Izzard on World War 2

[@steveconkey7362]

"Do you have a flag"? My favorite line of his ever.

[@tomtom1224able]

I never get tired of this guy. History and comedy are a good mixture

[@thegimprevolt]

Wow, that was fabulous. Eddie Izzard is most definitely one of the top 10 best comedians of the 90s through to now. He's just effortlessly funny - you don't even have to be a 'learned' person to enjoy his comedy; it's just off-the-wall, zany brilliance.

[@ianw5663]

Eddie dropping all that Risk strategy took me back to being a kid and figuring out at like age 10 to start in Australia. Love it!

[@joshdoyle182]

... Slowly but surely the creatures of the red world strategized and plotted ... I can't remember the precise wording of the war of the worlds, but it's an allegory about the inevitable triumph of Emus.

[@missrachael1709]

Who'd have thunk a history lesson could be so all round entertaining.....thank you!

[@ladymantis]

I love the Napoleon meets the Russian front joke! "Ooh! It's a bit cold!"

[@Alcagaur1]

"Do you have a flag?" The greatest, most concise summary of British Imperialist thinking ever.

[@sugarshock7925]

Just discovered that guy today. After 10 video clips I can tell you, I haven't laughed that hard since a long time xD

[@robind700]

+RetroRaver Did you see STAR WARS CANTINA? A favorite with my entire family!

[@sugarshock7925]

+robin d. Yeah I have, I saw all of them on youtube xD

[@robind700]

+RetroRaver When my family visited, we watched Eddie so much that my 8-yr old niece began to speak in a British accent. Though that was a couple of years ago, she occasionally texts me "Cake or death?" Another one that had us rolling is GEORGE LOPEZ WHY ARE YOU CRYING?

[@rbraley7183]

+RetroRaver Love that this is still popular with people, classic!!

[@milliealderman7140]

+RetroRaver I remember the day I discovered him too. It's a special day. :)

[@LappyMc]

"After a couple of years, we won't stand for that, will we?"

[@somegirl558]

We might..

[@JRockySchmidt]

Man I sure hope not

[@thevideogamenerd100]

Best history lesson on WW2 ever

[@surferpam1]

thevideogamenerd100 I know, right?

[@DrProfSlugger]

I died when he was talking about Britain hiding the countries behind their back

[@upturnedblousecollar5811]

@Surveillance devices in my home He*

[@sammccann8099]

@@upturnedblousecollar5811 They*

[@ra3y000]

@@sammccann8099 It

[@Ryan_Gutz]

he's so intelligent and so laid back with his comedy. it's really fun to see him just be effortlessly awesome. thanks for posting this.

[@vanessahenry7238]

I always thought he would make a great college professor!

[@beno19900]

"Hitler never played Risk when he was a kid..." LMFAO. Eddie Izzard is a bloody legend.

[@Maerahn]

Not only is this hilarious, it's a literal history lesson, using actual facts.

[@joshbostian640]

Well Hitler didn't die in that ditch, but everything else is true

[@funkbroker]

Please. The first time I saw this I was crying and laughing so hard I COULD NOT BREATHE. The beauty of Izzard is that he is also so often the one you want to hand to cloudy-eyed adversaries in a nice little turquoise box and say, "THIS is for you."

[@omgarmadillo]

I have learned more history from Eddie Izzard than I ever have in all my years of school

[@locovel10]

of all the rhetoric on war, this is not only funny but brilliant

[@Chris201076]

For my money, this man is the best stand-up comedian in the world.

[@menty6633]

I agree with you six years later.

[@DeltaKilo3]

The first time around I didn't get a lot of this, but over the summer I had to read an entire world history review book and now this is hilarious! I get every single joke!

[@Rogjp]

The thing is, he's very funny, but it's not just humour. There's a lot of truth there.

[@majordendrocopos]

Rogjp I agree with you. Comedians are much more reliable than politicians or business people when it comes to telling the truth.

