Reel History UK

Recorded during UK Black History Month 2020 but now released in US Black History Month 2021, Hugh and Jenna look at a film that could have been a disastrously unfunny look at real-life events, but instead has become a modern comedy classic as well as a point of pride and inspiration in Jamaica itself.

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Recorded during UK Black History Month 2020 but now released in US Black History Month 2021.

In a film full of the flavour of New Orleans Disney Animation returned to 2D animation with Princess and the Frog. However, the era that the film is set in is a troubled one for people of colour in America. Hugh and Jenna discuss the difficulties of depicting this era for a "family friendly" audience.

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In the week of Holocaust Memorial Day, we look at the 2016 drama DENIAL, and its version of the court case brought against historian Professor Deborah Lipstadt by odious Holocaust denier David Irving. Joining us is guest Dr. Waitman Wade Beorn, himself an expert in the field of Holocaust Studies as well as Digital Academic Studies, to discuss the facts behind the fiction and the fiction behind the 'facts'.

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Recorded during the 2020 Christmas Period, Hugh and Jenna are joined by Dr David Howell of the University of Gloucestershire to discuss the traditions of Christmas. Expect some musslings on the origin of the tradition of celebrating during the midwinter, Santa Claus, and his helper Zwarte Peit, small magical creatures, gift giving, Coal, Trees, Krampus, and singing Welsh Horse Skulls.

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In this season finale, Jenna convinces Hugh to go back to a classic episode of the Simpsons, based around an actual 90s event involving an academic historian researching a biography around a lesser-known US president, and what transpired when she thought she had found possible foul play around his death. Given that the episode centres around the Founding Father of Springfield and his statue, this turns out be a timely selection for the podcast.

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Hugh discovers a new addition to his favourite rom-com list, but Jenna questions whether as a counter-factual this film really holds up.

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In this Episode, Jenna and Hugh look at 1998’s Hollywood adaptation THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK, which gives Jenna a chance to try out her French and Hugh a reason to out himself as a lifelong Alexandre Dumas (Pere) fanboy. Writer/director Randall “BRAVEHEART” Wallace, actor Gabriel “supercool” Byrne, how Jenna knows more Dumas than she realises and Hugh’s favourite quote from the film are all points along the way as they decide how well the film portrays 17th century France.

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Recorded for the 65th anniversary of the original Disneyland’s opening, in this special length episode, Hugh and Jenna chat to their special guest Dr Sabrina Mittermeier, author of the upcoming book “A Cultural History of the Disneyland Theme Parks: Middle Class Kingdoms.”

Along with Sabrina, Hugh and Jenna discuss the Disney parks in terms of their history, how they represent history, as well as issues such as class and Americanisation within the parks.

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In this Episode, Hugh speaks for far too long, as he tries to get inside the reactions of the local cinema audience when he first saw the film. Jenna provides a lot more laughs when he gets too serious, but also drags him back on track and corrects his mistakes. Nationalism, national identity, royalty, scandal, appearances and “the war” all get an airing in this look at the stellar cast and story in the awards-winner from the director of CATS….

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In this episode Hugh and Jenna discuss the 1999 miniseries Joan of Arc directed by Christian Duguay, written by Michael Alexander Miller and Ronald Parker and staring Leelee Sobieski, Jacqueline Bisset, Powers Boothe, Neil Patrick Harris and Peter O'Toole

Hugh and Jenna explore the story of Joan of Arc, and the primary sources that help us know about this young girl’s life, and her role in propaganda and nationalism, while Hugh gushes about many of the legendary actors while chatting about changes that happened to television as it moved into the 2000’s, historian specialisation and historical accuracy when it comes to locations.

Please note, this episode contains a light discussion on the subject of rape.

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In this episode, Jenna and Hugh each look at two very different examples of the Western genre today in an episode that ended up packed with laughs.

As always, SPOILERS lie ahead.

