Danger Close

A War Film Podcast
  • 4.8 (67)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Join a Marine Veteran, a film critic, and a theater director as they laugh, argue, and explore the history of humanity's triumphs and tragedies through war films old and new. War is Hell. People make films about it. And we love to talk about them.

  1. Gladiator (2000)

    08/22/2025

    Gladiator (2000)

    This episode was supposed to be...checks notes...The Manchurian Candidate! But since we have been on hiatus for a while, we decided to change it up and pick a film that we know the audience has been waiting for, and that at least one of us would have some hot takes about. Don't worry, we will still release the other film soon. But today! Today is the day for a Ridley Scott epic swords & sandals film: Gladiator (2000). Set during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and his son Commodus, this one takes us back to ancient Rome, around 180 CE. We follow Russell Crowe's character Maximus as he goes from general to slave to gladiator on a quest to avenge his murdered wife and son, depicted in grand scale with some of the best fight scenes put on film (depending on who you ask). This is our first time covering the time period, and we did the research to satisfy all but the nerdiest of Roman history nerds. So buckle up and join us as we revisit this classic of the 21st century! Next Episode: The Zone of Interest (2023) Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! Our website: www.dangerclosepod.com Join our Facebook group at: Danger Close - Podcast Discussion Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1442264899493646/) If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! If you would like to support the show and get extra episodes where we discuss sci-fi, fantasy, and comedy war movies, join our Patreon for only $4 a month at: www.dangerclosepod.com/support warmovies #warfilms #war #film #films #movies #history #cinema #Rome #Roman #Ancient #Gladiator

    2h 22m
  2. Paths of Glory (1957)

    01/08/2025

    Paths of Glory (1957)

    Half stoic war epic and half frustrating courtroom melodrama, this early Kubrick film proved unassumingly controversial upon its release in comparison with the auteur’s later works. Banned at one time or another in France, Switzerland, Fascist Spain, and US Military bases, and mostly overshadowed by The Bridge on the River Kwai from the same year, Paths of Glory was not a big hit with audiences and was completely ignored by the Academy. Over the subsequent decades, its critical reception and some recognition from international awards kept it in the cultural consciousness enough to earn glowing reappraisals, and to make it a frequent fixture on a lot of GOAT lists today. Next Episode: Gladiator (2000) Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! Our website: www.dangerclosepod.com Join our Facebook group at: Danger Close - Podcast Discussion Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1442264899493646/) If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! If you would like to support the show and get extra episodes where we discuss sci-fi, fantasy, and comedy war movies, join our Patreon for only $4 a month at: www.dangerclosepod.com/support warmovies #warfilms #war #film #films #movies #history #cinema #WWI #Worldwarone #lpathsofglory #kubrick

    1h 48m
  3. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

    10/05/2024

    Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

    Well, this one hardly needs an introduction and is as epic and sweeping as it gets. This is a film we have been wanting to cover for over two years, and finally the stars aligned. It is on just about every cinephile and film industry professional’s top ten greatest films of all time, often filling the number one spot. If you haven’t seen it, it is well worth watching in the highest quality and biggest screen you can. The 4K restoration is fantastic, and Dune or The English Patient would not be the same without director David Lean’s masterpiece to influence them. Alec Guinness, Peter O’Toole, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, and myriad great actors of their time star in this telling of the myth and some of the true history behind T.E. Lawrence, famous British archaeologist and military officer who played a hand during World War I in shaping what the Middle East looks like today, and arguably influenced the fates of many Arab peoples during their fight for independence from the Ottoman Empire. Join Dan, Kt, and Liam as we explore the nuances and pitfalls of this incredibly enduring piece of cinema history from 1962. Poster by Zachariah Wheeler http://zwheeler.bigcartel.com Next episode: Paths of Glory (1957) Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! Our website: www.dangerclosepod.com Join our Facebook group at: Danger Close - Podcast Discussion Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1442264899493646/) If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! If you would like to support the show and get extra episodes where we discuss sci-fi, fantasy, and comedy war movies, join our Patreon for only $4 a month at: www.dangerclosepod.com/support warmovies #warfilms #war #film #films #movies #history #cinema #WWI #Worldwarone #lawrenceofarabia

    2h 16m
  4. Platoon (1986)

    08/10/2024

    Platoon (1986)

