Friendly Fire
John Roderick, Adam Pranica and Benjamin Ahr Harrison
A history podcast with a twist: Friendly Fire uses war movies as a point of entry on not only the history of war, but the history of how societies think about war. John Roderick, Adam Pranica and Benjamin Ahr Harrison dissect movies from throughout the history of cinema, talk about film production, pedantic quibbles with costumes and airplanes, and keep you laughing the entire time.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 20, 2018 • 1h 15min
Operation Dumbo Drop
Operation Dumbo Drop: Is this fun time adventure romp based off a true story, or is Disney trying to spin the war in Vietnam for children? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John parachute into Walt’s world while reviewing this family friendly story.This film is available onYouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and HBOThe next film, The Siege, is available onAmazon, YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and your local library.
Jul 13, 2018 • 1h 15min
Mongol
Mongol: Does this film accurately tell the tale of Temudgin —Future Khan of all Mongols— or is the story tainted by those who wrote the history books? On today's episode Adam, Ben, and John betray one another while absorbing the filmmaking practices of Russia, Germany, and Kazakhstan!This film is available via:YouTube, Vudu, Google Play, and iTunes.The next film, Operation Dumbo Drop, is available via:YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, HBO, and your local library.
Jul 6, 2018 • 1h 15min
Paradise Now
Paradise Now: Can this film bridge the gap of understanding between cultures, or will some folks only consider it negative propaganda? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John take on this movie’s tough subject matter, while making sure everyone gets a piece of bread.This film is available via: YouTube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, and iTunes.The next film, Mongol, is available via:YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and your local library.
Jun 29, 2018 • 1h 12min
The Last Of The Mohicans
The Last Of The Mohicans: Does this love story help an audience understand the French and Indian war, or does the film just reenforce noble savage stereotypes? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John use every part of the Buffalo to review this 1992 drama.This film is available via:YouTube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, and iTunes.The next film, Paradise Now, is available via:YouTube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, iTunes, and your local library.
Jun 22, 2018 • 1h 13min
Apocalypse Now
Apocalypse Now: is this a fictional journey based on Veterans’ urban legends, or does this film just encapsulate the horrors of the Vietnam war? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John take LSD placebos while reviewing this 1979 drama.This film is available via:YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, and iTunesThe next film, The Last Of The Mohicans, is available via:YouTube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, iTunes, and your local library.
Jun 15, 2018 • 1h 15min
The Dirty Dozen
The Dirty Dozen: It’s 1967 and Nunnally Johnson and Lukas Heller have decided to take on a fictional prequel of D-Day. But does this film accurately represent the time before the Normandy invasion, or are the filmmakers trying to tell us that anyone can have a second chance if they are willing to die? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John rhyme their way through boot camp while reviewing this Action-Thriller!This film is available via:YouTube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, and iTunes.The next film, Apocalypse Now, is available via: YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, iTunes, and your local library.
Jun 8, 2018 • 1h 15min
Clear and Present Danger
Clear and Present Danger: Does this film depict the “war on drugs” as realistic? Or does the movie set out to sensationalize the three branches of the American Government? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John make sure that the machine is off, the printers are stocked, and the safes are locked... while reviewing this 1994 political thriller.This film is available on:Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes, Netflix, Vudu, and YouTube.The next film, The Dirty Dozen, is available on:YouTube, Amazon Video, Vudu, Google Play, iTunes, and your local library.
Jun 1, 2018 • 54min
The African Queen
The African Queen: Does this film correctly portray colonial life in Africa during World War I, or are the pipes and rapids too distracting? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John bust their boilers, while navigating this 1951 Technicolor classic.This film is available on: Amazon Video, Google Play, Netflix, Vudu, and YouTube.You can find the next film, Clear and Present Danger on: Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes, Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, and your local library.
May 25, 2018 • 1h 13min
From Here to Eternity
From Here to Eternity: Is this a tale that puts pre-war emotions in perspective? Or is it a study of the evolution of equality and acceptance? On today's episode, Adam, Ben, and John get in the ring and play dueling-bugles while coming to terms with this 1953 romance. This film is available on:Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes, YouTube, and VuduThe next film, The African Queen, is available on:Amazon Video, Google Play, Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, and your local library
May 18, 2018 • 1h 7min
Rescue Dawn
Rescue Dawn: Is this an accurate depiction of Dieter Dengler’s time in Laos or are the tentpoles of his experience used to manufacture a Hollywood prison-break story? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John get lost in a Herzog fueled jungle while debating whether anyone should watch this 2006 tape. This film is available on:Amazon Video and iTunesThe next film, From Here to Eternity, is available on:Amazon Video, Google Play, iTunes, YouTube, and Vudu
