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Parents' Guide to

The Liberator

By Marina Gordon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Novel animation style enlivens diverse, violent WWII drama.

TV Netflix Drama 2020
The Liberator Poster Image

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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

What's the Story?

THE LIBERATOR, based on the true story of Felix Sparks (who later became a Brigadier General and served on the Colorado Supreme Court), follows a unit known as the Thunderbirds that was populated by jailed soldiers at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 1941. Most of these men are Native American and Mexican American, and Sparks (Bradley James) is rare among the White military for treating them as worthy soldiers -- he encourages them to "prove everything every 'a--hole' said about you is wrong." The unit is deployed to Sicily, and over the next 500 days will see battle after brutal battle, losing many of their original members along the way as they fight toward the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp in Germany.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (4 ):

Though new insights into 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. The Liberator feels familiar in so many ways -- Felix Sparks (Bradley James) is a handsome, brave U.S. Army officer who inspires fierce loyalty from his soldiers, bucks his superiors when his conscience requires it (instead of returning home after an injury, he goes AWOL to return to the battlefield), and writes insightful, expository letters to his wife, Mary, back home. New is the depiction of the 45th infantry division, nicknamed The Thunderbirds, a unit that was one of most integrated in the war and included a mix of Native Americans, Mexican Americans, and Southwestern cowboys. Sparks led them through 500-plus days of combat in less than two years, ending with the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp. The stories of his soldiers are told primarily through two fictional characters, Sergeant Samuel Coldfoot (Martin Sensmeier) and Corporal Able Gomez (Jose Miguel Vasquez), two men who have felt the boot of racism all their lives yet embrace the chance to fight for their country.



Also new is the technology used to produce the animation. Called Trioscope Enhanced Hybrid Animation, it combines CGI with live-action performance and delivers impressive detail, particularly in wide shots. Enormous battlefields and European towns alike are rendered not realistic so much as immersive. Unlike the combination of live action and CGI, The Liberator relieves the viewer of the guessing game of what's real and what isn't. Once you get used to the look, you're in for the ride, even though you know where the story is going.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about their reaction to The Liberator's emotionally difficult material. Do you believe the atrocities depicted here can happen again? Why or why not?

  • What other war shows, movies, and documentaries have you seen? Do they seem true to life? How about the coverage you see in the news? Is it balanced? How would you be able to tell?

  • What do you think about the Trioscope animation technique used here? Does it elevate the storytelling? Or do you think it detracts from it? What would be the benefits of using this kind of technology as opposed to traditional animation or live-action filming?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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