That's Not How It Went Down

This week we're holding our commandments dear and pledging our allegiance to the truth. The story of a soldier who refuses to bear arms, whilst saving the lives of dozens of his fellow men in one of the bloodiest battles of WWII was seemingly a tale so inspiring that Mel Gibson couldn't pass it by. But in telling the history of a simple carpenter travelling the world treating the injured, was there a chance of straying too far from the truth? Did Desmond give blood just to visit his future wife? Did his father burst in on his court martial? And was there really just... one... more? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vroom vroom. Long before becoming the outlandish franchise that invited anyone with an action film on their CV, Dom Toretto's car obsessed, tank-top wearing posse of muscles were created from a surprisingly modest beginning. A good magazine article doth not a good film make - at least in the context of 'The Bling Ring' - but as Dom's crew would know, by tweaking one or two components here and there, you'll end up with a much better performing vehicle. How are these races arranged? Is that how you'd heist a truck? And what exactly is Brian's plan?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's seconds out… as we step into the ring to give a blow by blow account of one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time. Whilst Jake LaMotta is undoubtedly an all-time boxing great, can the same be said about the man outside the ring? A turbulent childhood, an unlikely rise to middleweight champion of the world and a history of abuse and assault all lie beneath the canvas. Did Jake really take a dive? Was he really sent to prison? And did he really try his hand at stand up comedy? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most CIA personnel when they retire probably explore other avenues as a consultant in the intelligence community, but Jason Matthews described wanting something productive to do and began penning novels inspired by his years of service. One of these was adapted into a 2018 film, starring the constantly impressive Jennifer Lawrence as a spy trained in the methods of seduction to obtain information. But where were these methods learnt? Did they ever work? And is a swimming hat a flattering look..? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 1950s and 60s saw movie musicals sweeping the Oscars. "My Fair Lady", "Gigi", "Oliver!" and more all walked away with Best Picture. But after 1967 we were left with a 35 year wait for the next. Enter Rob Marshall and his ground-breaking smash-hit, "Chicago". But having read about the history of Murderess Row in 1920s Chicago I felt compelled to find the truth behind the razzle-dazzle. Was the real Velma Kelly a cabaret singer? Was the Hungarian the first woman sentenced to death in Chicago? And did Roxie and Fred really both reach for the gun?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"This is Sparta!"... or is it? Long before Zack Snyder polarised the fanbase of the DCEU, he started his career directing adverts, a skill which no doubt informed his style as an action film director. After receiving gentle praise for his 'Army Of The Dead' remake in 2004, he created a visual feast two years later by adapting a graphic novel about six-pack-boasting Spartan warriors. But what accounts do we have of this battle? Where is that Spartan well? And were the Australians as heroic as the Greeks? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Now, I know what you're thinkin'. How the heck does a 52-year-old, over-the-hill milkshake-machine salesman build a fast-food empire?" Simple. He capitalises on someone else's readymade formula. But just who exactly was the eponymous "Founder"? Was Ray a beleaguered multi-mix salesman? Did he divorce his wife over dinner? And who really created the Golden Arches?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you weave a character indirectly inspired by real life explorers at the turn of the 20th century with mythical relics and the villainous fascism of pre-WWII Germany, you end up with possibly the greatest action-adventure film ever made. The gap between mystery and history is part of what makes this story so legendary, but what do we find in that gap? Is the Golden Idol a genuine artefact? Where is the Ark of the Covenant? And should we now assume Indiana Jones is part of the Star Wars canon?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everybody knows the story of the boy who never grew up. But how many can claim to know about the man behind Peter Pan and the inspirations that brought his imaginings to life? Was the true story filled with joy and laughter or was their more darkness lurking in Peter Pan's shadow? Was there a real-life inspiration for Peter Pan? Was JM Barrie chasing after a widow whilst still married? And was Nana really a Saint Bernard?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite our cynicism, we're compelled to take a look at another film depicting supernatural occurrences. This could be the first of many visits to this franchise, as impressively, almost all of its storylines can be traced back to an historical account of some sort - and deciding which element of those accounts to tackle is half the fun. Who was Bathsheba? Where is the real house? And do all haunted houses just require a bit of DIY?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are very few literary phenomena as unique as "The Salt Path". The 2018 bestseller sold over 2 million copies and put first-time author Raynor Winn and her husband Moth firmly on the map as one of the most inspiriational couples in the country. But following up on an anonymous tip, the oldest newspaper in the world began it's own investigation, culminating in an exposé that would have reverberations throughout the literary and cinematic worlds. Did they really lose their home because of a bad investment? How bad is Moth's illness? And are Raynor and Moth even their real names?