Category Archives: War in Film

Historical Films at the Oscars

Posted on February 24, 2012 by briansandberg

Historical films are in the running for Oscars at the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony. Each year, films portraying historical subjects figure significantly in the Oscar nominations, but there seem to be an exceptionally large number of historical films this year. … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Film, History in the Media, War in Film | Leave a comment

Jay M. Winter on “Filming War”

Posted on December 21, 2011 by briansandberg

Historian Jay M. Winter has published an essay in Dædalus (Summer 2011) on “Filming War.” This article is part of a special issue of Dædalus devoted to “The Modern American Military,” including contributions by noted military historians Brian McAllister Linn, … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Film, History of Violence, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Why Leaders Lie

Posted on August 3, 2011 by briansandberg

John Mearsheimer, professor of political science at the University of Chicago, has published a new book on Why Leaders Lie: The Truth About Lying in International Politics. Worldview  interviewed Mearsheimer about the book yesterday on WBEZ. Students in HIST 390 … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Film, Political Culture, War in Film | Leave a comment

150th Anniversary of First Bull Run

Posted on July 24, 2011 by briansandberg

The 150th anniversary of the American Civil War has begun, ensuring that every day over the next four years, there will be commemorations of each battle, skirmish, and political event of the war. Over 8,000 historical reenactors ventured out into … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Historical Film, History in the Media, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

54th Massachusetts Reenactors

Posted on July 24, 2011 by briansandberg

As the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War unfolds, historical reenactors are enthusiastically commemorating most of the major events of the war. African-Americans are apparently getting involved in Civil War historical reenactment in increasing numbers. One new group has … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Conflict, Historical Film, History in the Media, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

100 Films Reviewed by Historians

Posted on May 13, 2011 by briansandberg

Historians are increasingly engaging with historical films, serving as historical consultants for film productions and as film reviewers for diverse publications. The American Historical Review experimented with film reviews for several years before shifting the reviews to the American Historical … Continue reading →

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Afghan War in Film

Posted on April 17, 2011 by briansandberg

A new documentary, Where Soldiers Come From, tells the story of a group of young men from Michigan who enlist in the National Guard and serve in the Afghan War.  The film was screened at the South by Southwest (SXSW) … Continue reading →

Posted in Empires and Imperialism, History of Violence, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

The Princess of Montpensier

Posted on April 15, 2011 by briansandberg

Bertrand Tavernier’s The Princess of Montpensier has been released.  The film focuses on the life of a young noblewoman at the Valois court during the French Wars of Religion. The film is an adaptation of a classic early French novel … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Modern Europe, French History, French Wars of Religion, Gender and Warfare, Historical Film, Religious Violence, War in Film, Warfare in the Early Modern World, Women and Gender History | Leave a comment

New Book on La Grande Illusion

Posted on April 10, 2011 by briansandberg

Jean Renoir’s film La Grande Illusion (1937) is a brilliant film set in a prisoner-of-war camp during the First World War. A recent book by Martin O’Shaughnessy reexamines this classic film: Martin O’Shaughnessy. La Grande Illusion (London and New York: … Continue reading →

Posted in French History, Historical Film, Uncategorized, War in Film, War, Culture, and Society | Leave a comment

Guns in Film

Posted on April 9, 2011 by briansandberg

When did guns become pervasive in film?  Perhaps earlier than you imagine…. This is a shootout scene from The Great Train Robbery (1903). Milos Stehlik, of Facets in Chicago, considered the portrayal of guns in film recently on WBEZ’s Worldview. … Continue reading →

Posted in Historical Film, History of Violence, War in Film | Leave a comment