hai, author of The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, joins us for this episode of the Historical Movies Podcast for an in-depth conversation about the true story behind Nuremberg (2025) — the new film based on his acclaimed nonfiction book. The Nazi and the Psychiatrist tells the remarkable real-life story of Dr. Douglas Kelley, the American psychiatrist tasked with evaluating Nazi leaders before...

Brian Clough vs. Leeds United — one of football’s greatest stories gets the cinematic treatment in The Damned United (2009), directed by Tom Hooper and starring Michael Sheen. We talk through the true story behind The Damned United , Clough’s chaotic 44 days at Leeds, and whether the film’s portrayal of Don Revie was fair play or foul. Plus: the real Peter Taylor bromance, managerial meltdowns, an...

Glory (1989), directed by Edward Zwick and starring Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick and Morgan Freeman, tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts — the first African-American regiment in the US Civil War. We explore the true history behind Glory , from the Battle of Fort Wagner to the realities of race, pay and military life in the 1860s. And where this movie did a disservice to the 54th. Plu...

Gary Oldman stars as Ludwig van Beethoven in Immortal Beloved (1994) — the dramatic retelling of the composer’s life and loves, directed by Bernard Rose. We unpack the historical accuracy behind Immortal Beloved , including the probable real identity of Beethoven’s “immortal beloved,” and the bizarre fact that neither of the two top candidates appear in this movie, Plus: did this movie focus too m...

What happens when Allied POWs take on Nazi Germany... in a football match? Escape to Victory (1980) — directed by John Huston and starring Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone and Pelé — brings together war film, sports movie and propaganda spectacle. We look at the true story behind Escape to Victory , including the so-called “Death Match” in occupied Ukraine, and whether Stallone really could have...

We're taking a summer break for a few months, but we'll be back soon, so watch this space! Plus Ros answers some of your questions and hands out the coveted 'awards' for series 1 of the podcast: including the ones the Academy were too cowardly to do! Thanks for listening to series 1 and if you'd like to get in touch drop us a line at historicalmoviespodcast@gmail.com or @hmpocast.bsky.social

Yoreflix: the NEW streaming service for historical drama. Interview with founder Imogen Cooper Yoreflix founder Imogen Cooper talks to Ros about the new streaming service for historical dramas and movies and outlines what makes it unique in the field of streaming platforms. We talk about Imogen’s background as an executive producer and her passion for history, what inspired her to create Yoreflix...

Amadeus (1984) takes centre stage for this episode of the Historical Movies Podcast: starring F. Murray Abraham as Antonia Salieri, Tom Hulce as ‘Wolfie’ Mozart and directed by Miloš Forman. Amadeus portrays Mozart as an arrogant, infantile, foul mouthed brat? But how historically accurate is that? And we also take a look at the supposed rivalry between these two 18th century composers. Plus: Moza...

Was The Two Popes (2019) a divine comedy of errors or a surprisingly accurate portrait of the modern Papacy? We explore the historical accuracy behind The Two Popes , starring Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins, directed by Fernando Meirelles and written by Anthony McCarten. We dig into what the filmmakers got right (and wrong) about Popes Benedict XVI and Francis: did they really watch the World...

Legends of the Fall – is it the most ‘90s movies of all time? We take a look through this classic from 1994, directed by Edward Zwick and starring Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn and Julia Ormond. We discuss some of the history covered including the true story behind the World War I football in the trenches, why Americans went off to fight for the British Empire and was Colonel Ludlow a su...

After covering 25 movies on the podcast we take some time out to answer some of the comments and questions you've contacted us with - some of which may be of dubious origin but all of which stimulate our discussion. Enjoy! Contact us at historicalmoviespodcast@gmail.com