Description
In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we talk The Monuments Men (2014), George Clooney’s glossy take on the true story of Allied soldiers racing to rescue Europe’s art from the Nazis. Joined by Merc, we unpack the film’s stacked cast, its mix of humour and drama, and why it never quite decides if it wants to be a comedy, a war drama, or an art heist. From Rose Valland’s secret lists to the missing Ghent Altarpiece, we explore what’s fact, what’s fiction, and why the real story deserves better.
The Monuments Men trailer
Mentioned in this episode
Ep 86 – Bruce McKenna on The Pacific, Band of Brothers, and the stories he’d like to tell.
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.
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 41 – Catch-22 – A Deep Dive Into Joseph Heller’s Iconic WWII Satire (With Our Friend Phoebe)
In this episode, Sam and Maartje are joined by literary friend Phoebe to talk about Catch-22. While there is a movie and a series, we mainly focus on Joseph Heller’s satirical novel, one of Sam’s all-time favourites. What does it all mean? Is this book impossible to adapt? Would it even be written today? We have a good chat about it.
Ep 7 – Saving Private Ryan – D-Day, Storytelling Tropes & Its Impact on War Cinema
This week we check out a WW2 film classic: Saving Private Ryan! Perhaps the war film to inspire all war films since. Will you finish your drink when they call out the title?
Other interesting sources to check out
- Learn more about Rose Valland (the woman Cate Blanchetts character was based on) in this extensive article.
- Read about Peter Schouten’s recent discovery of the stolen artwork Portrait of a Lady.
- Visit the Monuments Men and Women Foundation website for anything from the most-wanted missing artpieces, their shop, documentaries and more.
Book Recs
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.
Both Merc and Sam are very vocal about how The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel is much better than the film.
Merc: “I came back to it after rereading a portion of the book and remember just how great the book is and then how kind of lackluster the movie is.”
Sam also reads a section from the book in the episode that should give you an idea!
National Treasures: Saving the Nation’s Art in World War II by Caroline Shenton.
Merc: “Super, super interesting book. You learn a little bit about how to not store art in stately homes, how to not store art in a different kind of mine. Good read, highly recommend.”
We haven’t read this one yet but we think it’s an excellent idea if you do. The Art Front by Rose Valland is available on Amazon and through the Monuments Men and Women Foundation‘s shop.
From Merc’s TBR, Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nation’s Treasures from the Nazis by Robert M. Edsel.
Merc: “And then Robert Edsel, the guy who wrote Monuments Men, has another book called Saving Italy, the Race to Rescue a Nation’s Treasures from the Nazis. This one is still on my TBR, I haven’t read it yet, but it is specifically about Italy and Italian art, the Vatican collection, things like that. So it’s on my list.”
Discover more from the Rosie the Reviewer Podcast
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