[@MsBettyRubble]

The truth told unexpectedly is the cornerstone of comedy.

[@negascoot23]

Austin Dyer I hear you: At this point, ANYONE who calls themself a "Truthteller", or is commonly referred to as a "Truthteller" by their supporters automatically sets off an alarm in my head: "WARNING: This individual is more likely than not completely full of shit. If he or she really were a 'Truthteller', they would have no reason or need to advertise it. Listen to this person at your own risk." Calling yourself a "Truthteller" is suspicious because it implies anyone who disagrees with you is not simply mistaken--but deliberately, intentionally, maliciously LYING to you and everyone else.... That is threatening...that frightens us...so the "Truthtellers" show up to "protect" us from the "evil liars". Such people play on our emotions--they rely on irrational reactions. They feed on fear and ignorance. I'm much more comfortable with people who present their arguments with facts rather than "truths"... Facts are immune to emotion, and can't be altered by opinion: It is meaningless how you FEEL about the law of gravity--if you fall off a cliff you are going to die, or at least suffer serious injury.

[@tillabakos2248]

you mean he is a proper comedian?:)

[@obiwankenobi9141]

it's weird hearing Eddie referred to as "he" now that she's transitioning.

[@kabhes9040]

we need it for strategic sheep purposes

[@TitoTimTravels]

I like that he used Risk as an example. I have used board games to describe world politics, for years. In WWII Japan & Germany teamed up in Risk and almost won the board. The US & Russia teamed up to beat them, then turned on each other. Over the next 40 years of a deranged game of Risk, no one noticed that Japan & Germany had switched games. They were now playing Monopoly. By the time anyone noticed, they owned Park Place, the Utilities, they had hotels on every property. During all this China was taking notes. After being brutalized by Japan, the world not caring (we saw it as 'killing your own' because the West does not care about Asia)... China jumped in to play Monopoly as well. And here we are... 😎

[@AximandTheCursed]

This guy is awesome. The way he dresses just seems to add character to everything, and it's just brilliant!

[@cafealphanai8004]

"We need the Falkland islands for strategic sheep purposes"

[@sugarnads]

Lol there was noone to give it back to anyway. It was uninhabited when the brits took it over. Been british for 400 years.

[@iii978]

The Black Goo.

[@gerdforster883]

That's what you get for letting the Welsh decide your foreign policy.

[@lightfain199]

Huh I always thought they have Wales for that

[@sugarnads]

Christopher Bertoli an abandoned whaling station is NOT a settlement.

[@LittleB2007]

I'm from Japan and I love the organized peacekeeper idea a lot. :D "Hey you guys just chill out! Okay? Believe us, getting nuked kinda sucks..."

[@denisemcdougal6445]

True

[@MrScousemouse123]

I know it's late but Nanking was bad, those nukes saved your nation from utter annihilation what was coming you're way would of made d-day look cute.

[@SuperTonyony]

@@MrScousemouse123 1. *your, 2. *would have, and 3. Stop supporting the slaughter of civilians.

[@stephane-lambert-videos]

I'm addicted, can't stop watching !

[@xodancingangie]

some friends and i actually got our history teacher to play this in class - it was everything we had learned about WWII, but FUNNY! she about died laughing, it was amazing...

[@wesrose4258]

That bit about Risk and Australasia is a legit good strategy for that game

[@2liza011]

I'm a painter and I can relate. I just go for a run and feel better.

[@SparksDrinker]

I've seen your trees, they need work.

[@ecdact]

Why couldn't he have been my history teacher in high school??? He is hilarious. Love Eddie! XD

[@BaggyMcPiper]

I love history jokes.

[@denisemcdougal6445]

The ottoman empire full of furniture lol

[@a.i.l1074]

They never get old

[@revia1826]

the most brilliant bit of all time!

[@DeadWhiteButterflies]

I would have soo passed my history in school if he was my teacher. It's briliant how he's able to talk about something so horrid and the almost unspeakable things people like those dictators are capable of, but still be light hearted and funny.

