History In Film

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 .

We deviate from our usual routine to nerd out about dragons! The post House Targaryen appeared first on .

While it has nothing to do with the actual Northwest Passage, this film does introduce the real-life figure of Robert Rogers. The post A004: Northwest Passage (1940) appeared first on .

This German production of James Fenimore Cooper’s The Deerslayer isn’t great, but does serve as a prequel to The Last of the Mohicans. The post A003b: Chingachgook: The Great Snake (1967) appeared first on .

The Crucible was a poignant allegory for McCarthyism when first released as a play. The film adaptation may ham it up a bit with the performances, but still highlights an [ … ] The post A003: The Crucible (1996) appeared first on .

Obviously a fictional story, but we discuss this time period in New England and the history of witchcraft. The post A002b: The Witch (2015) appeared first on .

A group religious outcasts hires a ship to take them to the New World. We talk about what this film starring Anthony Hopkins got right and wrong. The post A002: Mayflower: The Pilgrims’ Adventure (1979) appeared first on .

We discuss both of these films as we explore the full stories of John Smith and Pocahontas. The post A001: Pocahontas (1995) & The New World (2005) appeared first on .