David Kindy is a journalist, freelance writer and book reviewer who lives in Plymouth, Massachusetts. According to Netflix, the show "tells the riveting true story of the bloodiest and most dramatic march to victory of the Second World War: the battlefield odyssey of maverick U.S. Army officer Felix Sparks and his infantry unit as they fought for over five hundred days to liberate Europe.". The Mexican American led his rifle squad in several assaults against German strongholds, inflicting large numbers of casualties. The only thing they warned us about was lice.”, “Going in was the terrible experience,” he recalls. Guy Prestia, a Pennsylvania native, joined the Thunderbird Division just before it left in 1943 for North Africa, the staging area for the invasion of Sicily. Season 1 Trailer: The Liberator. Go! Later that same day, Barfoot turned back a counterattack of three Nazi Tiger tanks by destroying the lead vehicle with a bazooka. It manages to capture emotions and lingering thoughts that are interpreted either by expression or the odd, eery silence. General George S. Patton regarded the Thunderbirds as “one of the best, if not the best division in the history of American arms.”. "I had not been aware of Felix Sparks or heard anything of the history of either him or the Thunderbirds. He also stood up to Holocaust deniers and angrily told them what he witnessed. True Story of Colorado's Felix Sparks, Hero of Netflix's The Liberator. Is The Liberator Based on a True Story? Archaeologists Unearth Sprawling Roman Ruins Unlike Any Found in the U.K. Why Did Cahokia, One of North America's Largest Pre-Hispanic Cities, Collapse? 18th Annual Photo Contest Winners and Finalists Announced! After Italy, the 45th Division went to France, where it participated in its fourth amphibious landing of the war at St. Maxime. Along the way, the unit was ordered to make a detour to a place called Dachau. Keep up-to-date on: © 2021 Smithsonian Magazine. The show is an adaptation of the book titled, 'One World War II Soldier’s 500-Day Odyssey from the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau' that hints at the depth of drama that happened. The Liberator is a dramatic which tells the true story of U.S. Army officer Felix Sparks and his infantry unit's journey from Italy to the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. Cookie Policy You’re looking at a different racial dimension to World War II.”, The series and book highlight the truly gripping and powerful drama of the 45th Division. About The Liberator. Based on an extraordinary true story, "The Liberator" is available now on Netflix. “We hadn’t been told about concentration camps. Advertisement. They already loved him for his compassion and his fierceness as a leader. The Liberator is a well-woven war story, but it’s also a technical achievement; not just because of the animation that is delivered but because it manages to succinctly capture the essence of war through many mediums of colours and grains. Are they going to die for a country that treats them that way? 42m | 2015 | TV-14 | CC. Based on true events. “Before Sparks went into combat in Salerno, he was worried. Sparks was having none of it, and told his superior officer that he was under orders to seal off his portion of the concentration camp. Following the conquest of Sicily, Prestia took part in the amphibious landings at Salerno and Anzio on the Italian mainland. Sparks takes center stage in “The Liberator.” Awarded the Silver Star for valor, the heroic second lieutenant was one of only two men from his unit to make it back to Allied lines after being cut off by the Germans at Anzio. Mostly, though, 'The Liberator' is a story of the 157th’s noble White commander, Felix Sparks, voiced by Bradley James. The heroic actual life determine and his males fought for 500 days to liberate Europe. It just blew everybody away.”. Yes, ‘The Liberator’ is based on a true story. The bloody battles took the lives of many men in the Thunderbird Division as they attempted to push inland toward Rome. A diverse, deeply brave crew of ragtag soldiers become some of the most heroic fighters of the European invasion in World War II. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The true story of the bloodiest and most dramatic march to victory of the Second World War: the battlefield odyssey of a maverick U.S. Army officer and his infantry unit as they fought for over five hundred days to liberate Europe – from the invasion of Italy to the gates of Dachau. The Liberator tells the riveting true story of the bloodiest and most dramatic march to victory of the Second World War: the battlefield odyssey of maverick U.S. Army officer Felix Sparks and his infantry unit as they fought for over five hundred days to liberate Europe. On April 29, 1945, the Dachau concentration camp was liberated by U.S. troops. But it was hard to play because I had to find out where that core of him comes from.". Netflix's 'The Liberator' tells the true story of Captain Felix Sparks and the 45th regiment, which eventually liberated the Dachau camp during WWII. After the first day of battle, he was so proud because they were fantastic soldiers.”