The Incredible True Story of 'The Liberator' Soldiers in WWII 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 show was originally sold to History as an eight-episode, live-action miniseries, and got cut in half and switched to animation as a way to economize and live another day at Netflix. 5,339, This story has been shared 807 times. Give a Gift. 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.”. 578, This story has been shared 507 times. Netflix's The Liberator is about WWII. Netflix's "The Liberator," adapted from a 2012 book by Alex Kershaw, tells the story of Colorado World War II hero Felix Sparks. With Bradley James, Martin Sensmeier, Jose Miguel Vasquez, Billy Breed. ('The Liberator'/Netflix) Netflix dropped a teaser trailer last week to its upcoming animated World War II series “The Liberator” — and it looks incredible. 'Wheel of Fortune' Fans Protest Contestant's Loss Because of "The Dumbest Rule Ever", 'The Witcher' Season 2: Cast, Premiere Date, and More. It is based on the book The Liberator: One World War II Soldier’s 500-Day Odyssey by Alex Kershaw. Based on true events. What Shows Will It Remind You Of? Get the best of Smithsonian magazine by email. Will There Be Another 'Godzilla' Movie After 'Godzilla vs Kong'. In July 1943, The Thunderbirds arrive in Sicily after training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Bill and become a lawyer, eventually serving as a Colorado Supreme Court Justice. A few fathers and sons fought together in World War II just like Pap and Junior in the Netflix series. 507, This story has been shared 444 times. California Do Not Sell My Info It was at Dachau that Sparks, then a lieutenant colonel, truly became a legend to the troops. Barfoot did a lot that day.”. 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, Dolphins Spotted in Venice's Grand Canal—for Real This Time, This High Schooler Invented Color-Changing Sutures to Detect Infection, Thanks to a Genetic Mutation, These French Rabbits Prefer Handstands to Bunny Hops, A Very Angry Octopus Goes Viral After Lashing Out at an Australian Tourist, Listening to Nature Gives You a Real Rocky Mountain High, Why U.S. Approval of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine Is Taking So Long. “He was in the open,” Prestia 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. He became an advocate for civil rights and spoke out frequently against racism of any kind. The 45th Infantry Division guardsmen saw no major action until they became one of the first National Guard units activated in World War II in 1941. J.D. And the animation style gives the story a life that seeing in regular live-action wouldn’t. This story has been shared 5,339 times. In 1940, the "Thunderbird" division was reactivated and deployed in late June 1943 to North Africa. 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