We round up our series on period films exploring Creative Genius with the 2002 film Frida, starring Salma Hayek as the truly unparalleled artist and revolutionary, Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) and Alfred Molina as her husband and fellow artist, Diego Rivera (1886 - 1957). It's hard to capture someone so counter culture in a mainstream Hollywood Film, especially when her work has already been usurped by the tentacles of capitalism. We explore what we enjoyed about the film, what we thought was missing, and discuss the indefinable woman that the film centers on: Frida Kahlo.
Further Reading:
COMRADE FRIDA: 8 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT KAHLO & RUSSIA (https://www.izbaarts.com/comrade-frida-8-things-you-should-know-about-kahlo-russia/)
Frida Kahlo (Left) and Diego Rivera (Right) from Wikipedia.
12 Aug 2026
EP22 | The Big Country (1958)
Michelle and Casey discuss the Western epic The Big Country, released in 1958 and based on the novel Ambush at Blanco Canyon by Donald Hamilton (later renamed The Big Country). This film adaptation was directed by William Wyler and notably stars Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston and Burl Ives. All the actors in this film have standout performances. The Big Country lacks specific historical references unlike other Westerns, but Casey and Michelle still found historical details to discuss, including the House Un-American Activities Committee, as well as 1958-style movie-making magic such as choices about location, music, editing, and more.
Show Notes:
(1) The Big Country soundtrack, score by Jerome Moross (https://open.spotify.com/album/1V9SazXorywcSlptuZKxX0?si=-b2N-9M-TcOfz8DJn4t-_A)
(2) You Must Remember This Podcast by Katrina Longworth
Her episode on William Wyler's later career films (https://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/episodes/billy-wilder-1961-1981)
Her season on the Hollywood Blacklist (http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/episodes/2016/06/21/blacklistarchive)
20 Jul 2026
EP21 | The Libertine (2004)
The 2004 film The Libertine stars John Malkovich as Charles II and Johnny Depp as real life poet, The Earl of Rochester aka John Wilmot (lots of Johns!). We are once again exploring the theme of "creative genius" in the 17th century, but Wilmot's demise is the most elaborate of the main characters in the biopics we've discussed to date. Wilmot's real life poems were satyrical smut, and he seemed to live close to the lines he penned, dying at just 33 years old. Yet this film also explores themes of feminism and pokes fun at the idea of aristocracy, not unlike Wilmot's poems. Samantha Morton shines in this film as Elizabeth Barry, and Rosamund Pike plays Wilmot's wife, Elizabeth Malet (lots of Elizabeths!). The movie was written as a play first and at times feels more play like film like, but as far as transporting the viewer to another time, this move nails it.
Show Notes:
The Poetry Foundation: John Wilmot Earl Of Rochester https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-wilmot (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-wilmot)
Portrait of John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester (1647-1680). Private Collection. Artist : Huysmans, Jacob (c. 1633?1696). (Photo by Fine Art Images/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Contact Fallen Through Time
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Fallen Through Time?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