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we get bogged down in the mire of a groundwater contamination scandal that blighted a small community in California. After a spate of comedy dramas and rom-coms, Julia Roberts' turn as a single mother, single-handedly taking a large corporation to task over their single-minded disregard for public health earned her a much-deserved Oscar. But did the real life character deserve the same level of credit? Was the outcome seen as a victory in the eyes of those affected? And how did this story end up in front of Danny DeVito?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the wake of the 1992 LA riots, public trust in the world famous LAPD was at an all-time low. But following an independent commission into police conduct, it was hoped the cops could get things back on track. That was until a police scandal which rocked the city, featuring a cabal of corrupt officers taking part in crimes ranging from shooting unarmed citizens all the way up to bank robbery, with one loose-cannon Puerto Rican cop being the focus of the investigation. Did Alonzo really have ties to street gangs in LA? Did he frame a former partner in the hopes of getting off scot-free? And is that Dr Dre AND Snoop Dogg?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By the end of World War Two over 120,000 people of Japanese descent found themselves interned in camps across the continental United States, despite the vast majority being US citizens themselves. But as the end of the conflict brought with it a new appreciation for Japanese people and culture, it wasn't long before martial arts began to find their footing in mainstream Hollywood movies and TV shows. And with a screenwriter tormented by bullies who takes his own journey into karate, I wanted to discover what other true events had inspired this 80s cult classic and what the life of Mr Miyagi actor Pat Morita had in tandem with his onscreen counterpart. Did Daniel really have to perform household chores as part of his training? Was his first sensei a violent ex-marine who allowed for "no mercy"? And was that crane kick even legal?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite being relentlessly marketed as a film shot in tandem with the actual racing season, "F1: The Movie" is technically not based on a true story. But since I desperately wanted the chance to hold this latest attempt by F1 to prove how exciting it is to account, I thought it best to take a look at one of its most famous rivalries. Sports films are often hit or miss - depending on how much the production can resist the urge to forcefeed us an underdog story, but did Ron Howard manage that without bending the truth? Was there such anamosity between Lauda and Hunt? And what is the point of a fictional film, if it doesn't offer anything new? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to me, listen to me! I'm the captain now... This week we return to the country of Somalia and explore the daring efforts of the pirates that boarded the Maersk Alabama in 2009. Not only did this event make waves in the future safeguarding of cargo ship personnel, it also inspired the ship's captain to document his ordeal in a memoir hot on the heels of Columbia Pictures' acquisition of the rights to his story. But did Richard Phillips actually take all the necessary precautions? How old were the pirates that seized control? And if you attended a talk on pirates, what would you wear..? Joing us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy episode… as we take a look at the best picture winner from 1950. Regularly lauded as being one of the greatest cinematic triumphs in Hollywood history, this is a tale of paranoia, subterfuge and ageing. It's no secret that age plays a huge part in the career of all actors, but just how much of this story of an ingenue usurping her idol is actually true? Did Margo invite Eve into her inner circle? Did Eve betray her by attempting to become her understudy? And why did someone threaten Bette Davis' "moustache"? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Insanity can be defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Perseverance is defined as a persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. But when that 'delay' is 30 years and the 'difficulty' is a cocktail of jellyfish, sharks and tidal forces, does the latter drift towards the former? Diana Nyad stopped at nothing to achieve her goal of swimming from Cuba to Florida but what scuppered her previous efforts? How does the 'shark shield' work? And why is there such debate in the open-water swimming community regarding this achievement? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the height of Russell Crowe's movie powers, many were surprised to see him take a step back from playing the Hollywood tough guy and take on the role of the undoubtably genius, but undeniably troubled, mathematician John Nash. It was a gamble that certainly paid dividends for Crowe's career, but just how historically accurate was the end result? Did Nash really imagine his roommate? Did he make the cover of Fortune Magazine? And what did he actually win a Nobel Prize for? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite both being clued up on many sports - we are ignorant when it comes to baseball. So who better than a couple of English newbies to pitch questions about, cover bases on and take swings at the story behind the Oakland Athletics' innovative approach to player data. Was Billy Beane really that superstitious? Why was this approach so contentious? And are there any days in the year where MLB isn't played?