Join historians Roger Luckhurst, a 19th-century culture expert, and Alex Von Tunzelmann, a screenwriter and author, as they dive into the fascinating world of historical cinema. They debate what makes a great historical film and discuss the cultural significance of nominees from a poll on the greatest historical movies. Expect surprising insights, like why 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure' qualifies as historical, and a deep dive into classics like 'Schindler's List' and 'Saving Private Ryan.' Explore how films shape our understanding of history and even spark interest in real events!
40:15
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Defining Historical Films
Defining "historical film" is surprisingly difficult.
Instinctive reactions reveal personal biases about history's representation.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Bill and Ted's Historical Value
Alex von Tunzelmann nominated "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure."
She argues the film reflects how modern audiences perceive and utilize history.
insights INSIGHT
Top 10 Reflections
Roger Luckhurst questions "Gladiator's" historical depth.
He finds Schindler's List's top ranking acceptable but suggests pairing it with other Holocaust films.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
The Remains of the Day is a novel told through the first-person narration of Stevens, a long-serving butler at Darlington Hall. In the summer of 1956, Stevens embarks on a six-day motoring trip through the West Country, which becomes a journey into his past. The novel explores Stevens' memories of his service during and after World War II, his relationship with the former housekeeper Miss Kenton, and the decline of the English aristocracy. It delves into themes of regret, repression, and the consequences of dedicating one's life to professional duty at the expense of personal happiness. The story is a poignant reflection on the passage of time, the reliability of memory, and the human cost of maintaining a rigid professional persona[1][3][5].
The Ghost Map
The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic – and How it Changed Science, Cities and the Modern World
Steven Johnson
The book chronicles the devastating cholera outbreak in London's Soho district in 1854. It centers around Dr. John Snow, who created a map to trace the outbreak back to its source—a contaminated water pump—and Reverend Henry Whitehead, whose local knowledge was crucial in determining the cause. The narrative explores the historical context, the scientific and cultural roots of the miasma theory, and the impact of this event on modern urban planning, public health, and scientific inquiry. The book also reflects on broader themes such as urbanization, environmental crises, and the role of cities in solving the problems they create[2][3][4].
What makes a great historical movie? An accurate portrayal of a period, a nostalgic look back at the past, or simply a ripping yarn? Well, on our website HistoryExtra.com, we've been running a poll to crown the greatest historical movies of all time – nominated by historians and then voted for by you. The results are in, and in this episode, Kev Lochun speaks to historians and cinephiles Roger Luckhurst and Alex Von Tunzelmann to get their take on it all – from why Bill & Ted is a historical movie but Sense & Sensibility isn't, to whether the winning movie deserves the top spot.
The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.