The 14th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 26-July 5, 2023
#1
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The 14th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 26-July 5, 2023

presents
The Fourteenth Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge
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| Challenge starts at dusk May 26, 2023 and ends at sunrise July 5 |
This is the 14th annual historical appreciation discussion thread.
| LIST THREAD |
| 2022 discussion thread |
| 2022 list thread |
| 2021 discussion thread |
| 2021 list thread |
| 2020 discussion thread |
| 2020 list thread |
(lotsa stuff in between)2010 Discussion | 2010 Lists
2011 Discussion | 2011 Lists
2012 Discussion | 2012 Lists
2013 Discussion | 2013 Lists
The challenge runs from Memorial Day weekend through Independence Day.
Years ago, this challenge had its roots in the war and Westerns genres, so we continue to celebrate those today.
In a nutshell, here are the basics:
- Movies and TV content specifically about a historical figure, event or period are eligible.
- Tangential content (i.e., fantasy, time travel, movies merely set in a generic "past" where the time period is not emphasized as important) is to be excluded, except...
- Toward the end of the challenge, from dusk on 30 June until dawn on 1 July, you may watch Time Travel films to count double with your Sci-Fi/Fantasy Challenge list. However, the setting(s) must have already taken place, so you can't watch a movie set in the future that travels to a different point in the future.
Is TV Content Allowed?
Certainly! Just make sure that it's as consistent with the spirit of the challenge as the movies you might watch. We used to allow anything on The History Channel carte blanche but with the proliferation of reality TV shows there, try to remember that no matter how dangerous driving a semi across ice is, it isn't "historical"...yet!
Counting
Many of the films at the heart of this challenge have considerable run times, so even though there's always a sort of de facto goal of hitting 100 movies watched, it's not really expected here. We'd much rather you take this opportunity to finally see Lawrence of Arabia than to squeeze in two shorter films.
Since there are no prizes for this challenge, feel free to count using whichever method best suits you. The standard is that 2 TV broadcast hours or short films is equivalent to 1 movie. Some members prefer to count each episode or short as a single entry. Others tally their cumulative viewing time. Whatever floats your boat. It's your list!
Why Aren't Documentaries on the Checklist?
It's up to each participant to decide what mix of dramatizations and documentaries best suits him or her. If you want to watch documentaries exclusively, you're welcome to do that. If you don't want to watch any, that's fine, too. Some checkmarks will be easier to attain with docs, though!
Hey, What About...?
Travis was the original host, and his BA was earned in history, but even he hasn't seen every movie ever made and he doesn't have an encyclopedic knowledge of every historical figure, event and period. Regarding specific films, the suggestion--and this goes for any questions--is that you ask about a specific film in the discussion thread and see what feedback you get from others who have seen it. If you don't get anything helpful, the general rule of thumb is that if you feel that you have a sufficient reason to believe that it's an appropriate selection then go ahead and watch it. If it turns out not to really fit the nature of this challenge, still count it as a viewing but please share your thoughts with us.
Post your list in the list thread. Be as creative or as basic with your list as you want.
Here 's one of Trravis' original checklists if you're so inclined:
Spoiler:
#2
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Re: The 14th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 26-July 5, 2023
Since I didn't see threads started for this one I went ahead and created them. Link to the list thread is in the first post.
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shadokitty (05-27-23)
#3
Re: The 14th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 26-July 5, 2023
Thanks for stepping up Bob. I had been wondering myself. But I have no time nowadays to run any challenge. I’m a business owner now and that takes a lot of my time.
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Re: The 14th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 26-July 5, 2023
Thanks, Bobo! As luck would have it, I happened to watch the Disney stage musical of Newsies last night because we had seen a high school performance the night before! 
Uhhhh, now that I think about it, did I run this last year? I’ve been thinking about what to watch this year but never thought about running it, so that’s my bad. Thanks for stepping up.
Best of luck in your new ventures, shadokitty.

Uhhhh, now that I think about it, did I run this last year? I’ve been thinking about what to watch this year but never thought about running it, so that’s my bad. Thanks for stepping up.

Best of luck in your new ventures, shadokitty.
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shadokitty (05-27-23)
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Re: The 14th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 26-July 5, 2023
I started with 1953's Julius Caesar, a new-to-me film. And I had a tough time with it as it's a pretty straight filming of Shakespeare's play with his language intact. Were it not for subtitles I'd have struggled with it a bit more as I can take the subtitles and reword it easier than just listening to the actors. This is one of those films you watch as much for the all-star cast as anything else - and the cast is absolutely worth the watch.
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Re: The 14th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 26-July 5, 2023
Just watched a couple new-ish releases that I had held off on watching till this challenge, The Northman and Marlowe. Good thing, because getting challenge “credit” was about the only redeeming thing about them.
Well, that and checking them off my new-release list.
Also watching The Crowded Room, an Apple series with Tom Holland half-set in the ‘70s. I started an episode of Paramount+’s Pink Ladies series on Friday, but it’s gone today.

Also watching The Crowded Room, an Apple series with Tom Holland half-set in the ‘70s. I started an episode of Paramount+’s Pink Ladies series on Friday, but it’s gone today.

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Re: The 14th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 26-July 5, 2023
I took advantage of the July 5 end date to slip in a final watch, Dark Waters, a 2019 Mark Ruffalo vehicle about a lawyer taking on DuPont for knowingly poisoning humans and animals with toxic waste. Not a fun watch, but good.
I also picked off some stuff from my watch list, including Netflix’s new Lady Chatterley and All Quiet on the Western Front.
I’m sorry I didn’t fit in more cowboy movies and music documentaries. I did watch the first of three episodes of The Price of Glee on HBO MAX, which told the story of how the cast crumbled under intense pressure, mostly told by interviews with peripheral crew from the show. I was a big fan so I thought it was interesting, but made me feel like I was watching TMZ so I haven’t continued.
I also picked off some stuff from my watch list, including Netflix’s new Lady Chatterley and All Quiet on the Western Front.
I’m sorry I didn’t fit in more cowboy movies and music documentaries. I did watch the first of three episodes of The Price of Glee on HBO MAX, which told the story of how the cast crumbled under intense pressure, mostly told by interviews with peripheral crew from the show. I was a big fan so I thought it was interesting, but made me feel like I was watching TMZ so I haven’t continued.