[@abadyr_]

Him, I like him. .... Now Ima watch more.

[@RachelG1979]

thibault caron look up the Lego Eddie izzards someone posted. Super funny. Star wars cantina, cake or death, and James Bond.

[@unseelie63]

This whole show is very high on my list of favorites,so much so that it's really hard to choose a favorite moment.Love the flag bit.The ice cream van.(oh fuck it,while making a cone),"Britain?" "Wot?" and of course,"Ciao"

[@SuperTonyony]

If Vizzini The Sicilian taught us anything, it's "Never get involved in a land war in Asia!".

[@Redhero39]

no matter how many times i see this it stays funny.. im glad i have the dvd (^_^)

[@steamobonafede2715]

I just saw my first Eddie Izzard video thanks to my girlfriend...this segment was part of it....this guy is absolutely hysterical I laughed nonstop thank you sherrie

[@Munker3]

My history teacher played this for us, it was so funny!

[@Dajje]

I think Eddie Izzard is definately one of the best comedians of our time, please come to sweden again!

[@Myathewolfeh1]

Well... do you have a flag? XD

[@toddm7367]

Theknowledgethetruth You cant claim us! We live here!! 50 million of us!

[@g0bi]

4:36 "Fucking hell, where have you been!" Love it!

[@DeltaKilo3]

"Britain, what's that behind your back?" "Uh, it's India and a number of other countries..." "Give them back!" "Oh alright..." This guy is hilarious, he is funny and historically accurate at the same time.

[@racketman2u]

but ... "we NEED the Falkland Islands .. for ....strategic sheep purposes!"

[@philizitus]

i am german and i think Izzard is brilliant!

[@insanegogogirl]

Izzard's comedy is so damn smart!

[@thedrunkpianoplayer]

if Eddie Izzard was my history teacher......i might actually pay attention in class

[@AMcGrath82]

I couldn't stop laughing at that one. No matter what mood I'm in, that one always gets me.

[@killermod0]

I'm majoring in history and becoming a teacher. I think when I first start at a school, I'll just show this for the WWII part of history.

[@rahulshukla7160]

with d Cunning use of Flags ... TRUE !!!

[@MM-yi9zn]

Eddie is delightful, & hilariously funny. His accents & mockery of countries is especially talented.

[@QueenRules1100]

"Oh, it's a bit cold. It's a bit cold." LMAO! I love this guy!

[@DavoidJohnson]

This is so good, other well known comedians have fed off Eddie the king

[@Alxoholiker]

finally a comedian who mentions every crimes of humen... was funny!

[@MercuryChild]

Ciao....

[@jikispqr]

And Stalin was trained to become a priest in Tiflis Spiritual Seminary!

[@thealmightytiddles5427]

'Do you have a phlaaaag?'

[@godblessolbas]

"Pots and pans, just throw the pots and pans at them!" Classic!

[@ahryko]

He would have been a frickin awesome history professor.

[@douglasparkinson4123]

this shows such an intelligent level of history knowledge

[@valgal71292]

I quoted this in my history final. Don't worry, Eddie, I gave you credit.

[@proflob]

he is soooo good!

[@ghostydoggy]

I never realized how good his guy was, I really enjoyed this, what a brilliant performer, does he still tour?

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

This shit is so dark, my god

[@DreamingUPReality]

The epic moment in History class when you quote from Eddie Izzard, and the teacher is the only one who gets it XD

[@harjutapa]

Strategic sheep purposes.

[@limeyosu2000]

"I claim India for Britain" love it

[@alexl1178]

Love this guy.

[@Grandizer8989]

Just realized he was in the movie Valykrie.. Did an awesome job

[@shrinjaymukherjee7297]

I have finals in a few days but oh well, I'll guess I'll just waste my time by watching another hilariously funny, cunning British comedian.

[@FartisticFlatulence]

How did ya do on those finals?

