Review It Yourself

From Wartime Hardship to Hope, One of Britain's Most Beloved Stories.

In this heartfelt episode of Review It Yourself, Sean is joined by Luke from The Howdy Beans Podcast to discuss the beloved 1998 television adaptation of Goodnight Mister Tom. Based on the classic novel by Michelle Magorian, this moving story follows young evacuee William Beech as he leaves wartime London and forms an unlikely bond with the gruff but compassionate Tom Oakley.

Together, we explore why Goodnight Mister Tom remains one of the most emotionally powerful British films ever made. From its unforgettable performances by John Thaw and Nick Robinson to its themes of friendship, trauma, healing, childhood resilience and life during World War II, this episode dives deep into what makes this adaptation such an enduring classic. Luke shares his lifelong connection to the film, while we discuss how the story changes as you revisit it at different stages of life. We also compare the television adaptation to the original novel, reflect on the legacy of Michelle Magorian, and examine why this story continues to move audiences decades after its release.

Whether you grew up watching Goodnight Mister Tom, studied the novel at school, or are discovering it for the first time, this episode celebrates a timeless piece of British storytelling that continues to touch hearts across generations.

In This Episode
Why Goodnight Mister Tom remains a British classic
John Thaw's unforgettable performance as Tom Oakley
Willie Beech's emotional journey from abuse to belonging
The realities of child evacuation during World War II
Comparing the film adaptation with Michelle Magorian's novel
Themes of kindness, healing, friendship, loss and hope
Why this story still resonates with modern audiences
Luke's personal history with the film
British television adaptations that stand the test of time

Guest Details
Luke "The Elder Bean" from The Howdy Beans Podcast joins us for this discussion.
Listen to The Howdy Beans Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-howdy-beans-podcast/id1781351772
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The Howdy Beans Podcast covers movies, television, books, video games, nostalgia, Goosebumps novels, cult classics and much more.

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Stay up to date with the latest film reviews, television discussions, book chats, interviews and special episodes from Review It Yourself.

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Why You Should Watch Goodnight Mister Tom
More than twenty-five years after its release, Goodnight Mister Tom remains one of the finest British television dramas ever produced. Combining powerful performances, emotional storytelling and an authentic depiction of wartime Britain, it continues to resonate with viewers of all ages.
If you're a fan of British drama, literary adaptations, World War II stories, coming-of-age films or emotionally moving character studies, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Book Recommendations:
-The Day They Took The Children, No Time To Wave Goodbye and Waiting for the All Clear by Ben Wicks.
-Under Fire: Black Britain in Wartime 1939-45 by Stephen Bourne.
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An explosive SAS action thriller sparks fierce debate and unforgettable eighties nostalgia

In this episode of Review It Yourself, we dive into the controversial 1982 British action thriller Who Dares Wins — the cult classic starring Lewis Collins that blends SAS action, Cold War paranoia, terrorism, political extremism, and one unforgettable embassy siege finale.

Joined by returning guest Paul from 'History Rage', we break down why Who Dares Wins starts with genuine tension and political intrigue before veering into one of the most divisive first halves we’ve ever reviewed on the podcast.

Is this an underrated British action gem inspired by the real Iranian Embassy siege? Or is it a painfully slow thriller redeemed only by its explosive final act?

Expect discussion on:
The film’s connection to the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege
SAS representation in 1980s British cinema
Nuclear protest politics and Cold War fears
Lewis Collins as an action hero
Wild pacing problems and baffling plot decisions
The infamous embassy assault sequence
Whether Who Dares Wins deserves cult classic status

If you love vintage action movies, British cult cinema, SAS thrillers, Cannon-style action films, or deep-dive movie reviews with strong opinions and humour, this episode is for you.
Guest Paul returns for another lively debate-filled review, bringing his passion for classic action cinema and plenty of disagreement along the way. Find Paul at https://www.historyrage.com/

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Ancient epics, Nolan controversy, and brutal trailer reactions from passionate film fans.

In this episode of Review It Yourself, hosts Sean and Sarah dive into the newly released trailer for Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated adaptation of The Odyssey (2026), while comparing it to classic historical epics including Troy (2004) and Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014).

Does Nolan’s Odyssey look like the next cinematic masterpiece — or an emotionally empty spectacle? Sean and Sarah break down the trailer’s visuals, performances, accents, dialogue, battle sequences, and overall tone, while debating whether Homer’s legendary story can truly work on screen in the modern blockbuster era.

The conversation also explores:

Why modern historical epics struggle to connect emotionally
Comparisons with Dune, Oppenheimer, and Tenet
Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, and the cast expectations
Why Troy still works as an epic movie experience
Ridley Scott’s approach to historical filmmaking
Whether audiences still want large-scale mythological cinema
The importance of atmosphere, wonder, and character in fantasy storytelling

If you love movie reviews, historical epics, mythology, Christopher Nolan discussions, or film trailer breakdowns, this episode is packed with passionate debate and sharp opinions.

