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 5, 2019 • 1h 6min
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Can one man's love of history defeat an army? What if that one man also had a weapon powered by God? On today's episode Adam, Ben, and John, become a permanent addition to this archaeological find—while reviewing this classic adventure.This film is available on:Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Youtube, and your local librarySupport our show! Next Film: The Great Escape (1963)Available on: Amazon, Apple, Youtube, Roku, and your local library
Jun 28, 2019 • 1h 10min
The Night of the Shooting Stars (1982)
The lines of memory and history can be blurred when retelling stories of one's youth, but the emotions associated with situations will always point to truth. On today's episode Adam, John, and Ben eat eggs until the recording is over—while reviewing this 1982 Italian drama!This film is available on:Amazon, Youtube and your local librarySupport our show! Next Film: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)Available on: Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Youtube, and your local library
Jun 21, 2019 • 1h 12min
Red Cliff (2008)
Is ancient history written by the winners, or is it stitched together from folklore and current national narrative? On today's episode Adam, Ben, and John never guessed they'd lose to a gust of wind! While reviewing this 2008 historical drama!This film is available on:Amazon, Apple, Youtube, Hoopla, Tubi, and your local librarySupport our show! Next Film: The Night of the Shooting Stars (1982)Available on:Amazon, Youtube and your local library
Jun 14, 2019 • 1h 20min
The Sum of All Fears (2002)
In the Tom Clancy Universe equations are as useful as a lost bomb. So when a shadowy organization pulls the strings in an attempt to start WWIII, it's not long before Jack Ryan does the math. On today's episode Adam, Ben, and John order the planes to stand down, while reviewing this 2002 calculation!This film is available on:Amazon, Apple, Youtube, and your local librarySupport our show! Next Film: Red CliffAvailable on:Amazon, Apple, Youtube, Hoopla, Tubi, and your local library
Jun 7, 2019 • 1h 31min
The Hurt Locker (2008)
Does a film need to accurately portray a specific military job in order to tell a compelling story, or do the ends justify the means? On today’s episode Adam, John, and Ben recognize that going to war is a once-in-a-lifetime experience while they review this 2008 thriller.This film is available on:Amazon,Apple, Netflix, and your local librarySupport our show! Next Film: The Sum of All FearsAvailable on:Amazon, Apple, Youtube, and your local library
May 31, 2019 • 1h 30min
The Promise (2016)
Love stories are eternal, whether they be person to person, families, or communities. And when evidence of cultural erasure is presented, sometimes the best way to share factual knowledge, is with a love story. On today's episode Adam, Ben, and John are the local apothecaries while they watch this 2016 drama. This film is available on:Apple, Amazon, Google Play, Youtube, and your local LibraryCome see Friendly Fire LIVE!Support our show! Next Film: The Hurt Locker (2008)Available on: Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and your local library
May 24, 2019 • 1h 19min
Come and See (1985)
The furies of war force you to trudge along in order to survive, and watching this film evokes a similar sense of dread. Today, Adam, Ben, and John never say whatever happens must happen, while they watch this 1985 drama.This film is available on:Youtube, and The Criterion ChannelCome see Friendly Fire LIVE!Support our show! Next Film: The Promise (2016)Available on: Apple, Amazon, Google Play, Youtube, and your local Library
May 17, 2019 • 1h 20min
Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944)
How does one sell a war picture during said war? Some say you throw in a love story on top of one of the most important missions to have happened thus far. On today's episode Ben, Adam, and John do not have the medicine to ease the pain, as they review this 1944 drama!This film is available on:Apple, Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Fandango Now, VuduCome see Friendly Fire LIVE!Support our show! Next Film: Come and See (1985)Available on:Youtube, and The Criterion Channel
May 10, 2019 • 1h 27min
Crash Dive (1943)
Love triangles can feel like a sinking sub—especially when looking back through the lens of our current time. And on today's episode, Ben, John, and Adam are the only born commandos reviewing this 1943 drama!This film is available on:Apple, Amazon, Google Play, Youtube, Vudu, and your local libraryCome see Friendly Fire LIVE!Support our show! Next Film: Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944)Available on:Apple, Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Fandango Now, Vudu
May 3, 2019 • 1h 37min
REDBAD (2018)
When telling an origin story, it's best to bring all the swords and an incredibly powerful Mac Mini. On today's episode Ben, John, and Adam want to start a war with the most powerful army in the world, while they watch this 2018 epic!This film is available on:Apple, Amazon, Google Play, Youtube, Vudu, and your local libraryCome see Friendly Fire LIVE!Support our show! Next Film: Crash Dive (1943)Available on:Apple, Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, Fandango Now, Vudu