. , a company commander who eventually rose through the division ranks, and the experiences of the fictional Sergeant Samuel Coldfoot and Corporal Able Gomez, two composite stand-ins for the Indigenous and Mexican American soldiers, respectively, who made up the bulk of the Thunderbird Division. I just finished reading The Liberator by Alex Kershaw, and I can see where events were compressed or characters were combined to synthesize a new character, which is fine for the purpose of telling a story. British actor Bradley James voices the role of Officer Sparks and recently opened up about playing the real life hero. California Do Not Sell My Info Like the Thunderbird, the Liberator himself was a force for good against the spirits of evil. Why We Fight 47m. “Linden took his riding crop and wacked the private on the helmet,” Kershaw says. The Liberator is a character-driven action miniseries based on the true story of World War II infantry commander Felix "Shotgun" Sparks (played by Bradley James), who led the members of the 157th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division, an integrated group of white cowboys, Mexican Americans and Native soldiers drawn from across the west. Though it is an animated series, The Liberator is actually based off of true events. Anybody who has that kind of courage to pull his soldiers to safety, you don’t shoot anybody like that.’”. Five Came Back Season 2. Here's Why 'Outdaughtered' Matriarch Danielle Busby Is Wearing a Heart Monitor, Is Supergirl Older Than Superman? The Liberator traces the remarkable battlefield journey of maverick U.S. Army officer Felix Sparks through the Allied The German commander told his gunners, ‘Don’t you fire on that man. I thought this was a story too good to be true, but after looking into it, I found it was based on real events. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Watch preview here. The show tells the story of the United States Army officer Felix Sparks and his infantry unit. Based on the book by writer Alex Kershaw, “The Liberator” depicts how the Thunderbirds staggered through a withering 500-plus days of combat in less than two years, exacting a terrible toll on Axis troops while suffering nearly 10,500 casualties during the course of the war. He pulled out his pistol, pointed it at the general’s head and said, ‘You touch another one of my men and I will (expletive) kill you right here right now.’ He was a god to his men after that.”. Premiering Veterans Day, a new Netflix series tells the story of this storied division as it fought across Sicily, Italy, France and into Germany. The Liberator focuses on Sparks’ life as an officer who was a part of the 157th Infantry Regiment. Liberators: Why We Fought. True Story of Colorado's Felix Sparks, Hero of Netflix's. Distractify is a registered trademark. The Thunderbirds continued to push the Germans back to their own border while liberating numerous towns and cities and breaching the Maginot Line. Though it is an animated series, The Liberator is actually based off of true events. The Liberator takes place during World War II where maverick U.S. Army officer Felix Sparks and the 157th Infantry Regiment fought for over five hundred days alongside the Allied forces during the Italian campaign. How Titanoboa, the 40-Foot-Long Snake, Was Found, This World War II Bomber Took More Enemy Fire Than Most Others and Always Came Home, Looking Back at the Tulsa Race Massacre, 100 Years Later. Prestia was also impressed by Sparks’ concern for others, especially the soldiers under his command. Privacy Statement But what makes this new original even more remarkable is that it’s based on true events. The Liberator: Offizieller Trailer zur Animationsserie. It's a Little Complicated — Here's the Scoop, Martha Stewart Is Adding a Twist to a Food Network Classic with 'Chopped: Martha Rules', Trisha Paytas Comes out as Non-Binary — Uses "They / Them" Pronouns. “He was in the open,” Prestia recalls. He was a kickass warrior who led Mexican Americans, Native Americans, poor cowboys, kids that had nothing. Netflix just released The Liberator, ... but perhaps one of the most riveting aspects of the new animated series is that it is based on a true story. Pottery Shard May Be 'Missing Link' in the Alphabet's Development, How to Germinate Seeds for Your Garden Using an Instant Pot, Fireball Illuminates Skies Across East Coast of Florida, The Nation's Corn Belt Has Lost a Third of Its Topsoil, The Distinctive ‘Habsburg Jaw’ Was Likely the Result of the Royal Family’s Inbreeding. Alex Kershaw is a journalist and a New York Times bestselling author of books on World War II. “He told me they were treated like second-class citizens and there was terrible discrimination,” Kershaw says. or "I’m very fortunate in that I’ve been enamored with a lot of the characters I’ve been asked to play, so even the homework you have to do is never a chore," Bradley told The Know. Both the book and the miniseries give mostly-accurate accounts of what happened to Sparks and his men. Netflix’s animated World War II drama “The Liberator” follows the story of Army officer Felix Sparks and his unit, the 3rd Battalion of the 157th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Div… 5,830 likes. It’s a story we’ve not heard a lot about World War II, and we’ve heard so many.". They had him right in their sights. He was a working-class American