The Historical Movies Podcast

Brian Clough vs. Leeds United — one of football’s greatest stories gets the cinematic treatment in The Damned United (2009), directed by Tom Hooper and starring Michael Sheen.We talk through the true story behind The Damned United, Clough’s chaotic 44 days at Leeds, and whether the film’s portrayal of Don Revie was fair play or foul.Plus: the real Peter Taylor bromance, managerial meltdowns, and why Brian Clough might have been England’s greatest “what if.”📩 Fancy a Cloughism of your own young man? Email us at [email protected] or @hmpodcast.bsky.social.

Glory (1989), directed by Edward Zwick and starring Denzel Washington, Matthew Broderick and Morgan Freeman, tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts — the first African-American regiment in the US Civil War.We explore the true history behind Glory, from the Battle of Fort Wagner to the realities of race, pay and military life in the 1860s. And where this movie did a disservice to the 54th.Plus: Denzel’s Oscar-winning tear, the film’s impact on Civil War memory, and THAT shot of a man’s head exploding like a watermelon in a microwave.📩 Want to discuss the real 54th or share your favourite Denzel performance? Email [email protected] or find us on @hmpodcast.bsky.social.

Gary Oldman stars as Ludwig van Beethoven in Immortal Beloved (1994) — the dramatic retelling of the composer’s life and loves, directed by Bernard Rose.We unpack the historical accuracy behind Immortal Beloved, including the probable real identity of Beethoven’s “immortal beloved,” and the bizarre fact that neither of the two top candidates appear in this movie,Plus: did this movie focus too much on the melodrama and not the history, how it compares to Amadeus (1984) , and the best (and worst) composer biopics of all time.📩 Know who you think was the real immortal beloved? Email us at [email protected] or say hi on @hmpodcast.bsky.social.

What happens when Allied POWs take on Nazi Germany... in a football match? Escape to Victory (1980) — directed by John Huston and starring Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone and Pelé — brings together war film, sports movie and propaganda spectacle.We look at the true story behind Escape to Victory, including the so-called “Death Match” in occupied Ukraine, and whether Stallone really could have scored the winning goal, despite being a goalkeeper.Plus: how many goals would VAR have overturned, Michael Caine’s questionable fitness, and the reason why there are SO MANY Ipswich Town players in this movie!📩 Got theories about Pelé’s tactical genius or Stallone’s goalkeeping credentials? Drop us a line at [email protected] or @hmpodcast.bsky.social.

We're taking a summer break for a few months, but we'll be back soon, so watch this space!Plus Ros answers some of your questions and hands out the coveted 'awards' for series 1 of the podcast: including the ones the Academy were too cowardly to do!Thanks for listening to series 1 and if you'd like to get in touch drop us a line at [email protected] or @hmpocast.bsky.social