Episode 6
How Accurate is Forrest Gump?
In the mid 1980s, author Winston Groom published a story which would, thanks to its Oscar-winning Hollywood adaptation, come to be a quintessential American tale.
Forrest Gump's life zigzags around some of the most important moments in 20th century American history. But where's the line between fact and fiction?
In this episode we dive into a modern classic and do a bit of fact-checking to answer the question... how accurate is Forrest Gump?
Joining me from the faculty today is Jon Mitchell, an Associate Professor of American Studies at the University of East Anglia. He is interested in late 20th Century US culture, with a particular interest in the representation of gender and sexuality.
Additional Resources:
BOOK: Forrest Gump (1986) by Winston Groom
MOVIE: Forrest Gump (1994)
If you enjoy this episode, you might also like:
What Makes Country Music so American?
Are the Oscars Still Relevant?
Why Does Everyone Love Disney?
Thank you for listening to our podcast. It's a labor of love by an American history nerd and some smarter folk. Making it does come at a small cost so if you'd like to help you can:
Your support helps us keep the show running, and it is highly appreciated!
Are you a University, college or HE institution? Become an official academic partner of the show now: CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