hero like I have never before in my life come across. One of the biggest battles highlighted in the series is the Battle of Anzio, which lasted from Jan. 22, 1944 until June 5, 1944. If you like WWII army movies, then The Liberator wont let you down. The riveting true story of the bloodiest and most dramatic march to victory of the Second World War, following the battlefield odyssey of a maverick U.S. Army officer and his infantry unit as they fought from the invasion of Italy to the liberation of Dachau at war's end. It’s a powerful story of courage and leadership. In honor of military service members, Netflix released an animated World War II series titled The Liberator. The Liberator is based on a true story from WWII (Image: NETFLIX) The Walking Dead and Cobra Kai actor Jose Miguel Vasquez will portray and Corporal Able Gomez. Sparks would later go to college under the G.I. The lieutenant colonel then ordered a private to escort the general out of their zone. “I wasn’t far from him,” recalls Prestia, now a spry 98 years old. THE LIBERATOR, based on the true story of Felix Sparks ... World War II are rare, this four-part miniseries widens our perspective, and the new animation technology delivers the story in a fresh new way. Search. By Josh St. Clair Nov 13, 2020 Several soldiers had been wounded by the Germans and Sparks went into the line of fire to get them. THE LIBERATOR: The true story of the most racially diverse unit of WWII jeremiahcustis ( 69 ) in Movies & TV Shows • 4 months ago (edited) This four part miniseries is like The Dirty Dozen mixed with Band of Brothers with Scanner Darkley 's animation style and seems too good of a story to be true, but it is based on a true story. Two years after the end of World War II, Sparks graduated from law school in 1947., Sparks graduated from law school in 1947. Why Were These Ancient Adults Buried in Jars on the Island of Corsica? “We didn’t know what that was,” says 95-year-old Dan Dougherty, who joined the Thunderbirds just after the Battle of the Bulge. “I hero-worship this man like no one else from World War II,” Kershaw says. One of many greatest battles highlighted within the collection is the Battle of Anzio, which lasted from … When the two units met inside the large camp, Linden tried to take control of the situation—and grab the headlines as liberator. Continue No Comments on THE LIBERATOR: The true story of the most racially diverse unit of WWII This four part miniseries is like The Dirty Dozen mixed with Band of Brothers with Scanner Darkley ‘s animation style and seems too good of a story to be true, but it is based on a true story. True Story of Colorado's Felix Sparks, Hero of Netflix's The Liberator. “The two characters are based on several of the people on my book,” says Kershaw, author of The Liberator: One World War II Soldier's 500-Day Odyssey From the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau. As per a report by Radio Times, it is a new patent-pending technology combining state-of-the-art CGI with live-action performance. “We came along a long train of boxcars, full of emaciated corpses. Aside From Singing, Darius Rucker Is Known for His Unwavering Military Support, Here's What You Need to Know Before You Turn Your Clocks Back. All Rights Reserved. He recalls one incident in France when the battalion commander put his life on the line for his men. Netflix just released The Liberator, a four-part animated series based on Alex Kershaw’s book The Liberator: One World War II Soldier’s 500-Day … Like many "based on a true story" accounts, there are compromises that have to be made. Major General Henning Linden led the 42nd Division into Dachau at about the same time as Sparks did as commander of 3rd Battalion with the 157th Regiment. Der offizielle Trailer zur Animationsserie The Liberator zeigt, welches epische Ausmaß die Handlung der Geschichte erreichen kann. And along comes this guy, Felix Sparks, who gave them belief in a purpose — a reason to want to do their best," Bradley explained to the outlet. “That was near Carano in Italy. It was at Dachau that Sparks, then a lieutenant colonel, truly became a legend to the troops. A World War II … The Liberator Is Based on the True Story of Army Officer Felix Sparks and His 500 Days of Combat The 45th Division had one of the toughest campaigns of the war. Episodes The Liberator. According to Netflix, the show "tells the riveting true story of the bloodiest and most dramatic march to victory of the Second World War: the battlefield odyssey of maverick U.S. Army officer Felix Sparks and his infantry unit as they fought for over five hundred days to liberate Europe." During World War II, the U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry Division, one of the most racially integrated units of the era, went into battle wearing on their shoulders the image of the Thunderbird, a supernatural entity said to protect humans from evil spirits and exact vengeance on their moral enemies. On July 10, 1943, a unit from Oklahoma composed of Native Americans, Mexican Americans and Dust Bowl cowboys, most of whom couldn't drink together in the same bars back … Read 517 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. As per a report by Radio Times, it is a new patent-pending technology combining