

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

Apr 3, 2020 • 57min
The Adventures of Gerard (1970)
Can a movie successfully tell a farce about the Napoleonic wars based on a series by Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle, or should we just throw our hands up and munch on popcorn? On today's episode Adam, Ben, and John are in a pickle, they have brought their doggies—while they review this 1970 comedy.Available on: Amazon, and your local librarySupport our showNext Film: The Guns of Navarone (1961)Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local library

Mar 27, 2020 • 1h 40min
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Is this a film about one man’s journey during The Great War, or does this film show the ripple effect any individual has the potential of creating? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John answer without saying anything—while they watch this epic adventure!Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local librarySupport our showNext Film: The Adventures of Gerard (1970)Available on: Amazon, and your local library

Mar 20, 2020 • 1h 24min
Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
Is this a film about the Spanish Civil War, or is this a movie about escaping abuse and finding a better life? On today's episode Adam, Ben, and John are the mountain, the forest and the earth—while they review this 2006 fantasy.Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local librarySupport our showNext Film: Lawrence of Arabia (1962)Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local library

Mar 13, 2020 • 1h 5min
War Witch (2012)
Does the brutality of war heighten or lessen when mysticism is introduced? Can the fictions a group creates help a victim escape? On today's episode Adam, Ben, and John show their courage—while reviewing this 2012 drama.Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local librarySupport our showNext Film: Pan's Labyrinth (2006)Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local library

Mar 6, 2020 • 1h 20min
Action in the North Atlantic (1943)
Can the Merchant Marines inspire a nation of teens to join the military? On today's episode Adam, Ben, and John train themselves to have an iron nerve—while they review this 1943 propaganda picture!Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local librarySupport our show.Next Film: War Witch (2012)Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local library

Feb 28, 2020 • 1h 26min
Gallipoli (1981)
Can a war film that shows very little war, replace the struggle of battle with the rapport of speedy best friends? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John got mates who'd be lucky to do the hundred in twelve—while they review this 1981 drama. Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local librarySupport our show.Next Film: Action in the North Atlantic (1943)Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local library

Feb 21, 2020 • 1h 36min
The English Patient (1996)
Does a historical romance flick tighten or loosen the tension of a war? Maybe it rips the tension right off? On today's episode Adam, Ben, and John point at the horizon and said, "Faya!" while they review this 1996 passion-piece.Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local librarySupport our show.Next Film: Gallipoli (1981)Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local library

Feb 14, 2020 • 1h 16min
Air Force (1943)
Can one film show the birth of a wing of the US Military while at the same time functioning as a propaganda-picture? Find out, when on today's episode when Adam, Ben, and John—get tuned in, and review this 1943 action film.Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local librarySupport our show.Next Film: The English PatientAvailable on: Amazon, Apple, and your local library

Feb 7, 2020 • 1h 20min
1917 (2019)
Is this a film that simply stitches together stories from an elder, or is it a one-shot epic that uses oral tradition to encapsulate all of The Great War? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John travel the fastest when they travel alone—When they review this 2019 drama.Available: In theaters now!Support our show.Next Film: Air Force (1943)Available on: Amazon, Apple, and your local library

Jan 31, 2020 • 1h 16min
K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)
Does this movie show the versatility of sub-films or is it just the "Red Son" of Jack Ryan stories? On today’s episode Adam, Ben, and John might as well wear raincoats while they review this 2002 thriller!Available on: Amazon, DVD, and your local librarySupport our show.Next Film: 1917 (2019)Available: In theaters now!