First up, Jenna takes us deep into Rockstar Games' Western game universe RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2, and gets to enthuse as a gamer as well as a historian. Then Hugh tries and fails to control his laughter at the remembered jokes in reviewing Seth McFarlane's A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST, also starring Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Neil Patrick Harris, Giovanni Ribisi and Sarah Silverman. He does nearly choke to death, but narrowly avoids it.

The pair discuss the roots of the genre, its evolution and how modern, younger audiences may or may not perceive the genre. In particular, how moving into modern comedy and open-world videogames affects the genre as well as people's perception of it.

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In this episode Hugh and Jenna discuss the film based on the long running game franchise Assassin’s Creed.

Directed by Justin Kurzel, written by Michael Lesslie, Adam Cooper and Bill Collage, and starring Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson, Charlotte Rampling and Michael K. Williams.

In this episode Hugh and Jenna take a break from of late nineteenth century, early twentieth century and decided to take STAB out of history, with Assassin’s Creed.

They discuss the idea of canon and lore of franchises and history, as well as fanfiction and its grey area, Video Game Movies in general, and it’s problems and the Assassin’s Creed Modern Day storylines.

Jenna discusses her experiences in Cordoba, Spain and the Reconquista Era of Spanish history, where the Iberian Peninsula was reconquered by Christian leaders from Islamic Leader, a period of history not explored often by English Language media.

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In this episode Hugh and Jenna explore the 2019 Amazon Studios The Aeronauts, directed and written by Tom Harper and co-written Jack Thorne, staring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Himesh Patel and Tom Courtenay.

Hugh and Jenna discuss the semi-biographical film which was inspired by a true event, the world flight altitude record of James Glaisher and Henry Coxwell, although in the film, Coxwell was replaced by a fictional women Amelia Wren.

Like always they discuss the historical issues brought up by a film like this, especially with a whole fictional character and can you still be accurate despite that, and the marketing of accuracy, as well as the smallness of the film, the equality of the two main roles, private and public sphere of Victorian England.

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Recorded in time for Freud’s 164th birthday, Hugh and Jenna explore the 2011 film, A Dangerous Method, directed by David Cronenberg, written by Christopher Hampton, and starring Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, and Michael Fassbender.

Hugh and Jenna discuss the birth and development of psychoanalysis and other psychological methods, though the relationships between the founders, Jung, Freud, and Spielrein.

This brings the questions which language films based in non-English speaking countries should be spoken. And Jenna fangirls a little bit over Freud’s couch

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Recorded during Women’s History Month 2020, in this episode Hugh and Jenna explore the 2015 film, Suffragette, directed by Sarah Gavron and written by Abi Morgan. The film stars Carey Mulligan, Helena Bonham Carter, Brendan Gleeson, Anne-Marie Duff, Ben Whishaw and Meryl Streep.

Hugh and Jenna discuss the suffragette movement of the early twentieth century, as well as the general suffrage movement in the United Kingdom up to that point, look at the importance of class within the movement, why some stories from history deserve a bit more time then a movie is able to give it, and why the film feels a lot like the suffragette’s ‘greatest hits.’ Plus the hosts get to have some fun insulting the Daily Mail

Warning: some technical issues lead to Jenna sounding very quiet when compared to her co-host. Please accept our apologies for this.

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For Reel History’s Easter Special, Hugh and Jenna explore the Monty Python’s classic and controversial film, the Life of Brian which starred and written by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin

Hugh and Jenna discuss the film is both the issues of the biblical period that film is set in as well as the time the film came was release, talking about what life was like for the people living during Jesus’s supposed lifetime, and that there was a hunt for a messiah, as well as how the Python’s used the setting to reflect what was happening in British Leftist Politics at the time.

They also chat a bit about the controversial nature of the film, the reaction from the Anglican Church, and why it is always a good idea to look on the bright side of life.

