Shows / Verbal Diorama
Verbal Diorama
The award-winning indie film history podcast celebrating the history and legacy of movies you know, and movies you don't. Have you ever wondered how your favourite movies were made? Hosted by Em, Verbal Diorama is a movie podcast that takes you behind the scenes to discover the extraordinary stories of cast and crew who bring classic films, blockbuster films, and cult films to life. Movies are tough to make, and this podcast proves how amazing it is that they actually exist. From Hollywood…
Episodes
Verbal DioramaMr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)
When we think of movies with Hollywood defining legacies, Mr. & Mrs. Smith wouldn't be the first that springs to mind. A fun, comedic mid-2000s action flick…
Verbal DioramaTombstone (1993)
What happens when Hollywood egos, sabotage campaigns, and directorial chaos collide in the Arizona desert? Tombstone is a film that survived one of the most…
Verbal DioramaCutthroat Island
Cutthroat Island has quite the reputation. It's known as the infamous pirate flick that sank a studio, as well as the entire pirate genre, but that's not…
Verbal DioramaLake Placid
In 1999, Stan Winston Studios and Digital Domain joined forces to create one of cinema's most convincing monsters - the massive crocodile from "Lake Placid."…
Verbal DioramaAnaconda (1997)
In 1997, Anaconda slithered into cinemas with a secret: every second of computer-generated snake footage cost $100,000 to create. This wasn't just another…
Verbal DioramaThe Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim & The legacy of The Lord of the Rings [Part 5 of 5]
The final of five special episodes to celebrate this podcast's 300th episode, focused on J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings, this episode goes…
Verbal DioramaThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King [Part 4 of 5]
In the fourth of five special episodes to celebrate this podcast's 300th episode, focused on J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings, and we're…
Verbal DioramaThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers [Part 3 of 5]
In the third of five special episodes to celebrate this podcast's 300th episode, focused on J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings, this episode…
Verbal DioramaThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring [Part 2 of 5]
In the second of five special episodes to celebrate this podcast's 300th episode, focused on J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings, Ralph…
Verbal DioramaThe history of The Lord of the Rings & The Lord of the Rings (1978) [Part 1 of 5]
In the first of five special episodes to celebrate this podcast's 300th episode, focused on J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings, this episode…
Verbal DioramaFlash Gordon (1980)
Pathetic Earthlings, who can save you now? Well, there might be one guy... Flash Gordon has been on our screens for almost 90 years, and the story of the…
Verbal DioramaSister Act
Hail, holy Queen enthroned above; O Maria! Hail, mother of mercy and of love, O Maria! Triumph, all ye cherubim. Sing with us, ye seraphim! Heav'n and earth…
Verbal DioramaSonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Sonic’s journey from video game to blockbuster film should have been straightforward. From Sega’s fierce rivalry with Nintendo, to the chaotic path of bringing…
Verbal DioramaI, Tonya
Tonya Harding's story highlights the struggles of being an underdog in a highly elitist sport like figure skating, where social status can overshadow talent…
Verbal DioramaErin Brockovich
Erin Brockovich proves that sometimes the biggest heroes come in the most unexpected packages, like a single mum with a penchant for swearing and a relentless…
Verbal DioramaElizabeth (1998)
Queen Elizabeth I was a formidable leader who defied the norms of her time, cleverly balancing the expectations placed upon her as a woman with her ambitions…
Verbal DioramaThe Woman King
This month on Verbal Diorama, we celebrate Women’s History Month, and it’s the perfect time to highlight the Agojie; fierce African warriors of the kingdom of…
Verbal DioramaAtlantis: The Lost Empire
This podcast is now six! And to celebrate, some post-Renaissance Disney. If Atlantis really existed, no one wrote about it until Plato, who did so 9,000 years…
Verbal DioramaHercules (1997)
This podcast is now six! And to celebrate, some Renaissance Disney. The story of Heracles is revered across Greek mythology, but this isn't Heracles. This is…
Verbal Diorama(Basil) The Great Mouse Detective
This podcast is now six! And to celebrate - some pre-Renaissance Disney. Basil may just be a little mouse, but this little mouse packed a mighty punch for…
Verbal DioramaShrek 2
Shrek and Fiona, fresh off their 'happily ever after', are invited to a Royal Ball in celebration of their marriage. It's being held, far far away in the…
Verbal DioramaThe Simpsons Movie (2007)
In 1992, US President George H.W. Bush famously remarked, during a speech at the Annual Convention of the National Religious Broadcasters, that the American…
Verbal DioramaParaNorman
Speaking of a family with gifts, young Norman Babcock happens to be able to speak to the dead, making him a social outcast to humans, but also probably the…
Verbal DioramaEncanto
Welcome to The Family Madrigal, and the Surface Pressure hiding underneath the perfect façade of a magical family with wonderful gifts - everyone except…
Verbal DioramaTurning Red
There's Nobody Like U, Turning Red. Turning Red is a ground-breaking animated film, rightfully kicking off Animation Season 2025 in style, with magical puberty…
Verbal DioramaElf
Before we learn how all about the history and legacy of a modern Christmas classic, let's recite the "Code of the Elves," shall we? Number one; "Treat every…
Verbal DioramaHow the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Looks like you've found yourself on Santa's Naughty List! How the Grinch Stole Christmas isn't just a beloved holiday classic; it’s a deep dive into the…
Verbal DioramaLethal Weapon (1987)
Perennial Christmas classic Lethal Weapon redefined the buddy cop genre with its festive setting, unique characters and the undisputed chemistry between Mel…
Verbal DioramaDungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Before I begin, I notice that Chancellor Jarnathan is not present...? I'm back from an extended break, deciding to do an episode on Dungeons & Dragons, and its…