Featured Films & Topics
The Odyssey (2026)
Troy (2004)
Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
Christopher Nolan
Ridley Scott
Homer’s Odyssey
Historical & mythological cinema
Epic movie trailers
Fantasy and war films

About Review It Yourself
Review It Yourself is the podcast where honest opinions meet movies, TV, games, trailers, and pop culture discussion — without corporate fluff or forced positivity.

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Whether you’re excited for Nolan’s Odyssey or already worried about another overblown epic, this episode gives you plenty to think about before the film arrives.
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Love, grief, desire, and rebirth collide in Deb Twiss’s Crave journey
In this emotionally honest and deeply engaging episode of Review It Yourself, Sean sits down with filmmaker, writer, actor, and creative force Deb Twiss to discuss her powerful new independent film Crave (2025). Exploring themes of love after loss, emotional vulnerability, self-discovery, relationships, intimacy, and personal liberation, Crave is a bold indie drama that refuses to shy away from the complexities of real human connection.
Deb Twiss opens up about the deeply personal inspirations behind Crave, including grief, healing, and navigating life after devastating loss. Together, Sean and Deb unpack how the film balances sensuality, emotional honesty, hope, and realism while also diving into the realities of independent filmmaking, guerrilla shooting techniques, music, cinematography, and character-driven storytelling.
If you love independent cinema, emotionally intelligent drama, behind-the-scenes filmmaking discussions, or films exploring mature relationships and emotional growth, this is an essential listen.

In This Episode
Deb Twiss discusses the inspiration behind Crave (2025)
The emotional themes of grief, healing, desire, and personal rebirth
Creating authentic adult relationships on screen
How music shapes the emotional identity of the film
Independent filmmaking and guerrilla production techniques
Shooting scenes using innovative low-budget filmmaking methods

About Crave (2025)
Crave follows Abigail, a woman struggling to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. As she forms a passionate and emotionally complex connection with her friend Max, the film explores themes of grief, emotional dependency, intimacy, healing, liberation, and rediscovering identity.
Set against the backdrop of New York City, Crave combines raw emotional honesty with stylish indie filmmaking to create a mature, thought-provoking drama about what it means to truly reconnect with yourself and others.

Why You Should Listen
This episode goes far beyond a standard film review. Sean and Deb Twiss explore:

The emotional realities behind storytelling
How personal experiences shape creative work
The changing landscape of independent cinema
The importance of authentic representation in relationships
Mental health, emotional growth, and vulnerability
How filmmakers can create visually stunning work on limited budgets
Whether you are a filmmaker, film fan, writer, actor, or simply someone interested in meaningful conversations about life, art, and emotional resilience, this episode offers genuine insight and inspiration.

Guest Details – Deb Twiss
Deb Twiss is a filmmaker, writer, actor, and creative artist behind the 2025 indie drama Crave.
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Crave on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt38068899/

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Stay connected with Review It Yourself for more film reviews, filmmaker interviews, TV discussions, pop culture conversations, and independent cinema coverage.

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High-altitude chaos, nitro explosions, and questionable climbing decisions collide
In this second part of Review It Yourself’s deep dive into Vertical Limit, Sean and Sarah push further up the mountain—and deeper into the madness. From explosive set pieces to surprisingly brutal injuries, this episode breaks down everything that makes this cult climbing thriller unforgettable… for better and worse.

Picking up where Part One left off, the conversation explores the film’s most intense sequences, including the deadly realities of high-altitude climbing, where your body is already failing long before the danger even begins . The hosts dive into the film’s logic (or lack of it), debating whether the action holds up or collapses under its own ambition—often hilariously.
Expect plenty of sharp observations and laughs as they unpack the film’s wild choices, from characters making questionable survival decisions to the sheer physical toll of climbing up… and especially down. There’s also discussion of memorable moments that stuck with them since childhood, including some genuinely grim scenes involving injury and survival .

By the end, Sean and Sarah reflect on whether Vertical Limit deserves its place as a cult favourite, or if it’s simply an over-the-top relic of early 2000s action cinema. Either way, it’s a film that sparks strong reactions—and makes for a highly entertaining review.

If you enjoy film reviews with honest opinions, humour, and zero pretension, this episode delivers exactly that.

🎧 What you’ll hear in this episode:
A breakdown of Vertical Limit’s most intense and ridiculous moments
Discussion of realism vs spectacle in extreme climbing films
Memorable (and painful) injury scenes and survival moments
Whether the film still holds up today
Tangents, laughs, and classic Review It Yourself banter

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Every bit of support helps the podcast grow and keeps new episodes coming.
Film Reviews Without the Faff—just honest opinions, debate, and a lot of fun.
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