A 1990s epic becomes a doorway into an 18th-century world. This Public History podcast episode revisits Last of the Mohicans to unpack the real history of the French and Indian War - Fort William Henry, a young George Washington, and the myths that still shape how Americans imagine the frontier. Listen to the episode.
In this episode of Public History with Justin, Jake, and Molly, we revisit The Patriot (2000) as both a Revolutionary War story and a product of its time. The conversation digs into mythmaking, historical shortcuts, and how Hollywood action tropes still shape how Americans imagine the Revolution. Listen to the episode.
This holiday episode of the Public History podcast revisits It’s a Wonderful Life as more than a Christmas classic. We unpack the war trauma behind Jimmy Stewart’s performance, the clash between Bedford Falls and Potterville, and why Frank Capra’s critique of power still feels uncomfortably relevant today. Read the full story.
Spotlight (2015) shows how Boston Globe journalists uncovered the Catholic Church’s child abuse scandal, highlighting how investigative reporting can change the world. This film resonates today amid corporate pressures and misinformation. I explore why it’s my favorite film and why fearless journalism still matters. Read the full story.
In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the state of World War II history in popular memory and the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
In this episode of the podcast, we discuss one of our favorite movies - the 1999 film "October Sky."