Verbal DioramaHalloween (1978)
Halloween has a complex and multifaceted legacy, intertwining themes of fear, adolescence, and societal commentary. The exploration of the concept of the…
Verbal DioramaFriday the 13th (1980)
There's a curse at Camp Crystal Lake. It's going to be a Long Night at Camp Blood. Except that didn't turn out to be the title of this movie. The original…
Verbal DioramaA Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
40 years ago, slashers took a terrifying turn, when Wes Craven suggested that we could not only be haunted by our nightmares, but also die from the creatures…
Verbal DioramaChild's Play (1988)
Horror icon Chucky was originally created by UCLA student Don Mancini, evolving from a script originally titled 'Batteries Not Included' which then became…
Verbal DioramaBill & Ted Face the Music
Bill & Ted creators Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson, along with stars Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves, always assumed Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey would be the last…
Verbal DioramaSpider-Man 3 (2007)
Verbal Diorama: It’s hip, it’s now, it’s wow and how?! After the huge success of both Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, Sam Raimi wanted to finish his Spider-Man…
Verbal DioramaBatman Forever
Batman Forever, for all its neon grandiose spectacle, was purely created as the anthesis to Batman Returns. While retrospectively, Batman Returns is seen as…
Verbal DioramaJurassic Park III
After Steven Spielberg took the reins for both Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic World, it was time for some fresh meat for Jurassic Park III, which…
Verbal DioramaSnowpiercer (설국열차) (2013)
Bong Joon-ho’s dedication to making Snowpiercer, and making it his way, is as always a true testament to his greatness as a director, and a visionary director…
Verbal DioramaPrey (2022)
Hollywood cinema has often featured Native American men in Westerns as brutal, hypermasculine barbarian warriors, and Native American women as hyper-sexualised…
Verbal DioramaPredator (1987)
From the depths of the Mexican jungle, an elite team of special forces are sent in to rescue hostages, but unbeknownst to them, they're the ones who are being…
Verbal DioramaStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is beloved by fans of the franchise, and lauded as the best Star Trek movie, with Khan himself as one of the standout villains…
Verbal DioramaZoolander
Starting life as a skit for the VH1 Fashion awards, Derek Zoolander would become an international sensation, and be vying for his fourth consecutive VH1 Male…
Verbal DioramaCloverfield
Cloverfield, or one of its many other names, was greenlit in a shroud of secrecy, and that secrecy continued throughout production. Actors were auditioned…
Verbal DioramaThe Bourne Identity (2002)
Remember when action movie heroes didn’t have to think and just beat up a load of bad guys? Jason Bourne heralded the change when The Bourne Identity came out…
Verbal DioramaIndependence Day
Roland Emmerich is not known for being an auteur director, but he is known for his disaster movies; the most defining and well-known of which is Independence…
Verbal DioramaSuper Mario Bros. (1993)
Last year, Super Mario Bros celebrated its 30th anniversary. It was a fairly muted celebration, but its acknowledgement for the most part came with the release…
Verbal DioramaBowfinger
As a movie about movie making, Bowfinger leaves no stone unturned in its ruthless attempt to expose filmmaking in Hollywood, and just like this podcast, how…
Verbal DioramaStar Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Star Trek ran for three seasons on NBC before being cancelled in 1969 due to low ratings. It was after this that the show went into syndication, that its…
Verbal DioramaKnives Out
After finishing Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, director Rian Johnson had a brief window of opportunity to make another movie, and decided to go back to…
Verbal DioramaWest Side Story (1961) & West Side Story (2021)
West Side Story's origins as a Tony award-winning stage musical based on Romeo and Juliet meant it was ripe for a film adaptation. Stage director and…
Verbal DioramaThe Italian Job (1969) & The Italian Job (2003)
The Italian Job (1969) is the epitome of what would become Cool Britannia. It celebrates its 55th anniversary this year, and has lost none of its Britishness…
Verbal DioramaDawn of the Dead (1978) & Dawn of the Dead (2004)
After Night of the Living Dead, George Romero branched out, not wanting to be typecast as a zombie movie director. It was a tour of the Monroeville Mall that…
Verbal DioramaClash of the Titans (1981) & Clash of the Titans (2010)
Release the Kraken! Twice! Clash of the Titans had been an idea since the late 1950s, with writer Beverley Cross writing a treatment in 1969 called Perseus and…
Verbal DioramaThe Flintstones (1994)
64 years ago, The Flintstones became the first ever animated prime time sitcom in the US, and 30 years ago, the live-action film was released. A live action…
Verbal DioramaShakespeare in Love
The history and legacy of Shakespeare in Love is long-winded and complicated, but how is it that a movie can be wholly and completely tarnished by one man? I…
Verbal DioramaVan Helsing (2004)
After making The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, Stephen Sommers wanted to make a small movie; no monsters, no action, no visual effects, just something simple…
Verbal DioramaBack to the Future
Great Scott, it’s the 250th episode! Where we’re going, we don’t need roads, and if my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're…
Verbal DioramaLara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) & Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life (2003)
In 1993, before they were acquired by Eidos, a little games developer in Derby called Core Design were working on their new action adventure game. It was an…
Verbal DioramaFighting with My Family
Sport biopics are usually only reserved for well known big-name sportspeople from yesteryear - people like Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, James Hunt and Niki…
Verbal DioramaA Quiet Place
For Women's History Month and Mother's Day, here in the UK, silence is deafening for a spec script written in an unconventional way, that happened to get…