Welcome to Rosie the Reviewer, a Dutch-Canadian female-led WW2 media podcast. A new episode airs every Friday!
Everything about Rosie and our WW2 adventures.
Discover the true stories of Virginia Hall, Noor Inayat Khan, and Vera Atkins — the real women behind A Call to Spy. Learn how these courageous women shaped the SOE.
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.
Can WWII be told through satire? Dive into Inglourious Basterds, Jojo Rabbit, and Life Is Beautiful with Rosie the Reviewer.
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.
Discover the true story of Rika van der Lans and Waldemar Nods, the real-life couple behind the Dutch WWII film Sonny Boy. Explore their courage, the acclaimed book that preserved their memory, and a personal family connection to their fate.
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.
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.
“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.
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!
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.
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!
This week, Sam and Maartje discuss one of their lowest-rated movies thusfar: The Catcher Was a Spy. It’s a movie about baseball player Moe Berg, who, unlike the film, was a fascinating character. Come complain about the movie with us while simultaneously bigging up Moe, please. Also, baseball, anyone?
In this week’s episode, we discuss episodes 4-6 of SAS Rogue Heroes Season Two with our regular guests, SAS Correspondent George and SAS Rogue Heroes military advisor Ben Simmons. Have you not heard the first one yet? We recommend listening to last week’s episode before this one for maximum enjoyment.
In this week’s episode, SAS Correspondent George and SAS Rogue Heroes military advisor Ben Simmons are back to discuss the long-anticipated second season. Since we like to give the show the attention it deserves, this is the first part of a two-part episode covering episodes 1-3 of SAS Rogue Heroes season 2. Check back next week for episodes 4-6.
In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we dive into Sonny Boy, a Dutch film based on the book by Annejet van der Zijl. The movie tells the true story of Dutch-Surinam couple Rika van der Lans and Waldemar Nods, highlighting their struggles during the German occupation of the Netherlands. The couple’s relationship and their efforts to hide Jews in their boarding house make for a compelling, emotional tale of resistance during WWII. Maartje also shares her love for Dutch history and the personal connection to this story.