Mental Floss

WORLD WAR II









Orson Welles seemingly met most of the 20th century's most famous figures, from Marilyn Monroe to Adolf Hitler.

In a talk show appearance in 1970, the famous filmmaker recalled how he found himself at a dinner party with the leader of the "minority party of nuts" known as the Nazis.

Jake Rossen








Benedict Cumberbatch in Sam Mendes's 1917 (2019).

It makes sense that master filmmakers keep returning to old wars to tell new stories, as war movies have all the elements needed for a compelling tale. From medieval epics to modern thrillers, here are 25 of the best of them.

Matthew Jackson








George Orwell.

George Orwell is best known for penning the dystopian novel 'Nineteen Eighty-Four'—regarded as one of the greatest classics of all time—but writing novels was only one small facet of his life and career.

Emily Petsko