History In Film

A fictionalized family drama about the O’Leary family whose cow is credited with starting the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The post A020: In Old Chicago (1938) appeared first on .

Dustin Hoffman stars as Jack Crab, a man claiming to be the lone white survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. His life story runs him through the gamut [ … ] The post A019: Little Big Man (1970) appeared first on .

Set in Texas from ~1868-1873, The Searchers follows two men on a quest to rescue a little girl from the Comanches who kidnapped her. The post A018b: The Searchers (1956) appeared first on .

Another stellar performance by Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln in this film about the President’s quest to pass the 13th Amendment. The post A018: Lincoln (2012) appeared first on .

This is a fictional story, but still gives us an opportunity to discuss Native Americans during the Civil War. We also wrap up the fighting of the Civil War itself [ … ] The post A017: Dances with Wolves (1990) appeared first on .

A solid movie and a fairly accurate look at the 54th Massachusetts regiment of African-American soldiers during the Civil War. The post A016: Glory (1989) appeared first on .

Fake beards and lack of blood aside, this may be the most accurate film we’ve ever discussed on the podcast. The post A015: Gettysburg (1993) appeared first on .

Buster Keaton’s silent classic is based an actual event called the Great Locomotive Chase from April 12, 1862. While it starts out fairly accurate, it soon goes… off the rails, [ … ] The post A014: The General (1926) appeared first on .

A fictionalized story, but set in the very real world of the Five Points slum of New York City. Some real-life figures also play important roles. The post A013: The Gangs of New York (2002) appeared first on .

Bleeding Kansas and the radical abolitionist John Brown seen through the eyes of J.E.B. Stuart and pals. The post A012: Santa Fe Trail (1940) appeared first on .

The harrowing true story of Solomon Northup, a free man who was captured in 1841 and sold into slavery. The post A011: 12 Years a Slave (2013) appeared first on .

Despite the absolute craziness that is RRR, two very real men were the inspiration for it. The post W059b: RRR (2022) appeared first on .

The harrowing story of Hugh Glass as told by Oscar-winning director Alejandro Iñárritu. Many details in the film are invented, but Glass did indeed survive a bear attack much to [ … ] The post A010: The Revenant (2015) appeared first on .

Zorro is fictional, but there’s plenty to talk about in the true story of California in the early 1800s. The post A009: The Mark of Zorro (1940) & The Mask of Zorro (1998) appeared first on .

A surprisingly thorough look at the life of Davy Crockett told in three vignettes. The post A008: Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (1955) appeared first on .

Set in the early days of European settlement in the Oregon territory, First Cow offers an interesting perspective on the basics we take for granted. The post A007b: First Cow (2020) appeared first on .

The crazy story of Jean Lafitte, the pirate who helped the United States win the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. The post A007: The Buccaneer (1958) appeared first on .

The hit musical offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the Founding Fathers. The post A006: Hamilton (2020) appeared first on .

We depart from the politics of the situation and look at the fighting of the Revolutionary War itself. The post A005b: The Patriot (2000) & Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) appeared first on .

Happy New Year! This week we’re looking at the Second Continental Congress and the debate over the Declaration of Independence. The post A005: 1776 (1972) appeared first on .