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Recorded during British LBGTQ+ History month, in this episode Hugh and Jenna explore the life of Alan Turing though the film The Imitation Game directed by Morten Tyldum, written by Graham Moore and staring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Charles Dance, and Mark Strong.

Hugh and Jenna discuss how The Imitation Game took the story of the amazing teamwork at Bletchley Park, and how a group came together to build a machine that could crack the Nazi’s Enigma code, and changed the narrative to focus on Alan Turing, an incredible individual, but someone who was happy to be part of a team, and what that does to the history.

They also chat a bit about LGBTQ history and issues, as well as Autism.

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In episode Jenna is joined by a special guest, Leah Holmes to explore the Channel 4 Sitcom Derry Girls, created and written by Lisa McGee, and staring Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Louisa Harland, Nicola Coughlan, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell and Dylan Llewellyn.

Jenna and Leah discuss the Irish Troubles, from the point of view of a teenager child growing up during the period. Leah Holmes talks about her experiences as the women compare it to the dark comedy of Derry Girls.

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In this 2019 Christmas Special, Hugh and Jenna explore the Netflix film Knight before Christmas, directed by Monika Mitchell, written by Cara J. Russell and staring Vanessa Hudgens, Josh Whitehouse and Emmanuelle Chriqui.

This time Hugh and Jenna have some festival fun discussing a rather silly film quite seriously, including talking about masculinity, what should be the actual reaction of an fourteenth century knight transported to the twenty-first century, the history of Christmas trees and are pleasantly surprised by how much history conversation they are able to get out of this film.

Please note, this episode was recorded in two parts.

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In this episode Hugh and Jenna explore Dreamwork’s 1998 animated musical Prince of Egypt, directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner & Simon Wells, written Philip LaZebnik, based on the Book of Exodus, and staring Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock & Jeff Goldblum

This time Hugh and Jenna discuss, the animation renaissance of 1990’s and why animation is important as an artform, 1990’s advertising, Bible stories and myths, the history of our understanding of ancient Egyptian period, the more recent version of the story, Exodus directed by Riley Scott, representation in film set in the middle east and Jenna learns she has two twitter feeds.

Some discussion of myths that include sex.

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In the episode Hugh and Jenna explore the Tomb Raider franchise, including the earlier and newer game series, comics, movies and other media all staring the archaeologist Lara Croft.

Hugh and Jenna use the franchise to discuss the depictions of archaeologists in media, including 1920’s pulp and Indiana Jones, the role of archaeology within history, including the problems that artefacts can have with the role of Museums.

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In this episode Hugh and Jenna explore the 2017 BBC miniseries Gunpowder, directed by J Blakeson, written by Ronan Bennett and staring Kit Harington, Peter Mullan, Mark Gatiss and Liv Tyler.

This time, Hugh and Jenna discuss the gunpowder plot, and what lead up to it including the transition from Tudor to Stuart Rule, religion of the period, and what happens when people are given hope, and then it is taken away, plus alcohol.

There is also the question on the effect from Game of Thrones on Historical properties, and the addition of extreme violence and nudity.

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In this episode Hugh and Jenna explore the 2008 film The Other Boleyn Girl, directed by Justin Chadwick, written by Peter Morgan and staring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana, based on the book of the same title by Philippa Gregory.

This time, Hugh and Jenna discuss the Tudor period, including its drama, especially why Henry VIII was so keen on having a male heir, the options of women in the Tudor court, and then what this meant for the future of British politics and religion.

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In the Fourth and final of Reel History’s UK Black History Month 2019 episodes, Hugh and Jenna explore the 2013 Belle directed Amma Asante, written by Misan Sagay and staring Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Tom Wilkinson and Miranda Richardson.

The film that our co-hosts discuss this week is a piece of historical fiction based on the painting 1779 depicting the black Lady Dido Elizabeth Belle and her white cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray and the Zong insurance case, 1783, and helped lay the groundwork towards the British abolition of the Slave Trade. Expect a lot of talk about amazing hats!