[@shrinjaymukherjee7297]

@@FartisticFlatulence Well I was in grade 8 when I wrote this comment, and I'm in university now, so I guess I did well enough to get here.

[@FartisticFlatulence]

@@shrinjaymukherjee7297 Uni can be tough but loads of fun too. Good luck to ya.

[@Willenskraftz]

If only he was my history teacher .... i'd be a history major

[@StarangWonda]

"The Ottoman Empire, full of furniture for some reason"

[@raverdeath100]

and i stumbled onto that in the last 24 hrs.

[@angryhippo2910]

I saw him live i have never laughed so hard in my life

[@tigerlilyfav13]

I'm glad I'm not the only Hetalia fan that watches Eddie Izzard!

[@seanfall]

"The Ottoman empire, full of Furniture for some reason." Damn I was taking a drink and I spat it out.

[@dirtymonkey55]

this was uploaded on my birthday :D

[@kbwaterbug29]

"No flag no country" my teacher said that and I laughed so hard!

[@sarahc3295]

I wish he was my history teacher in junior college!

[@Martin2-0-0-2]

I know now why the English like to spend their holiday in Switzerland: not only they love the mountains, but also we have the same sense of humour... ;)

[@ricksanchez5949]

Nazi gold aside. I think Toblerones' are way up there along with Cuckoo clocks and decent spectacles. Don't get me wrong it's beautiful in the winter (as in the summer but that much more magical). Let's face it, you're landlocked with France, Germany, Austria & Italy. I'd cross the border just to set up a tent and relax for a half hour stuffing myself with Lindt pretending the world isn't an awful place. Well done Switzerland. Hats off (apart from all the Nazi shit).

[@GabeGirson]

Eddie Izzard is easily my favorite stand up comedian

[@kadefulltimedragon8643]

DO U HAVE A FLAG?!!?!?!?

[@darkslavechaos]

Oh hell yeah. I keep seeing the characters doing things related to what he's saying, it's adding extra amusement ^.^

[@pop5678eye]

Yeah... here in America we criticize France for surrendering, and demanding Britain 'thank' us for saving them, and completely ignoring the Soviet contribution to defeating the Nazis... (more Nazis died to Soviets than to all Western allies combined by a ratio of over two to one) when we ourselves didn't even commit to the war until the end of 1941, when all those other countries have been fighting the Nazis already for over 2 years! If anything, we owe those countries an apology, not demand 'thanks' from them...

[@chino19963]

Well the war in Europe was none of our business to begin with and given the fact we just came out of the Great Depression it kind of understandable why we didn't went to help( even though FDR was giving some aid to the UK) until Japan attacked us

[@MalakianM2S]

chino19963 Although WWII finally saved U.S.A. from that depression, even when Keynes economic politics were softening the hit.

[@pop5678eye]

MalakianM2S I'm not sure what your comment is supposed to mean... Keynes published his economic ideas only near the end of the Great Depression, in part inspired by it. So timeline-wise your comment is backwards. Or, if you are a knee-jerk conservative with the made-up history that somehow FDR was responsible for the GD (read your history, it was Hoover and his Laissez-Faire policies that plunged the US economy) and equate Keynesian economics with planned, government spending, your comment makes even less sense. Yes, it is widely accepted that WWII boosted the US economy... but it was through unprecedented government planning and spending on the war that it did so. (at the height of WWII, the national debt reached 120% of the economy) hence if anything, WWII is evidence that government spending during a recession or depression is good for the economy.

[@MalakianM2S]

pop5678eye My point is that USA coming out from the Great Depression don't make understandable why the late entrance (chino19963's point), even it's pretty ironic being one factor of the economic recovery from that same "crisis", imho one of the most important ones. On the other hand, I agree with your op, and would even add there are some countries totally "erased" from popular history and ignored, who fought too, like New Zealand, Brazil, India and all the free forces of ocuppied countries. Another comic (or maybe Mr.Izzard, I don't remember it) put it very well saying that today Normady is remembered like Omaha beach only, and half the sea landings had no USA forces at all.