    A lot can (and has) been said about this film. It's one of the very few that might actually achieve the status of "anti-war" film, or at least refrains from glamorizing it. It can't be accused of inaccuracy or overt messaging, because it is admittedly a picture of writer-director Oliver Stone's own experiences volunteering for the American War in Vietnam, fictionalized for the screen, but based on events he saw first hand. While it's the only film Charlie Sheen has ever been good in (disclaimer: this is solely Dan's opinion, you can @ him directly), Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger are the big stars leading a huge cast of mostly unknown actors who later became famous: Sheen the Younger himself, Johnny Depp, Keith David, John C McGinley, among many others. They portray infantrymen at war in all of its grime, sweat, bugs, confusion, and moral ambiguity. And none of the glory. The cinematography is claustrophobic and purposefully confusing, the Oscar-winning sound design relentless, the performances indelible. Join us as we discuss the grueling production, emotional impact, and continued legacy of this important American film. Widely available for streaming. Next episode: Lawrence of Arabia (1962) Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! Our website: www.dangerclosepod.com Join our Facebook group at: Danger Close - Podcast Discussion Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1442264899493646/) If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! If you would like to support the show and get extra episodes where we discuss sci-fi, fantasy, and comedy war movies, join our Patreon for only $4 a month at: www.dangerclosepod.com/support warmovies #warfilms #war #film #films #movies #history #cinema #vietnam #oliverstone #platoon

    1h 51m
  5. Mulan (1998)

    07/19/2024

    Mulan (1998)

    Buckle up, Danger Close fans! We went way off the usual list this time and chose a Disney renaissance film that is also decidedly a war film. From the training scenes, to the battles, to a glorious last minute rescue of the emperor, Mulan fits most of the tropes for a war film. It's also for kids and embraces that 90's Girl Power movement that was so prevalent at the time. You will get to hear us dish about our childhood Disney favorites, debate the quality of the songs and soundtrack, and dissect Disney's intentions with this story. But don't worry, we also have our usual history section (with a hell of a forthcoming surplus ordnance thanks to Dave Feldmann and Mike Andrews), along with our usual nonsense. Next Episode: Platoon (1986) Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! Our website: www.dangerclosepod.com Join our Facebook group at: Danger Close - Podcast Discussion Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1442264899493646/) If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! If you would like to support the show and get extra episodes where we discuss sci-fi, fantasy, and comedy war movies, join our Patreon for only $4 a month at: www.dangerclosepod.com/support warmovies #warfilms #war #film #films #movies #history #cinema #animated #disney

    1h 44m
  6. BONUS INTERVIEW - Pulled the Handle! Just Not Very Hard. Part 2 of 2

    07/13/2024

    BONUS INTERVIEW - Pulled the Handle! Just Not Very Hard. Part 2 of 2

    Here’s part two of Dan’s interview with Fig and RePete from the podcast So There I Was! This half we talk movies a little, with some cool details about the harrier jets in True Lies, and get some personal “oh shit!”flying stories from the guys. If you want to hear more from Fig and RePete, here is their True Lies ep, where they interview their squadron mates who actually flew in the film, and links to the rest of their show. Enjoy! https://sothereiwas.us/episode/16/ Website (with lots of great photos): https://sothereiwas.us Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-there-i-was/id1628848482 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZKdN0mQWINqZsbkCrSpDC Having recorded this right before Memorial Day, we do talk about Veteran issues a bit. If you are a Veteran who is struggling or know one, there is help! Dial 988, then press 1.

    1h 23m
  7. BONUS INTERVIEW - We're Not Ready, You Idiot! Part 1 of 2

    06/25/2024

    BONUS INTERVIEW - We're Not Ready, You Idiot! Part 1 of 2

    This week on Danger Close, a Veteran interview with yours truly, Dan! I sat down with two former Marine aviators and we talked about our experiences in the Corps, traded aviation stories, and I even played them a special recording that has not gone public until now! This is part One where Dan mostly talks about his career in the Marines and in aviation, in part Two we will get Fig and RePete’s stories from flying harriers and talk movies a bit. Check out their awesome aviation show So There I Was (links below) for epic interviews with military pilots from World War II to the most recent wars. We will release part Two shortly, and return to regular DC/DCE content after that. Thank you all for being very patient during our break! Website (with lots of great photos): https://sothereiwas.us Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-there-i-was/id1628848482 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZKdN0mQWINqZsbkCrSpDC

    1h 54m
  8. FRIGHT PUB / DANGER CLOSE CROSSOVER: Overlord (2018)

    06/04/2024

    FRIGHT PUB / DANGER CLOSE CROSSOVER: Overlord (2018)

    For the first time ever, the Fright Pub crew and the Danger Close team get together in person to record a podcast. In Pittsburgh!! If this film is where the Venn diagram of horror films and war films meet, then I guess Liam is where the Venn diagram of our two shows come together! He's...the glue? The central spoke in the wheel? I don't know, this analogy is not working. Anyway, we all had a blast having plenty of drinks in the Fright Pub and seeing what kind of rules we could break in each other's shows. And did we mention Zombies? And Nazis? And Nazi-Zombies! It's gonna be a good time. Welcome to Danger...Club? Fright Close? Man, none of this is working. But we did have a lot of fun. Enjoy!

    2h 12m
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About

Join a Marine Veteran, a film critic, and a theater director as they laugh, argue, and explore the history of humanity's triumphs and tragedies through war films old and new. War is Hell. People make films about it. And we love to talk about them.

Information

  • Creator
    A War Film Podcast
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Daniele Ferlito
  • Show Website
    Danger Close