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The tension is running high this week as we take a closer look at would could potentially be deemed one of the biggest "what if?" moments in modern history. There's no denying that not everyone was keen on the idea of a Hollywood spin surrounding one of Germany's most significant war heroes, but just how accurate did the filmmakers get? Did von Stauffenberg really wear an eyepatch? Was a bomb concealed inside a box of Cointreau? And would the mission have succeeded if the meeting with HItler hadn't have been moved? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's taken us this long to get over Braveheart and we feel energised enough to take on another infamously liberty-robbing telling of 'history'. Attempting to leave plenty in the tank to explore the other umpteen versions of this tale down the road, we do our best to stay on track to focus on what this 90's depiction gets right and, sadly more often, wrong. Who was Robin of Loxley? Where even is Loxley? And hasn't that tree been in the news recently? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keep your eyes peeled for white smoke as we unlock the doors to the Sistine Chapel and take a peek into the world of The Two Popes. With the Catholic Church entering the 268th conclave in its history, the time is surely right to discover just how much truth there was behind the relationship between Pope Benedict XVI and the first South American Pope, Francis. Why did Pope Benedict choose to resign? Was Francis involved in betrayal in Argentina? And did they really watch the World Cup final together? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Magic!? Surely not..? Well, hopefully you'll be as surprised as us to learn the historical accounts that it's hard not to believe the Nolans drew upon for this modern classic which catapulted their names into Hollywood renown; as we pull back the curtain, revealing things to show this story may not be as far-fetched as it first seems. Were magicians really in such fierce competition in this era? Did they exploit the public's limited knowledge of electricity? And why can't Warner Bros. afford new sound effects? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the recent passing of the legendary actor Gene Hackman, it felt only right to revisit the most iconic performance from his stellar career. His turn as Popeye Doyle not only won him an Academy Award, but cemented his place among the greatest actors of his generation. But as the public were introduced to this rough and ready NYPD narcotics detective it begged the question; just how much of the story was true? Did a French TV star hide drugs in his car? Did Popeye dress as Santa during stakeouts? And did they really pick their feet in Poughkeepsie? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we do our best to uncover CIA secrets in their relentless pursuit of the world's most wanted man. In Kathryn Bigelow's film, Maya has to wade not only through the mire of the aftermath of America's war on terror, but also against the tide of bureaucracy that tries to suppress her every instinct. Was she really that alone in her pursuit? Why did the helicopter crash at the compound? And what were Bin Laden's reading habits? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a cohort of citizens stand up in the face of injustice to protect one of their own, we delve deeper into history to discover parallels from the Roman Republic which echo into Cold War-era America. But what does the life of a Thracian-born slave have to do with modern day socialist uprising? Did the gladiators escape from slavery using kitchen utensils? Were they able to hold their own against the Roman legions? And did they really yell, "I'm Spartacus!"? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some stories are too good to be true and others are too true to be good. Fortunately, this film is great, but the claims of the real Frank Abagnale Jr. are inconsistent and muddled at best and it's time to take a closer look. How much money did he fraudulently make? Did he escape through an aeroplane toilet? And how do I contact the FBI? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ah, jeez! This week we're defrosting the Coen Brothers' classic 90s crime caper, "Fargo" - a movie claimed in the opening scrawl to be based on true events, ooh yah… you betcha! But just how true? Did Jerry organise a bungled kidnapping of his wife? Was there really a murder involving a woodchipper? And who the heck is Paul Bunyan? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the turn of arguably our 'greatest' film so far as we do one of my favourite things and track down the truths of the Von Trapps. Something good will come from our discoveries and I have confidence that we won't spoil its legacy when we climb ev'ry mountain of curiosity. Why did the children need a governess? Did the Baroness exist? And what is it Maria can't face? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"When you're the best of friends you"… start a podcast about the veracity of movies. But surely this is a train bridge too far? A tale of two anthropomorphised animals in rural America with a basis in fact? This week we're keeping our noses to the ground to sniff out the truth. Was there really a fox and a hound with a vendetta? Did an old dog get led onto the train tracks on purpose? And can foxes really catch fish? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unfortunately, we can't spend a whole episode talking about 'The Departed', but we'll do our best to tie it into the discoveries we make about Johnny Depp's turn at Jimmy "Whitey" Bulger. Who was informing who? Did he really win the lottery? And what on earth is Jai Alai? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Goooooood morning listeners! On this episode we take a look BTS between the US and the VC to discover all that was kept on the QT in this classic Robin Williams comedy. Did he really use THAT intro? Was he almost killed in a restaurant bombing? And did he really teach English to meet girls? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Come gather round people wherever you roam and listen to us as we fingerpick our way through the formative years of the great Bob Dylan in Hollywood's latest music biopic. Was Chalomet unlucky to miss out on the Oscar? Was Johnny Cash such a major player in Dylan's career? And was there an axe to hand the night Dylan went electric? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Facebook. It was the film nobody thought needed making but we had a hunch a story about computer programmers falling out had to have been embellished somehow in some quarters. Did he make Facemash in one night? Did the Winklevoss Twins actually have a claim? And what exactly did Sean Parker even do?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have that fly-spray ready as this week the boys take a look at the movie which started perhaps the most bonkers franchise in horror history. What really happened before the Lutzes arrived? What happened once they'd moved in? And what exactly is "Amityville in Space"? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a bonus treat this Valentine's Day, we're brushing up on our pickup lines and revisiting the classic date movie "50 First Dates". With real life inspirations which feel too close to the movie's storyline to just be coincidence, it's time to dig a little deeper. Did Lucy's memory reset every night? Was she really involved in a car crash? And what's with all the Reggae music? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Surely one of the tallest collaborations was when Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Stephen Merchant tag-teamed to create this feel-good family film - but just how tall was this tale? Did Paige come from a wrestling family? Did The Rock give them a pep talk? And why is a man from Norwich an Arsenal fan? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just when you thought it was safe to listen to a podcast… On this week's episode we take a look at one of the all-time greats. Was there really a spate of killings on the New England coast? Is Quint based on a real person? And did they really need a bigger boat? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You are now about to witness the strength of film knowledge as we tackle our first music biopic. Much like NWA themselves, this film was a stratospheric success but how did all the major players meet? How did the gig in Detroit unfold? And can we keep this episode from being R rated? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Robin Williams at the height of his power in the mid-nineties, a family friendly comedy with a heart of gold felt like a recipe for success. But just how close did it come to the real-life events? Was he almost kicked out of college? Did his girlfriend really get murdered? And did he moon at his graduation ceremony? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re not skating over anything this week as we unpick what on earth went on in 1994 as depicted in the Oscar-buzzed “I, Tonya”. The film admits from the off that some of the accounts are contradictory so we felt it was up to us to try and set the record straight. Whose idea was it? How difficult is a triple axel? And is Shawn Eckhardt really that ridiculous? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Elliot and Lewis get held up learning about the infamous bank robbery which inspired “Dog Day Afternoon”. Was there really no money left in the vault? Did one of the robbers get cold feet? And just why are they so keen to get to Algeria? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’ve got all the required documents to explore the history behind Spielberg’s romcom “The Terminal”. The strangeness of the circumstances in the film left us puzzled, but what if the real life circumstances were even stranger? Can you make a living returning trolleys? Is Krakozhia a real place? And how much was that burger?! Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we’re kicking off our Sunday shoes to learn the truth behind the iconic 80s hit, “Footloose”. Was there a dancing ban? Did the townspeople really hold book burnings? And what exactly is tractor chicken? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week it’s time for a deep dive into the behemoth that is “Titanic”. Lauded for its scale and ambition, bringing this story to life was no mean feat. But how much of the wreck footage was actually used? Was this journey doomed from the start? And did Dunkin’ Donuts pay for some product placement? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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As an early Christmas present, we decided to explore some of the inspiration behind the 1996 festive 'comedy' Jingle All The Way. What was the toy behind the idea? How did some of these jokes remain in the script!? And can you name all Rudolph's companions? Join us to find out on this bonus episode of That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time around we attempt to keep the demons at bay as we uncover the truth behind Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-nominated “Changeling”. Did the police return the wrong boy? Was Christine Collins dragged to a psychiatric institute? And did Angelina Jolie really learn to roller-skate? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Featuring a cast full of the hottest young prospects early noughties Hollywood had to offer, “Black Hawk Down” has a reputation as one of the most accurate war movies of all time. But what exactly was the Mogadishu Mile? How many Black Hawks went down? And… is that a baby-faced Tom Hardy? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.