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In the third of Reel History’s UK Black History Month episodes, Hugh and Jenna explore the 2005 film Kinky Boots directed by Julian Jarrold, written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth, and staring Joel Edgerton, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sarah-Jane Potts. 

This time Hugh and Jenna look at a very different type of Black History and a different point of view, highlighting the importance of the overlap and the interaction of history including local as well of that of different minorities. Discussing the end of the industrial revolution, and the decline of Britain’s centres of excellence for manufacture. Also, where is the North?

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In the second of Reel History’s UK Black History Month episodes, Hugh and Jenna explore the 2016 film Hidden Figures directed by Theodore Melfi, written by Theodore Melfi and Allison Schroeder and staring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monáe.

This time, Hugh and Jenna are discussing one of Jenna’s favourite films about the African American “badass maths women” and their part in the Space Race, while also dealing with the Civil Right Movement and Jim Crow Laws. A film that counteracts the horrors of 1960’s America with sweetness and bravery. And the hosts still manage to get a marvel reference in. 

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In the first of Reel History’s UK Black History Month episodes, Hugh and Jenna explore the 1989 America Civil War Epic, Glory, directed Edward Zwick, with a screenplay written by Kevin Jarre and starring Matthew Broderick Denzel Washington, Andre Braugher and Morgan Freeman.

While discussing one of Hugh’s favourite films, Hugh and Jenna talk about the history of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment and the importance of the unit, as well British knowledge of the American Civil War, the Lost Cause, does the film have a white saviour narrative, depictions of masculinity and does it matter in a film if a unit attack a fort from the correct side. Oh, and Jenna squeals over Baby Holt!

Recorded September 2019

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In this episode, Hugh and Jenna explore the ITV period drama, Downton Abbey, created and co-written by Julian Fellowes, and stars an ensemble cast including Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Dan Stevens and Michelle Dockery.

As Jenna leads Hugh though the 6 Season show (plus a film), they discuss issues such as Soaps and period drama, and the role of “cup of tea” drama, as well as the historical events and issues brought up in the piece including the First World War, and LGBT History, and somehow manage to talk about Marvel again.

Recorded September 2019

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In this episode, Hugh and Jenna explore their first historical piece of media, the Censored Eleven cartoons made by the Warner Brothers animation studio in the first half of the twentieth century, that were then banned for their racist overtones. These shorts were directed by some of early animation’s big hitters including Tex Avery, Chuck Jones and Bob Clampett.

As Jenna takes Hugh though the some of the eleven cartoons, they discuss the stereotyping of African American people, cultural appropriation and the cherry-picking of culture, and why and should we be still discussing these shorts. And Jenna confuses Mel Brooks for Mel Blanc.

Recorded August 2019

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In this episode Hugh and Jenna take a look at the MCU’s Pulpy World War II epic, Captain America: The First Avenger, starring Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones and Harley Atwell, directed by Joe Johnson and written Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

Hugh and Jenna discuss the history of Captain America as a comic book character, what is the impact of films like Captain America being children’s first exposed to the Second World War, the elements of the fantastical film, that are grounded in real history including propaganda, women’s contribution to the war effort, and the feel of the era, as well as so much Hitler punching.

Recorded August 2019

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Reel History, the podcast exploring the History within pop culture, and then decide if the property is REAL History or REEL History.

Reel History’s Pilot Episode where Hugh and Jenna introduce themselves while looking at the 2019 Award-winning HBO/Sky Mini-series Chernobyl starring an ensemble cast Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgård, and Emily Watson, directed by Johan Renck and created and written by Craig Mazin

The five-episode series based around the April 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster and the unprecedented clean-up efforts that followed. Hugh and Jenna discuss the incident, the role of the Soviet system on what happened, what was the impact of a series being made by a Western perspective, Hugh’s experience living in Europe during the period, and Jenna struggles with Russian words. 

Recorded August 2019

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