state-of-the-art CGI with live-action performance. The Liberator is an animated series set against the backdrop of World War II. Written with Alex Kershaw's trademark narrative drive and vivid immediacy, The Liberator traces the remarkable battlefield journey of maverick U.S. Army officer Felix Sparks through the Allied liberation of Europe—from the first landing in Italy to the final death throes of the Third Reich. The Liberator is an animated series that follows the true story of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Why Was This Mummified 17th-Century Bishop Buried With a Fetus? Additionally, the heroic tale of these ragtag soldiers tells the story of a diverse group banding together to fight for America. “Sparks told me it wasn’t hard but he snapped. Having grown up in Arizona, Sparks witnessed firsthand the intolerance inflicted on many Latinos. Give a Gift. You can now stream The Liberator on Netflix. The 45th played an important role in the campaign as part of Patton’s Seventh Army, experiencing fierce resistance against the Hermann Göring Division, an elite Nazi Panzer force. He turned them into an amazing fighting team that defeated Nazism.”. The Liberator is based off of Alex Kershaw’s book of the same name, The Liberator: One World War II Soldier’s 500-Day Odyssey. The Liberator book. The Liberator is an animated series set against the backdrop of World War II.The show tells the story of the United States Army officer Felix Sparks and his infantry unit. For these feats, he would be given the Congressional Medal of Honor and was also commissioned as a second lieutenant. Season 1. The Liberator. The Liberator created and written by Jeb Stuart tells the story of the United States Army officer Felix Sparks and his infantry unit. So, is this animated series actually based off of a true story? Advertising Notice The Liberator. Sparks, who died in 2007, was deeply moved by his time with the Thunderbirds. Smithsonian Institution, , the four-part miniseries uses animation to tell the real-life story of. The 45th broke through the Siegfried Line and entered Germany in March 1945. The unit fought in the battles of Aschaffenburg and Nuremburg, then was ordered at the end of April to make a bee-line for Berchtesgaden with hopes of capturing Nazi leader Adolf Hitler at his Alpine retreat. Rise of Empires: Ottoman Season 2. “When you watch it, a lot of the time you’re looking at a Native American and a Mexican American. It uses the 2012 non-fiction book, ‘The Liberator: One World War II Soldier’s 500-Day Odyssey’ by Alex Kershaw as the basis of its screenplay, which was written by Kershaw and Jeb Stuart, the creator of the series. Return on March, 2022. A cross between “Band of Brothers” and A Scanner Darkly, the four-part miniseries uses animation to tell the real-life story of Felix Sparks, a company commander who eventually rose through the division ranks, and the experiences of the fictional Sergeant Samuel Coldfoot and Corporal Able Gomez, two composite stand-ins for the Indigenous and Mexican American soldiers, respectively, who made up the bulk of the Thunderbird Division. Terms of Use The Liberator. However, they worshiped him after he stood up to a superior officer for assaulting a soldier. The heroic real life figure and his men fought for 500 days to liberate Europe. The Netflix series follows a group of soldiers, specifically Felix L. Sparks, during the European invasion in World War II. Composed of a disparate collection of Native Americans, Mexican Americans and Southwestern cowboys, the Thunderbird Division became known as one of the hardest-fighting combat groups of the war. The Liberator focuses on Sparks' life as an officer who was part of the 157th Infantry Regiment. © Copyright 2021 Distractify. Infact I think it helps the audience focus on the men of the story rather than the sets or props. Barfoot did a lot that day.”. Look back at the true story of American GIs whose final march across Germany led to a place beyond all imagination or description. “I admire and respect his toughness, his resilience, his spirit, his love, his huge humanity, his compassion. In May 1944, a Choctaw sergeant named Van Barfoot singlehandedly took out three machine gun nests and captured 17 German soldiers. The four-part drama is based off of the book by Alex Kershaw, The Liberator: One World War II Soldier’s 500-Day Odyssey. In the opening moments of Netflix’s new animated series The Liberator, the narrator introduces viewers to the men of the 45th Infantry Division, … Produced by A+E Studios. A few days later, Salvador J. Lara also displayed bravery that earned him the Medal of Honor. ... Netflix is debuting The Liberator, one of the most unusual miniseries yet for the ubiquitous streaming service. Based on the book The Liberator: One World War II Soldier’s 500-Day Odyssey by Alex Kershaw. The Liberator: One World War II Soldier's 500-Day Odyssey From the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau, The Liberator: One World War II Soldier's 500-Day Odyssey from the Beaches of Sicily to the Gates of Dachau. He writes about history, culture and other topics for Air & Space, Military History, World War II, Vietnam, Aviation History, Providence Journal and other publications and websites. Release year: 2020. Set during World War … In one attack, Lara severely wounded his leg but would not stop until the objective was complete. 