The Rosie the Reviewer Podcast

Welcome to Rosie the Reviewer, a Dutch-Canadian female-led WW2 media podcast. A new episode airs every Friday!

Blogs

Everything about Rosie and our WW2 adventures.
Episodes

Ep 60 – X Company Season 1 – Canada’s Secret Spy Camp X Meets Gritty WWII Drama

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we dive into the explosive first season of X Company — the 2015 Canadian WWII drama about five secret agents trained at Camp X, Canadas’ spy training camp. From high-stakes sabotage in occupied France to moral grey zones and surprise betrayals, we explore what makes this little-known show so gripping. We talk about the character arcs we love, historical accuracy, and the surprisingly brutal tone. Expect fake dating, trauma flashbacks, Nazi hypocrisy, and a that one guy from Schitt’s Creek.

Read More »
06/06/2025 3 Comments
Episodes

Ep 59 – The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Australian POWs and the Burma Railway

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we unpack The Narrow Road to the Deep North, the harrowing new WWII series starring Jacob Elordi as Australian surgeon Dorrigo Evans. Based on Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel, the show follows Dorrigo’s life before, during, and after his time as a POW forced to build the Burma Railway. We talk symbolism, adaptation choices, and why every character in this show feels trapped—by war, by love, by legacy. Plus, we ask, once again, why is it so f*cking dark?

Read More »
30/05/2025 No Comments
Episodes

Ep 58 – Other Than Honorable – A Riveting Debrief with Spy Fiction Author Matt Hartman

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we sit down with Matt Hartman, retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer and author of the WWII spy thriller Other Than Honorable. We talk about writing spy fiction, morally complex heroes, the feeling of Berlin on the brink of war and what it’s like building a Jason Bourne-ish spy with zero suave and actual consequences. From the emotional roots of Ridge Frost to Hartman’s enigma rabbit holes, this one’s got historical deep cuts, an awkward leading man and a leading lady who might be more competent than the man himself. We love spy shit.

Read More »
23/05/2025 No Comments
Episodes

Ep 57 – A Call to Spy – Women of the SOE in Focus

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we discuss the 2019 historical drama A Call to Spy, which follows the real-life wartime missions of Virginia Hall, Noor Inayat Khan, and Vera Atkins — three extraordinary women recruited into Churchill’s Special Operations Executive during WWII.
We explore what the film gets right, where it fictionalises, and how the true stories behind these women are even more astonishing than what made it to the screen. We also reflect on why telling these stories now matters more than ever, as the generation that witnessed them is rapidly disappearing.

Read More »
16/05/2025 No Comments
Episodes

Ep 56 – Le Grand Cirque – A Sortie into France’s Forgotten Fighter Ace Pierre Clostermann

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we embark on a cinematic sortie with Le Grand Cirque (The Big Show), the 1950 French film based on the bestselling memoir by ace pilot Pierre Clostermann. While the movie tries to be authentic with vintage aircraft footage and Free French pride, we found it weighed down by a lack of character depth and narrative, especially compared to Clostermann’s vivid, emotionally resonant book. We discuss Clostermann’s daring missions, the film’s historical context, its unique multilingual quirks, and why this underrated French perspective on WWII deserves more attention, perhaps from Hollywood—preferably with subtitles next time.

Read More »
09/05/2025 No Comments
Episodes

Ep 55 – Inglourious Basterds: Tarantino’s Bloody, Brilliant WWII Fantasy

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we dive into Quentin Tarantino’s explosive alternate history film Inglourious Basterds (2009). From Christoph Waltz’s unforgettable performance as the chilling Hans Landa to the film’s masterful tension, spaghetti-western style, and cathartic violence, we break down why this outrageous WWII fantasy still captivates audiences. We also explore the real-life echoes behind the “Basterds,” Tarantino’s bold music choices, and what makes alternate history so tricky — and thrilling — when it’s done right.

Read More »
02/05/2025 No Comments
Episodes

Ep 54 – Bobby Schofield on Playing Dave Kershaw in SAS Rogue Heroes, Being a History Nerd & WWII Acting

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, actor Bobby Schofield joins us and SAS Rogue Heroes Correspondent George to talk about his role as Corporal Dave Kershaw in SAS Rogue Heroes (available on BBC iPlayer, MGM+, and Max). We explore his journey from lifelong WWII history nerd to series regular, including the deep research and sleuthing that shaped his portrayal. Bobby shares stories of on-set camaraderie, unscripted lines like “No pasarán!”, and the emotional weight of playing a real WWII figure. We also discuss hopes for Season 3, listen to Bobby nerd out about Band of Brothers and grill him about life on set.

Read More »
25/04/2025 No Comments
Episodes

Ep 53 – Black Book: Dutch Resistance, Betrayal & the Spy Who Dyed Her Pubes

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we dive into Black Book, Paul Verhoeven’s 2006 thriller about a Jewish woman who goes undercover in the Dutch resistance. Nearly twenty years later, its themes of complicity, moral ambiguity, and survival feel sharper—and perhaps even more relevant—against the backdrop of today’s conflicts.
We unpack the film’s chaotic plot, infamous pube-bleaching scene, and the real-life resistance fighter who inspired the story. And we discuss the uncomfortable: how Verhoeven uses a WWII setting not just to thrill, but to ask unsettling questions about the blurred lines between victim and aggressor—and how quickly one can become the other.
A war movie that’s sexy, violent, politically loaded, and painfully relevant.

Read More »
18/04/2025 No Comments
Behind the scenes

A year of the Rosie the Reviewer podcast

“Let’s start a podcast,” an offhand comment between two friends didn’t hold much water—or so we thought. A year later, we’re still going. Today marks the one-year anniversary of the Rosie the Reviewer podcast, and boy, what a year it’s been.

Read More »
14/04/2025 2 Comments
Episodes

Ep 52 – Masters of the Air Actors Bailey Brook & Kai Alexander Talk WWII Escape Routes & Behind-the-Scenes Moments

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we’re joined by Masters of the Air stars Bailey Brook and Kai Alexander, who brought to life the characters of Sergeant Charles K. Bailey and Sergeant William Quinn. Get the inside scoop on their experience portraying WWII airmen, discover the thrilling story of the Comet Line and its daring escape routes, and hear all about the behind-the-scenes details that went into bringing these real-life stories to the screen. Grab your parachute and join us for an action-packed conversation!

Read More »
11/04/2025 1 Comment
Episodes

Ep 51 – South Pacific: A Musical About WWII? A Deep Dive into Rodgers & Hammerstein’s WWII Classic

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we head to the South Pacific to explore Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic World War II musical. Maartje and Sam discuss whether war is a suitable backdrop for a musical, and dive into the show’s complicated relationship with racism — from its progressive anthem “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” to its undeniably stereotypical portrayals. Plus, a detour into the CB’s (Maartje’s obsessed!) and cultural memory.

Read More »
04/04/2025 No Comments
Episodes

Ep 50 – Behind the Costumes of SAS Rogue Heroes Season Two (With Terry Herfield)

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we welcome Terry Herfield, crowd costume supervisor for Season 2 of SAS Rogue Heroes. Terry shares what it’s like to dress an army of stunt performers, extras, and supporting artists — and what goes into making sure every uniform and jacket is in the right place. We talk about her career journey, her favourite anecdotes from set, and the art of blending historical accuracy with practical costume management on a big set. It’s a peek behind the scenes you dont’ want to miss!

Read More »
28/03/2025 1 Comment