The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
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The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025

presents
The Sixteenth Annual Historical Appreciation Challenge

| Challenge starts on May 30 and ends at sunrise July 7 |
This is the 16th annual historical appreciation discussion thread.
| LIST THREAD |
| 2024 discussion thread |
| 2024 list thread
| 2023 discussion thread |
| 2023 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 May 30 (used to be Memorial Day weekend) through Independence Day weekend.
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:
Last edited by davidh777; 05-30-25 at 09:54 AM.
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Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
Reserved
#3
Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
Think I'll participate this year. Don't know if I'll manage one a day, but at least one or two a week, for sure.
#4
Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
Does something like Deadwood count for this challenge?
#5
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Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
I'm not an authority, but I have counted all westerns and period pieces in the past.
On a whim, I watched The Eddy Duchin Story which I purchased during a Twilight Time sale, mostly because it stars Tyrone Power and KIm Novak. I'm not a huge fan of biopics about musicians, but this one mixed things up with some very effective melodrama. The ending scene is so sad and beautiful that I was in tears. Power is too old to play the character - especially in the early scenes - but you cannot deny his star power. Novak plays Duchin's first wife, and she's incredible. She's also distractingly beautiful in costumes designed by Jean Louis. I looked the film up on Wikipedia, and Eddy Duchin's son has criticized how much the script deviated from the facts of his parents' lives.
On a whim, I watched The Eddy Duchin Story which I purchased during a Twilight Time sale, mostly because it stars Tyrone Power and KIm Novak. I'm not a huge fan of biopics about musicians, but this one mixed things up with some very effective melodrama. The ending scene is so sad and beautiful that I was in tears. Power is too old to play the character - especially in the early scenes - but you cannot deny his star power. Novak plays Duchin's first wife, and she's incredible. She's also distractingly beautiful in costumes designed by Jean Louis. I looked the film up on Wikipedia, and Eddy Duchin's son has criticized how much the script deviated from the facts of his parents' lives.
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Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
Deadwood is set in the 19th century and absolutely counts.
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Gobear (06-05-25)
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Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
Picking off a few things in my watch queue:
Far from the Madding Crowd (2015) is a gorgeously shot adaptation of a Thomas Hardy novel. Way back in my college days, I was really into Hardy, so I dug it, and it wasn't even as much of a downer as his later novels.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare started out as the kind of military caper I love, but the third act kinda lost steam. They spent a lot of time mowing down Nazis, which I'm always in favor of, but the objective changed, and that didn't work as well for me. However, it was based on a true story, so I guess I should blame history.
Hitchcock (2012) was a look at how Hitch (Anthony Hopkins) fought Paramount to film Psycho. I've seen a ton of Hitchcock films but didn't know some of this behind-the-scenes stuff.
I started the 2023 Three Musketeers. It looks good but I'm so familiar with the story. I'll keep watching but am not entranced.
Far from the Madding Crowd (2015) is a gorgeously shot adaptation of a Thomas Hardy novel. Way back in my college days, I was really into Hardy, so I dug it, and it wasn't even as much of a downer as his later novels.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare started out as the kind of military caper I love, but the third act kinda lost steam. They spent a lot of time mowing down Nazis, which I'm always in favor of, but the objective changed, and that didn't work as well for me. However, it was based on a true story, so I guess I should blame history.

