History in Technicolor show

History in Technicolor

Summary: Wolf and David explore the history films we love or (or sometimes, films we’d loved just a little less but find interesting). Turns out we like different things…anyway, then we given them a score for two things – how good are they as a film, and how accurate are they with their history.When you’ve listened, join us at the History of England Facebook Group – you can vote, and tell us what you think of the film, and you can even tell us (in no uncertain terms) what you think of our views (while writing to your MP in the strongest possible terms).

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Podcasts:

 Zulu | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:54:21

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.

 Kingdom of Heaven | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:55:20

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 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:09:56

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.

 Land and Freedom | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:41:46

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.

 49th Parallel | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:40:42

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.

 Peterloo | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:51:45

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 Wind Rises | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:51:56

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.

 Belle | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:42:31

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 Private Life of Henry VIII | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:42:54

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.

 Good Vibrations | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:38:00

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 Last of the Mohicans | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:40:31

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.

 The Dig | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:47:37

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.

 Elizabeth | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:30:42

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.

 Bajirao Mastani | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 00:45:23

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.

 The Fall of the Roman Empire | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 01:03:43

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.

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