[@hull294]

.We paid for those weapons in your bloody text book.They weren't given away.Right up until the late 50 early 60 there was rationing. The last item to come off rationing was sugar.We are still paying by being pulled into stupid wars like Iraq.America always needs us when it wants to legitimise a stupid war.Bush decicides to fuck up Iraq & poke a hornets nest now a bunch of nilist wankers (ISIS) have it & the whole region.

[@KngSol]

I just cracked up imaging Arthur throwing Pots and Pans at Ludwig

[@shadyparadox]

China had the second highest total casualties in WWII right after Russia, but nobody talks much about that either.

[@eoinmcginley2823]

Historical comedy should be more of a thing

[@shunyaku7759]

"You've fell victim to one of the classic blunders, the most famous of which is 'never get involved in a land war in Asia'. But only slightly less well known is 'Never go against a Sicilian when DEATH is on the line! AHA! HA! HA HA HA HA-" *dies*

[@Harry-fe9ec]

Neither. I built up a immunity to iocane powder.

[@divirix]

hes genius, perfect points he made

[@blackrainb0w]

Fkn hell where have you been?

[@TheInterestRates]

"Having breakfast."

[@shadow102994]

I like it on the CD better. "Fuckin hell where've you been?" "Well, we had to wait for something bad to happen to us!"

[@Maggottothecore666]

I actually really like Eddie Izzard, along with Carl Barron he's one of my favourite comics, purely because he's got some intellect. Plus I like history :P

[@charlez360]

That is so true! They got away with it because they killed their own people hahahahha good stuff. Freakin hilarious!!!!!

[@veryanonymous3630]

Yeah I once used that logic in a debate as a way to explain why the nazis are cast as villains so much more than the soviets

[@richarddick1980]

@@veryanonymous3630 are you in your mind or lost in your phantasy?Anti soviet propaganda is still working just fine I see.Stalin was a bloody freak,but there’s a canyon of deference between nazis and soviets.Over 26 millions of soviets died,over 8 millions of soldiers,you bastard!If Hitler could captured USSR then whole world will be over!USA would suck immediately,Britain would fall and etc.And you telling me there’s no diffrence,but someone just got away with it?that’s why Nazis are CAST as villains!?Buddy,with jokes like that you’ll find yourself berried pretty dip in your own shit. Always remember that happiness we have in our world is because of that sacrifice of the soviets.

[@ProjectEkerTest33]

@@richarddick1980 Yeah cause the Soviets never conquered anywhere and never put people in camps to die... oh wait yes they did. The Soviets were slightly better then the Nazis but not by much. And while we should respect the soldiers of the Red Army who died fighting the Nazis I think we can still hate the fucking Stalinist goverment. Also what do you mean the whole world? Europe and bits of Asia would have been fucked if the Soviets collapsed, the Nazis were never gonna reach the Americas.

[@jkschulte3448]

I can totally see Paul Bettany as Eddie in a movie.

[@JamesEriksen]

Brilliant.

[@pirobot668beta]

Saw a 'screener' for Horns. Good solid allegorical tale of revenge, with some seven deadly sins stuff thrown in. Great acting and locales, so-so ending.

[@Eralen00]

"we claim india" "You can't claim us, we live here" brilliant

[@Counterpointe]

Finally went through the trouble of learning how to play Risk, now I can fully enjoy that Risk joke xD

[@0r0r0]

Allies: where have you been? America: uhh...eating breakfast. The dinner the troops ate before they landed on Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches, was a huge breakfast and where they could eat as much as they wanted. If you've ever seen Saving Private Ryan, the men throwing up on the Higgens boats before landing were vomiting because of the large breakfast. Many WW2 Vets have corroborated this. Eddie is amazing.

[@Gavinrb12]

I'm american and some how i am not affended probably because this guys a genius !

[@SasquatchLegend]

"So they were being spiky...and French." I laughed hard.

[@rachell4417]

Should have been my history teacher!