

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

Mar 9, 2018 • 52min
Fires on the Plain
Fires on the Plain: Does this WWII story reflect a harsh and honest end to a losing battle or is this a film about confidently facing infinite obstacles? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John taste the monkey meat of brutal filmmaking while accepting that no matter how sad, some stories must be told.This film is available on:Amazon, Kanopy, and FilmStruckClick here to support our show!The next film, Fury, is available on:Amazon, iTunes, Roku, YouTube, PantaFlix, Google Play, FandangoNOW, Vudu, and your local library

Mar 2, 2018 • 49min
Zulu
Zulu: Is this an underdog film that shows the futility of colonialism or does this biopic reflect the progressive movements of the 1960s? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John volley-fire through the many facets of the Red Coats and the Zulu army without getting all sixes and sevens!This film is available on:iTunesClick here to support our show!The next film, Fires on the Plain, is available on:Amazon, Kanopy, FilmStruck, and your local library

Feb 23, 2018 • 60min
Braveheart
Braveheart: Does this film tell the tale of a freedom-fighting warrior or is this a story about William Wallace’s revenge-fueled descent into madness? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John rewind all four VHS cassette tapes while discussing the highs and lows of the historical motion picture. This film is available via: Amazon, iTunes, Roku, YouTube, Google Play, and VuduClick here to support our show!The next film, Zulu, is available on:iTunes and your local library

Feb 16, 2018 • 51min
Stalag 17
Stalag 17: Is this P.O.W. dramedy a prison break film or is it a movie about coming together during times of distress? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John crawl through the mud of World War 2 humor and discover that no matter what the outcome, first you’ve got to find the rat.This film is available via: Amazon, iTunes, Kanopy, FilmStruck, FandangoNOW, YouTube, Google Play, VuduClick here to support our show!The next film, Braveheart, is available on:Amazon, iTunes, Roku, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, and your local library

Feb 9, 2018 • 49min
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Master and Commander the Far Side of the World: Is this a nautical tale of patriotism or does it show that teamwork conquers all? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John face a squall of talking points in this 2003 seafaring drama; and learn that no matter land or sea—sharp’s the word and bold’s the action!This film is available via: Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, VuduClick here to support our show!The next film, Stalag 17, is available on:Amazon, iTunes, Kanopy, FilmStruck, FandangoNOW, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu

Feb 2, 2018 • 43min
First Blood
First Blood: is it about the challenges of small-town law enforcement, or is the tale of John Rambo an allegory for the war in Vietnam? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John explore the abandoned mine that is this 1982 thriller, and learn that maybe after a war, nobody truly goes home.This film is available via: Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, and VuduClick here to support our show!The next film, Master and Commander, is available on:Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, and your local library

Jan 26, 2018 • 44min
Flying Leathernecks
Flying Leathernecks, is it a film about whipping your soldiers into shape or does it merely swap subs for jets? On today’s episode our three Wildcats—Adam, Ben, and John—compile their stock footage and sheet cake knowledge to discuss this 1951 fighter pilot drama, and learn that even the most relaxed of pilots can become a battle-ready warrior!This film is available on: Amazon, iTunes, FilmStruck, Youtube, Google Play, and VuduClick here to support our show!The next film, First Blood, is available on:Amazon, iTunes, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, and your local library

Jan 19, 2018 • 46min
Run Silent, Run Deep
Run Silent, Run Deep: is it a submarine revenge flick or a tale of cohabitation and companionship? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John travel to new depths in discussing this classic WW2 film, and learn that of the many necessities to a life lived under the sea, perhaps the most important is trust in your commanding officer. (As an added bonus John recorded this episode inside a real 1940’s American Submarine!)This film is available via: Amazon, YouTube, and VuduClick here to support our show!The next film, Flying Leathernecks, is available on:Amazon, iTunes, FilmStruck, Youtube, Google Play, Vudu, and your local library

Jan 12, 2018 • 46min
Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan, was it an honest portrayal of World War 2 or did Spielberg mesmerize the United States into feeling emotion? In today’s thrilling episode Adam, Ben, and John take on the difficult task of reviewing this 1998 epic war drama set during the Invasion of Normandy. You’ll find out when it’s ok to take the socks off a dead body, how to *hope* to do more good than bad, and why ‘hall-passes’ can really affect the way we view characters in a film.This film is available via:Amazon Video, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, and VuduThe next film, Run Silent Run Deep, is available on:Amazon, YouTube, Vudu, and your local library

Dec 20, 2017 • 20min
Friendly Fire
War movies: one of the core genres of the cinema. From the earliest days of the form, filmmakers have been trying to capture and comment on war. Do these films accurately represent the battles depict? And are they more useful as depictions of history, or as artifacts from the eras in which they were made? Do enough of them have Brian Dennehy? Join Adam Pranica, Benjamin Harrison, and John Roderick for Friendly Fire the war movie podcast that answers all these questions and more. In this special preview episode, they review their own podcast in anticipation of its release!


