That's Not How It Went Down

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

This time Lewis & Elliot pull the curtain back on the life and times of “The Greatest Showman” himself, PT Barnum, to find out just how closely Hugh Jackman’s feel-good musical comes to the truth. Was PT Barnum a triple threat performer? Did his circus succumb to arsonists? And who is Gordon Bennett? 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 we look at the true story behind a group of privileged youngsters who develop a serious case of kleptomania in “The Bling Ring”. Sofia Coppola’s telling of this high-school socialite spree left us with a whole host of unanswered questions. Did they really steal from Orlando Bloom? Were they already reality stars in the making? Why on earth did Emma Watson agree to do this movie? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking us right back to the Disney renaissance, this time around it’s all things “Pocahontas”, but can an animated classic be historically on point? Did Pocahontas fall in love with John Smith? How did they speak the same language? Can you paint with all the colours of the wind? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tension mounts as we question the truth behind Ben Affleck’s Best Picture winner, “Argo”. This previously little-known tale of subterfuge, paranoia and CIA secrets had us on the edge of our seats but were they interrogated at the airport? Why was the movie called Argo? If I go to Tehran, can I get a KFC? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode we finally give in to the urge to explore the infamously historically inaccurate “Braveheart”. Did they really paint their faces blue? How involved was Robert The Bruce? And why does the word ‘Bridge’ carry so much importance? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listeners; we have a problem. While Ron Howard’s acclaimed blockbuster “Apollo 13” was lauded as a triumph of filmmaking and special effects, we wanted to make sure we kept our feet firmly on the ground to find out the truth behind the mission. Were the crew really last-minute replacements? Why was everyone sick? And do NASA have a littering problem? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grab something to hide behind because this week we’re taking a look at the inspiration behind IMDB’s No. 1 horror movie of all time, “The Exorcist”. We’ll be answering all the devilish questions you were too scared to ask. How many exorcists does it take to cure someone? Did satanic messages appear on a child’s body? Do I have what it takes to be an exorcist? 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, the boys take an in-depth look at the 90s classic sports-comedy, “Cool Runnings”, to ask questions on everyone’s lips. Were they actually pushcart drivers? Did they even crash the sled at the Olympics? And what on earth is the Jamaican qualifying procedure for Olympic sprinters? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.