Hitchcock (2012) was a look at how Hitch (Anthony Hopkins) fought Paramount to film Psycho. I've seen a ton of Hitchcock films but didn't know some of this behind-the-scenes stuff.
I started the 2023 Three Musketeers. It looks good but I'm so familiar with the story. I'll keep watching but am not entranced.
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Gobear (06-10-25)
#9
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Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
I watched Ambush at Cimarron Pass yesterday. 1958. It features a young and upcoming actor named Clint Eastwood. It was strange watching this movie because at times Clint was referred to as " kid " or along those lines. This was strange because as of present times Clint is about 95 years old today. I bought this bluray a few years ago as a blind buy. It's not outstanding but it has presented me with multiple views that have not disappointed. I'm glad to have bought it.
#10
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Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
Me watching Three Musketeers and all the swashbuckling, with occasional pistols: Hey, I didn't know they had firearms in the days of the musket... never mind.
After I watched the French 2023 version, I rewatched the 2011 Logan Lerman/Milla Jovovich steampunk one. Pretty silly. I then dipped into the most familiar one for me, Richard Lester's 1974 version with Michael York, Richard Chamberlain, Raquel Welch, etc. I have it on Vudu, but oddly the service doesn't offer the sequel.
I also watched the Brian Wilson biopic, Love and Mercy, which was pretty good. They use two different actors, including John Cusack, for two different phases of Wilson's life.
After I watched the French 2023 version, I rewatched the 2011 Logan Lerman/Milla Jovovich steampunk one. Pretty silly. I then dipped into the most familiar one for me, Richard Lester's 1974 version with Michael York, Richard Chamberlain, Raquel Welch, etc. I have it on Vudu, but oddly the service doesn't offer the sequel.
I also watched the Brian Wilson biopic, Love and Mercy, which was pretty good. They use two different actors, including John Cusack, for two different phases of Wilson's life.
#11
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Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
M
After I watched the French 2023 version, I rewatched the 2011 Logan Lerman/Milla Jovovich steampunk one. Pretty silly. I then dipped into the most familiar one for me, Richard Lester's 1974 version with Michael York, Richard Chamberlain, Raquel Welch, etc. I have it on Vudu, but oddly the service doesn't offer the sequel.
After I watched the French 2023 version, I rewatched the 2011 Logan Lerman/Milla Jovovich steampunk one. Pretty silly. I then dipped into the most familiar one for me, Richard Lester's 1974 version with Michael York, Richard Chamberlain, Raquel Welch, etc. I have it on Vudu, but oddly the service doesn't offer the sequel.
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Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
I have the 2023 version. It started out good on the first volume, then I thought it lacked a bit on the 2nd volume. The 1974 version with Michael York I really like. There's a new Critenton? (spelling), that was just released that I would like to buy. It has the sequel in with it. It's a bit expensive, but maybe some day.
#13
Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
Here's a non-exhaustive list of movies that meet the criteria for tonight's window of double count.
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.
- Assassin's Creed (2016)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)
- Predestination (2014)
- Retroactive (1997)
- Tenet (2020)
- Time After Time (1979)
- Time Bandits (1981)
- Time Cop (1994)
- Totally Killer (2023)
Last edited by coyoteblue; 06-30-25 at 02:16 AM.
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#14
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Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
^ Piggybacking. As far as tv series, don't ignore The Time Tunnel. I'd say that at least 75% of the episodes were traveling to the past.
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Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
I saw a couple stage musicals that seemed appropriate. Always... Patsy Cline was a reenactment of an occasion where Cline met and befriended a fan. Mostly an excuse to sing Cline songs, but the story was funny too. The 1960 musical Bye Bye Birdie isn't a period piece, but it really captures the zeitgeist of the '50s, with an Elvis figure, an appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, landlines, and the shriners all playing a part.
I'll probably buy it for myself at some point
I'll probably buy it for myself at some point
#17
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Re: The 16th Annual Historical Appreciation *Discussion Thread* May 30-July 6, 2025
I saw a couple stage musicals that seemed appropriate. Always... Patsy Cline was a reenactment of an occasion where Cline met and befriended a fan. Mostly an excuse to sing Cline songs, but the story was funny too. The 1960 musical Bye Bye Birdie isn't a period piece, but it really captures the zeitgeist of the '50s, with an Elvis figure, an appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, landlines, and the shriners all playing a part.
I'll probably buy it for myself at some point
I'll probably buy it for myself at some point





