Description
In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we welcome an extraordinary guest: Bruce McKenna, co-executive producer, creator, and principal writer of The Pacific, and writer of the Bastogne episode of Band of Brothers. We talk about the moral stakes of war, what made it into the episodes and what didn’t, and why everything is about narrative and theme.
We explore Bruce’s creative process and the kind of stories he likes to tell. This one may change how you look at WWII media.
Part of our WW2 in the Pacific series: Explore more films and series on the Pacific theatre →
Other episodes mentioned
Ep 85 – Midway – Two Films, One Battle, and Why the 1976 Version Wins
In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we tackle Midway twice. We compare the 1976 classic with the 2019 CGI-heavy remake and take you through the events of The Battle of Midway. Get to know the key players and learn with us as we break down one of the most decisive naval battles of the Second World War.
Ep 77 – The Pacific – Closing Out the Best War Show of All Time (Part Three)
In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we wrap up our three-part discussion of The Pacific (2010) with episodes 7-10. Brace yourself for the brutal fighting on Peleliu and Okinawa to John and Lena Basilone, his final chapter and the long road home for Eugene Sledge and Robert Leckie. Alongside our returning guest George, we talk about leadership, disillusionment, the role of civilians, and the way grief and memory follow these men long after the war ends.
Ep 76 – The Pacific – Episodes 4-6 the Battle of Peleliu and More (Part Two)
Joining us to discuss episodes 4-6 of The Pacific (2010) is our friend Merc. We get into the meaty middle part of the show, saying hello to some new favourites (and clinging to them before they have to leave us again) while watching others go home. Its’ Peleliu time, which means everyone is having a terrible time. And Pavuvu, which is apparently not much better.
Ep 75 – The Pacific – Discussing Episodes 1-3 and a Lot of Bob Leckie (Part One)
In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, Bec returns to the pod to talk about the first three episodes of our favourite HBO War drama The Pacific (2010). Together, we discuss the show’s opening, the amazing theme, the great friendships… and we can’t stop gushing about Bob Leckie. Sorry. Not really.
Book Recs by Bruce McKenna
These book recs contain affiliate links. You can buy (at no extra cost to yourself) these books and a small percentage of the sale may go to us. This way, you support our production. Thank you.
Bruce about Blitzed by Norman Ohler:
“Blitzed is about drug use in the German army in World War II. It’s fascinating book. It touches on drug use in the American military as well. It’s all over the Pacific and the American and European campaigns; there was a lot of amphetamine use. And it’s something that’s never really been recognised. It’s really important. An aspect of World War II that’s like out of left field, you know, “Wow, I never thought of that.””
Bruce about Tennozan: The Battle of Okinawa and the Atomic Bomb by George Feifer
“Another book that I recommend for people that was very influential in the way I wrote about it in The Pacific is a book called Tennozan, which is about the Battle of Okinawa… very well researched book written in the 90s about why the dropping of the bomb happened. And it’s because of Okinawa and how bad that battle was.”
Bruce about Code Girls by Liza Mundy
“Code Girls, read Code Girls, the book that my show is based on. Fantastic book, social history of women in war.”
Bruce about We Die Alone by David Howarth
“Another great book that I tried to make into a show was We Die Alone, which is a famous book about a Norwegian commando unit that fought against the Germans.”
Bruce about Tower of Skulls by Richard B. Frank
“Tower of Skulls is about the Chinese and Japanese war. And it is so much worse. Anybody that tries to say the Americans manipulated the Japanese into the war and our imperialist designs made the Japanese… it’s bullshit. Go read Tower of Skulls. It is horrifying what the Japanese did in China. If you want to understand why Chinese right now want to take back Taiwan and have a hard line towards the United States and Japan, read Tower of Skulls.”
Discover more from the Rosie the Reviewer Podcast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
One Response
fascinating episode. thank you so much. am i wrong in understanding that McKenna makes an effort to include/create female characters? much appreciated. i didnt know much about how these shows were made (probably still dont lol).
not a lot of women in any of the hbo war shows, but its surprising how many of them exist as more than a cheap way to add depth to the male characters… “Oh, you thought this guy was like this, but his wife is like that, so there must be another side to him.” <- doesnt happen with Lena Basilone, doesnt even happen with the blonde actress. my beloved Karamanlis women… they have so much personality and their personality is their own.
in my mind at least, Generation Kill, where women either have a body or a name, shows what happens when we believe in The Good War – when we believe that women were either an unlucky body or a name to pray to. aka, their end results instead of their life.
were you able to talk to any of the Sheltons? well, im sure you would have had more luck with the Clement family if you did… does not sound like Snafu ever talked about his experiences, but im curious if it was similar to Sobel where you were planning to have this guy do some very unlikable things and therefore didnt want to talk to the family? he is my favorite character (and i love Sobel too – Schwimmer did an excellent job.) so this question is partly me wondering if theres any more info out there lol