91 episodes

On World War II Movie Night, host J. Byron delves into the countless movies made about the greatest conflict in human history. How much can we learn about World War II from how it's portrayed in film? Can movies render this infinite subject more manageable? Fun and stimulation mix in this engaging, thought-provoking podcast.

World War II Movie Night World War II Movie Night

    • TV & Film
    • 4.2 • 40 Ratings

On World War II Movie Night, host J. Byron delves into the countless movies made about the greatest conflict in human history. How much can we learn about World War II from how it's portrayed in film? Can movies render this infinite subject more manageable? Fun and stimulation mix in this engaging, thought-provoking podcast.

    89. "Operation Finale" (2018)

    89. "Operation Finale" (2018)

    World War II Movie Night covers one of the more compelling post-war events with 2018's "Operation Finale," which portrays the secret Mossad mission to kidnap Adolf Eichmann from Argentina and bring him back to Israel. Along the way we address just how and why Argentina became a haven for Nazis after the war. Oh, and did we mention Ben Kingsley plays Eichmann!?... Asides include the Onion, Bernie Sanders, why comedy isn't funny anymore, "American Pie," and D.B. Cooper. 
    Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com
    Check out our X at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight 

    • 51 min
    88. "Hell in the Pacific" (1968)

    88. "Hell in the Pacific" (1968)

    World War II Movie Night does a listener request with the 1968 American movie, "Hell in the Pacific," about two men trapped on an island together, and one of them we never even hear what he's saying! Despite this sparse premise, director John Boorman turns in a surprisingly eventful character study... asides include a time I could've scored some WWII LIFE magazines, at least two times this premise has been done before and after, an acclaimed filmmaker who helmed a movie so bad it made people physically agressive, and the elephant in the room: my misadventures in pronunciation. 
    Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com
    Check out our X/Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight 

    • 38 min
    87. "The Way Back" (2010)

    87. "The Way Back" (2010)

    Tonight we're having a communist party (!) as we look at a part of the War not often explored, the Russian camps. Storied director Peter Weir ("Gallipoli") brought this true (?) story to the screen in 2010, starring Ed Harris and Colin Farrell. The result? An overlooked gem and a muscular statement against Stalinism... Asides include, there are too many movies, Boris Yeltsin's lost in the supermarket, Bill Cosby endorsed an '80s dessert item to great effect, and why was Ed Harris so pissed at the '99 Oscars? 
    Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com
    Check out our X/Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight 
     

    • 51 min
    86. "Bataan" (1943)

    86. "Bataan" (1943)

    At first blush, 1943's "Bataan" might seem like a run-of-the-mill, black-and-white, ensemble-cast World War II movie: easily absorbed and easily dismissed. Upon closer inspection, though, it reveals itself as a fascinating bit of mid-war propoganda, i.e., a passion play and literal call-to-arms. We'll also examine its surprising horror elements, as the faceless Japanese pick off our men in a near slasher-scenario... asides include some thoughts on the racial tolerance (or lack thereof) of decades past, and a deep dive on a Cheap Trick song. 
    Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com
    Check out our X/Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight 
     
     

    • 42 min
    85. "Son of Saul" (2015)

    85. "Son of Saul" (2015)

    World War II Movie Night keeps the faith (and the format) as we delve into the 2015 Hungarian movie "Son of Saul," which many believe gives the truest representation of life in Auschwitz outside an actual documentary. Saul is a "Sonderkommando," prisoners given unpleasant duties in the camp in exchange for a slightly better status - until they're no longer useful, that is... Asides include a certain TV show, and the unexpected WWII-related thing Donald Trump, Justin Bieber, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have in common. 
    Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com
    Check out our X/Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight 

    • 35 min
    84. "Valkyrie" (2008)

    84. "Valkyrie" (2008)

    Join World War II Movie Night as we reassess the oft-maligned "Valkyrie," from 2008. No casting in one of our movies was as criticized from jump as Tom Cruise playing Claus von Stauffenberg, the German colonel who made the most famous attempt on Hitler's life. "Valkyrie" had almost everything going for it: acting, writing, directing, and a bigger budget than the filmmakers even asked for - so why was it deemed mediocre, and was that unfair?... asides include Scientology, German guilt, the inherent creepiness of Goebbels, and How High was Hitler? 
    Drop us a line at worldwartwomovienight@gmail.com
    Check out our X/Twitter at http://twitter.com/WWIIMovieNight 

    • 50 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
40 Ratings

40 Ratings

Catlord 6 ,

Very interesting podcast discussing WWII movies among others conflicts.

I’d just listened to The Keep and already listening to Letters from Iwo Jima after Flags of Our Fathers. This is sort of unique since their only 45 minutes long. Hoping for a review of Terrence Mallick’s 1998 film The Thin Red Line.

DJ Oldboy ,

Short on extra info

Kind of disappointing. was hoping for a show like Simmons Rewatchables,which is the benchmark for this type of podcast. This is mostly a rote reading summary of each movies plot. Would like to hear more info regarding production,casting,location stories etc.

OG BeerBoy ,

Saw flags of our fathers. Last night.

Found this podcast today. I love it. Great work 💯

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