“We still have not come to grips with World War II,” asserted newsman Tom Brokaw, the author of several books on the subject. “It was the largest event in the history of mankind.”

Brokaw moderated a panel on Monday night following Netflix’s preview screening of its new eries, “Five Came Back,” at Alice Tully Hall, that included  Guillermo Del Toro, Lawrence Kasdan, George Stevens, Jr., the series’ director Laurent Bouzereau, and the author Mark Harris–on whose book the documentary is based.

The series shines a light on little known film work of five highly successful mid-century Hollywood directors: John Huston, John Ford, George Stevens, William Wyler, and Frank Capra. Each left lucrative careers to document what was going on in Europe during the war, with life changing results. as Del Toro, Kasdan, Francis Ford Coppola, Paul Greengrass, and Steven Spielberg– who made a special stop to take pictures and answer questions– serve as their voices in this riveting documentary.

It was a star studded evening with playwright Tony Kushner, actress Linda Emond, plus Oren Moverman, Ben Foster, Gay Talese, Bennett Miller, Jeffrey Toobin, and Julie Taymor among those who moved on to an after party at Shun Lee. Much of the talk was about the film’s relevance today. Some footage featured Charles Lindbergh speaking as head of the America First Committee. Well, after Pearl Harbor, we all know how that turned out. Haven’t we heard this sentiment in more recent times?

And aside from the great archival footage, something else was retro, the paucity of women. As Taymor wanted to know: Were there none who could have joined the austere directors asked to speak about the historic filmmakers and their work? This gripe was all in keeping with Guillermo Del Toro’s observation for all, referring to the bravery of the five who came back: They tell us to keep quiet about politics. We have every right—even an obligation—to talk about politics.

Jeremy Renner will not be in Christopher McQuarrie’s “Mission Impossible 6.” That’s the word and I’ve confirmed it. He did two “MI”s with Tom Cruise, but that was enough. He’s doing two “Avengers” movies back to back instead — “Infinity War” and “Ant-man and the Wasp” as Hawkeye.

This would explain the addition of Henry Cavill aka Superman. I guess Cavill will replace Renner in Ethan Hunt’s squad.

Renner was always a weird fit with Cruise. He really can star in his own movies, and has– like “Bourne Legacy.” He’s an Oscar nominee, and actually should be at the Oscars more often. Word is he’s very good in “Wind River,” coming this August.

No word yet on how they’ll say William Brandt has departed the “Mission” group. But think of all the actors who’ve come and gone around Cruise’s Ethan Hunt. Renner won’t be the first or the last.

Awards season is over, and there’s no more swag.

Of course, there’s swag and then there’s swag. As a member of the Broadcast Critics, I receive copies of the screenplays for the year’s films. They’re usually just printed up as a paperback book, with no worth other than having them.

But others really get nice stuff. The Hollywood Foreign Press ASsociation apparently receives autographed screenplays, and mostly leather bound in special embossed covers. How do we know? Well, they’re turned up on e-bay.

Right now screenplays for Martin Scorsese’s “Silence” written by Jay Cocks, Noah Oppenheim’s “Jackie,” and Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight” are all up for auction on the site. Each one specifies that they were created for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

The highest price signed screenplay of this past season comes from “La La Land” for $499. Signature was obtained at the Vanity Fair And Barneys New York Private Dinner In Celebration Of “La La Land” Feb 22 2017 – Chateau Marmont – Los Angeles, CA

And the auctions are not just limited to screenplays. For $225 there’s a boxed set for 2015’s “Creed.” The ebay entree reads: THIS AUCTION IS FOR THE CREED MOVIE DELUXE BOX SET PLUS THE FYC SCRIPT AND SOUNDTRACK. THIS WAS GIVEN OUT AS A GIFT TO THE HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS FOR THE CONSIDERATION AT GOLDEN GLOBES 2016. THIS IS A LIMITED EDITION. NOT SOLD IN STORES. THE DVD WAS TAKEN OUT BY THE HFPA MEMBER AS IT WAS WATERMARKED. THE BOX MEASURES 10 X 8.5 X 2 1/4 INCHES CLOSED. ONCE THE DVD COME OUT YOU CAN OUT IT IN EMPTY SPOT.