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

Tag: POWs

Find everything about a specific topic.

Ep 108 – Another Mother's Son – Episode Art
Another Mother's Son

Ep 108 – Another Mother’s Son – Resistance on the Occupied Channel Islands

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we discuss Another Mother’s Son (2017), the true story of Louisa Gould, a Jersey shopkeeper who sheltered an escaped Russian POW on the German-occupied Channel Islands. We talk about the film’s strengths and where it shortchanges its own story, and we cover the history of the occupation, from Britain’s decision not to defend the islands to what happened to Louisa after her arrest. It’s also Mother’s Day this weekend, so we’re joined by a very special guest: Rhonda, Sam’s mom.

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Ep 92 – Hart's War – Episode Art
European Theater

Ep 92 – Hart’s War – A Courtroom drama set Inside a POW Camp

In this episode of Rosie the Reviewer, we discuss Hart’s War (2002), directed by Gregory Hoblit and based on the novel by John Katzenbach. Set inside a German POW camp during the final months of World War II, the film is about a racially charged court martial involving a Tuskegee Airman, with a young American officer forced into the role of defence lawyer.War movie or courtroom drama? This is a bit of both. The film tries to handle questions of racism within the US military, but we’re not sure if it tries hard enough. Based on a book, itdiverges sharply from its source material. As usual, Sam gives you the best bits from the book.

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Pacific Theater

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?

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European Theater

Ep 46 – Sonny Boy – A Powerful Story of Love, Struggle, and Resistance in WWII

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.

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