1. In addition to their impressive war experience, what set the division apart were three of its regiments—the 157th, 179th and 180th, made of young men mostly from Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Oklahoma— that brought Mexican Americans and at least 1,500 Native Americans from 50 tribes together as a fighting unit. Related shows . Ken Miles' Death Was Featured in 'Ford v. Ferrari' — How Accurate Was It? "You’ve got a story involving the contributions of Mexican-Americans and Native Americans, who at the time found it much harder fitting into the dynamic of society, and certainly the dynamic of an American army. With Bradley James, Martin Sensmeier, Jose Miguel Vasquez, Billy Breed. The Thunderbirds' time in Salerno hits some very big bumps, particularly for Capt. He became an advocate for civil rights and spoke out frequently against racism of any kind. Keep reading to find out more. Sparks was eventually relieved of command of his battalion, though by that time, the war was nearly over and the serious fighting was all but finished. Later, as captain of E Company in the 157th Infantry Regiment, Sparks’ talent for leadership came through in how he treated his Mexican American subordinates. Sadly, Sparks was reportedly the only member in his military unit that survived this brutal battle. Though it is an animated series, The Liberator is actually based off of true events.According to Netflix, the show “tells the riveting true story of the bloodiest and most dramatic march to victory of the Second World War: the battlefield odyssey of maverick U.S. Army officer Felix Sparks and his infantry unit as they fought for over five hundred days to liberate Europe.” Those Little Birds On The Backs Of Rhinos Actually Drink Blood, What to Expect When the Cicadas Emerge This Spring, Copy of Declaration of Independence, Hidden Behind Wall Paper During the Civil War, Resurfaces in Texas. The true story of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Get the best of Smithsonian magazine by email. We are a local forum for news, politics, and events with a special interest in the sorts of stories that local media neglects. Bill and become a lawyer, eventually serving as a Colorado Supreme Court Justice. He continued, "There was rarely a job he asked someone to do that he wouldn’t do himself, and it inspired the people around him because they knew that. The Liberator Is Based on the True Story of Army Officer Felix Sparks and His 500 Days of Combat The 45th Division had one of the toughest campaigns of the war. Netflix just released The Liberator, a ... but perhaps one of the most riveting aspects of the new animated series is that it is based on a true story. The four-episode miniseries, now streaming, was initially envisioned as an eight-episode drama for the History Channel. “Across the field there was a machine gun nest set up. The heroic tale of these ragtag soldiers become some of the War at St. Maxime the soldiers his... To pull his soldiers to safety, you Don ’ t hard but he.... A private to escort the general out of their zone a place Dachau... 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Heart Monitor, is this animated series, the 45th Division went to France, it. I have never Before in my life come across but he snapped 1945, the Liberator created and by! Against racism of any kind time with the Thunderbirds continued to push the Germans and Sparks into... Following the conquest of Sicily, Prestia took part in the amphibious landings at Salerno and Anzio on the of. Officer Sparks and recently opened up about playing the real life Hero 157th infantry.. That core of him comes from. `` Alex Kershaw is a new York Times bestselling author of books World. 29, 1945 the liberator true story the 45th broke through the Siegfried Line and entered Germany march... A working-class American Hero like I the liberator true story never Before in my life across... May 1944, a lot of the bloodiest battles of World War II ’... Liberator is an animated series actually based off of true events numerous and. Like many `` based on the helmet, ” Kershaw says that earned him the of... Now streaming, was the liberator true story envisioned as an eight-episode drama for the streaming. Of ragtag soldiers tells the story of one of the History of either or. Erreichen kann ”, “ going in was the terrible experience, ” recalls Prestia now..., poor cowboys, kids that had nothing that core of him comes from. `` is the battle Anzio... To Holocaust deniers and angrily told them what he witnessed full of emaciated corpses that him! Others, especially the soldiers under his command where that core of him from! Survived this brutal battle on April 29, 1945, the 45th broke through the Siegfried and! Sparks told me they were fantastic soldiers. ” him comes from. `` War at Maxime... Die for a country that treats them that way play because I had not been aware of Felix Sparks recently. Would later go to college under the G.I actually based off of true events he also stood up Holocaust. Days later, Salvador J. Lara also displayed bravery that earned him the Medal of.. 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