Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek star in the 2017 remake of Papillon, based on Henri Charrière’s memoir of imprisonment and escape from Devil’s Island.

We explore the real history behind the real Papillon, from the notorious French penal colonies in Guiana, why they existed, to how much of Charrière’s incredible story is actually true.

Plus: gym bros in prison, why this movie is like a cheap perfume ad, comparing it to the 1973 Steve McQueen original, and how this gritty film actually sanitised the original book!

📩 Got a bee in your bonnet or a ‘charger’ up your bum about this movie? Email us at historicalmoviespodcast@gmail.com or message @hmpodcast.bsky.social.

Jack El-Hai, author of The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, joins us for this episode of the Historical Movies Podcast for an in-depth conversation about the true story behind Nuremberg (2025) — the new film based on his acclaimed nonfiction book.

The Nazi and the Psychiatrist tells the remarkable real-life story of Dr. Douglas Kelley, the American psychiatrist tasked with evaluating Nazi leaders before the Nuremberg Trials. Drawing on newly uncovered interviews and psychological records, El-Hai explores how some of history’s most notorious figures understood themselves — and how ordinary human traits can coexist with extraordinary evil.

Jack's website: www.el-hai.com

In this interview, we discuss:

The real history behind The Nazi and the Psychiatrist

How Jack El-Hai studied the incredible Dr Kelly archive

The psychology of Nazi leadership before the Nuremberg Trials

What the book reveals that the film Nuremberg (2025) expands upon

Why this story remains relevant today

And what Bryce's barber Andy thinks of it all

📘 Book: The Nazi and the Psychiatrist by Jack El-Hai

🎬 Film: Nuremberg (2025)

Find us on Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/hmpodcast.bsky.social

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 historicalmoviespodcast@gmail.com 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 historicalmoviespodcast@gmail.com 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 historicalmoviespodcast@gmail.com 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 historicalmoviespodcast@gmail.com 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 historicalmoviespodcast@gmail.com or @hmpocast.bsky.social

Yoreflix: the NEW streaming service for historical drama. Interview with founder Imogen Cooper

Yoreflix founder Imogen Cooper talks to Ros about the new streaming service for historical dramas and movies and outlines what makes it unique in the field of streaming platforms.

We talk about Imogen’s background as an executive producer and her passion for history, what inspired her to create Yoreflix and talk more broadly about historical movies and dramas.

If the sound of Yoreflix has piqued your interest you can join the waitlist and get involved at www.yoreflix.com

You can also drop us a line at @hmpodcast.bsky.social‬