Reel History

May 10 2024 82
Reel History Podcast artwork

Welcome to Reel History! On this podcast we talk about historical movies and TV, anything that claims to be based on a true story, and we check – how bad did they mess it up? What was life actually like during that time period? That’s why we’re here – to separate the real history from the Reel History! Hosted by two Irish history buffs and a Swedish guy who doesn’t know anything about history. Part of the Shows What You Know network; find all our podcasts at ShowsWhatYouKnow.com. Cover art by Kim Boland. Follow us @Reel_History and don’t forget to rate and review!

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Napoleon III | FALL (1806-1815)

May 10 2024 91 mins  
‘What a pity the man wasn’t lazy ’ remarked the wily French diplomat Talleyrand as he later lamented on how Napoleon’s restless energy had led him to dominate Europe and the age against all odds. But of course, you know all this dear listener as you’ve already accompanied us on the first two episodes of our whirlwind tour covering the first French emperor’s incredible r

Napoleon II | REIGN (1799-1805)

Apr 25 2024 75 mins  
“The revolution is over… I AM the revolution!” proclaimed Mark dramatically as we recently sat down to record this second sortie into our trilogy on the man behind the myth – Napoleon! No, but seriously, these were the confidently spoken words of a 30-year-old 1st Consul Bonaparte in 1800 as he presented himself as saviour to the war-weary French at the dawn of a ne

Napoleon I | RISE (1769-1798)

Apr 11 2024 75 mins  
Load the canon, survey the battlefield and hold onto your bicorne as we take aim at Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ (2023)! Much like Napoleon’s Grande Armée in Russia, we’ve bitten off more than we can chew (in just one episode) so will be delivering up a thrilling trilogy to do justice to the triumphs and follies of the French Emperor who Churchill described as the greatest

Robin Hood (1991) | A Thief & Two Kings (1194)

Mar 28 2024 82 mins  
“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” catapults audiences into the heart of medieval England, where the legendary outlaw Robin Hood leads a band of merry men in a daring revolt against tyranny and injustice. Directed by Kevin Reynolds and starring Kevin Costner in the titular role, this epic adventure weaves together action, romance, and heroism in a timeless tale of courage

Malcolm X (1992) | American Civil Rights (1965)

Mar 14 2024 16 mins  
“That’s too much power for one man to have,” said police Captain Green when, with a mere wave of his hand, Malcolm X dispersed an entire crowd of the Nation of Islam. It’s time we took in a Spike Lee joint! “Malcolm X” tells the gripping story of one of the most influential figures in the American civil rights movement. Directed by Spike Lee and starring Den

King Arthur (2004) | Dark Age Britain (410 CE)

Feb 29 2024 79 mins  
In episode 4 of Season 4 we’re diving into the 2004 film adaptation of King Arthur, marketed as the epitome of historical accuracy but leaving much to be desired. With a star-studded cast led by Clive Owen and Keira Knightley, the film aimed to elevate the Arthurian legend to new heights but ultimately stumbled in its execution. Join us as we dissect the discrepancies between

Bonus Episode: The Rasputin Special

Feb 21 2024 23 mins  
This is a Patreon preview – find the full Rasputin Special at patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast We delve deep into the world of Grigori Rasputin, the Siberian mystic whose influence over the last Tsar of Russia and his family altered the course of history. Adding onto our Anastasia episode on the main feed, the Rasputin Special takes you on a journey through the life, legends, a

Anastasia (1997) | Fall of the House of Romanov (1917)

Feb 15 2024 75 mins  
This is our PATREON’S CHOICE of Season 4 – a vote was put to our Patrons and Anastasia was the top pick! If you want to influence future topic selection, and get a Fabergé egg’s worth of bonus episodes for a mere 3 rubels, head to patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast Step into the fantastical world of animated royalty and historical intrigue as we take on the tall tale

Bonus Episode: The Discovery of Troy

Feb 08 2024 28 mins  
Welcome to another Reel History Patreon Preview! You can find the full 1 hour bonus show at patreon.com/reelhistorypodcast, along with a dozen additional bonus shows, all available for merely 3 drachmas per month! This time we’re exploring the rediscovery of the ancient city of Troy by amateur archeologist/dynamite enthusiast Heinrich Schliemann. Forget about your modern-day

Troy (2004) | The Rage of Achilles (1175 BCE)

Feb 01 2024 74 mins  
What awaits you on this episode? GLORY! TAKE IT! ITS YOURS! Yes, we are paraphrasing the awful dialogue delivered haplessly by Brad Pitt in the 2004 Wolfgang Petersen epic, Troy. Loosely (very loosely) based on the Homeric poem, the Iliad, the movie explores the legendary Trojan War, a conflict sparked by the love affair between Paris, Prince of Troy, and Helen, Queen of Sparta. St