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PODCAST · history

Reel History

by Joshua Bujakowski and John Carlisle

Where Hollywood meets the history books. Each episode dives into a film or show that takes on the past—and we separate fact from fiction.

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Episodes

  1. Masters of the Air - Part 8

    We're Back! We kick things off with a quick recap of Young Washington and The Odyssey before heading back into the skies over Europe with Episode 8 of Masters of the Air. As the war enters its final stages, the men of the 100th Bomb Group face new challenges. Meanwhile, the introduction of the...

  2. Young Washington Trailer Breakdown

    John takes the mic for a solo episode to break down the Young Washington trailer, exploring the history behind the future first president of the United States. From his early military career in the French and Indian War to the experiences that shaped his leadership, John examines what's...

  3. Monuments Men

    Quick note: we apologize in advance for the video clips missing during the first 20 minutes of the episode. In this episode of Reel History, we dive into the true story behind The Monuments Men and the real-life mission to save Europe’s stolen art during World War II. How accurate is the movie?…

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  4. The Odyssey Trailer Breakdown

    In this solo episode, Josh breaks down the newly released Odyssey trailer shot-by-shot, digging into the mythological references, visual symbolism, historical inspirations, and storytelling choices hiding in plain sight. Whether you’re a fan of mythology, film analysis, or epic storytelling, this...

  5. The Post

    In this episode of Reel History, we break down The Post and the true story behind one of the most important moments in American journalism. Set during the Vietnam War, the film follows The Washington Post as it grapples with whether to publish the Pentagon Papers, classified documents that…

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  6. Pearl Harbor

    Dive into the blockbuster Pearl Harbor as we separate Hollywood spectacle from historical reality. From the surprise attack and the USS Arizona to the Doolittle Raid and America’s path into WWII, we break down what the film gets right, what it gets painfully wrong, and why this moment still...

  7. Band of Brothers - Episode 9 & 10

    In this episode, we dive into the final chapters of Band of Brothers: Episode 9, “Why We Fight,” and Episode 10, “Points.” We unpack Easy Company’s experience as the war winds down, liberating the Kaufering concentration camp, confronting the true cost of the conflict, and navigating the uneasy...

  8. Band of Brothers - Episode 3 & 4

    In this episode of Reel History, we march deeper into Band of Brothers with Episodes 3 (“Carentan”) and 4 (“Replacements”). The men of Easy Company face the chaos of combat for the first time as they fight to capture the critical town of Carentan, and later, the harsh reality of Operation Market...

  9. Band of Brothers - Episode 2: Day of Days

    From scattered paratrooper drops to the daring assault at Brécourt Manor, Easy Company’s story on D-Day has become the stuff of legend. Based on Stephen Ambrose’s best-selling book Band of Brothers and brought to life in the HBO miniseries, this episode dives into the chaos in the skies, the…

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  10. Oppenheimer - Part 2

    In Part 2 of our Oppenheimer deep dive, we witness the Trinity test and dawn of the the political, personal, and moral fallout of the atomic age. Drawing again from American Prometheus, the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography that inspired Christopher Nolan’s film, we examine the security hearings...

  11. Oppenheimer - Part 1

    On July 16, 1945, a flash lit up the New Mexico desert and the world would never be the same. In Part 1 of our Oppenheimer deep dive, we explore the man behind the Manhattan Project, the race to build the bomb, and the events leading up to the Trinity test. Drawing from American Prometheus, the...

  12. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

    Cursed gold. Marooned. Rum-soaked legends. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is packed with fantasy—but how much of it is rooted in real pirate history? In this episode we dive deep into the truth behind the Black Pearl. From Jack Sparrow’s marooning and the Pirate Code to...

  13. The Blind Side

    In this episode of Reel History, we break down the biggest factual inaccuracies in The Blind Side and explore what Michael Oher has to say about the film that changed his life… without his full consent. This isn’t just a movie review. It’s a reality check.

  14. The Greatest Showman

    Step right up! In this episode of Reel History, we dive beneath the glitter and grand finales of The Greatest Showman to uncover the real story of P.T. Barnum. Because history may not come with choreography… but it sure knows how to put on a show.

  15. Titanic - with Steph Martini

    How much of Titanic (1997) is actually true? In this episode, we dive deep into the real history behind James Cameron’s blockbuster. From lifeboat myths to whether 3rd-class passengers were locked below, we break down what the movie got right, what it exaggerated, and what never happened at all.

  16. The Social Network

    In this episode of Reel History, we crack open the code behind The Social Network and separate screenwriting from reality. From final clubs and dorm-room algorithms to Eduardo Saverin’s true role and Sean Parker’s dramatic exit, we examine what the film gets right, what it bends, and what it...

  17. Hamilton

    In this episode of Reel History, we take our shot at one of the most influential Broadway shows of the 21st century: Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s revolutionary retelling of America’s founding is full of rhythm, passion, and power—but how much of it is historically accurate? Follow us on...

  18. Welcome to Reel History

    What happens when Hollywood rewrites history? In our pilot episode, we lay out the mission: separating movie magic from real-life moments. Get ready to watch smarter.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Where Hollywood meets the history books. Each episode dives into a film or show that takes on the past—and we separate fact from fiction.

HOSTED BY

Joshua Bujakowski and John Carlisle

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Reel History have?

Reel History currently has 18 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Reel History about?

Where Hollywood meets the history books. Each episode dives into a film or show that takes on the past—and we separate fact from fiction.

How often does Reel History release new episodes?

Reel History has 18 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Reel History?

You can listen to Reel History on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Reel History?

Reel History is created and hosted by Joshua Bujakowski and John Carlisle.
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