TV & FilmFilm HistoryFilm Reviews

That's Not How It Went Down

Lewis Howard & Elliot Fitzpatrick

*Winners of Best TV & Film Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards 2025

Many movies claim to be 'based on a true story', but how much truth actually makes it onto the silver screen?

Whilst one of us queries the less believable moments from the film, the other takes a deep dive into the fact behind the fiction to educate us and answer… is that really how it went down?

Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast

Produced by 2020 Recordings

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S1 · E104
Tuesday · 1 hr
'Pressure' (2026)
Returning to the fertile fields of WWII cinema, we explore one of the more unique storylines of this era. The most common form of artistic translation into film today is probably from the good old fashioned book. But wind the clock back nearly a century and many stories for the silver screen were lifted directly from the stage and it's a path less commonly trod in the 21st century. The story of Lieutenant James Stagg's challenge to present key information to the Allied leadership in the build-up to D-Day regarding weather conditions in the English Channel and beyond, is the perfect scenario for a contained, kitchen sink drama, where the stakes of the situation extend far beyond the fourth wall, but over a decade later, how has that story fared in its transition to the big screen? Was James Stagg's relationship with Dwight D. Eisenhower as depicted? Was the plan really aborted and restarted so late on? And when is someone going to give Kerry Condon the decent role she deserves?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E103
September 29 · 1 hr 1 min
'Anastasia' (1997)
The collection of animated movies that are "based on a true story" is perhaps unsurprisingly thin. Having already tackled several of these on our investigative journey through film so far a common theme has occurred: stories with much darker origins finding themselves rewritten and revised to suit the preferences of modern audiences - as well as their offspring. And so it would appear with 1997's NOT Disney musical animation, "Anastasia" - the magical story of a missing princess who manages to rediscover her regal roots on a journey to the past. But as with those movies alluded to above, a dark secret is lurking behind this family-friendly tale, and the reappearance of a missing princess may not quite be as honest as it first seems. Have you heard?! There's a rumour in St Petersburg... but was it true? Why was the Tsar ousted from his position in Russia? Was Anastasia able to escape the Winter Palace with her grandmother? And did Rasputin really rise from the frozen river to seek revenge on the Romanovs?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E102
September 22 · 59 min
'The Iron Claw' (2023)
Having gotten up off the canvas over the strange motives behind A24's most recent ring-set movie, The Smashing Machine, we've mustered the stamina to dive head first into another world of yellow-tinted bleakness, this time exploring the misfortune of the Von Erich dynasty. WWE has had its fair share of unwanted stories surrounding its lack of support for its athletes during and after their time with the company, but wind the clock back half a century before it became the behemoth that it is, and it could be argued the world of sports entertainment came from a more pure place. But it still wasn't without tragedy, and the Von Erichs suffered more than most. What was Fritz Von Erich's ring persona? How many brothers were there? And could Elliot become NWA Missouri Heavyweight Champion?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E101
September 15 · 59 min
'Julie & Julia' (2009)
Bonjour et bienvenue dans That's Not How It Went Down. We will be your maître d's and for your aperitif today we will perusing the 2009 comedy biopic "Julie & Julia". Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the film before we get to the meat and bones of the episode. You can choose between the menus of renowned television cook - the French Chef herself - Julia Child, or the up and coming young talent from New York City, blogger and avid recipe-follower, Julie Powell. In the meantime, relax and unwind as we dissect your meal being careful to remove any faux pas the director may have left behind. Bon appétit! Why did Julie choose to cook all 524 of Julia Child's recipes? Did it really take 12 years for Julia to write her first book? And did Eric really eat like such a pig?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E100
September 8 · 1 hr 1 min
'The Last King of Scotland' (2006)
Some actors were born to play certain roles, but perhaps it's a bit of a shame if that role happens to be one of the worst dictators in human history. At least in Forest Whitaker's case, the performance bagged him some serious accolades. Standing opposite Whitaker was the fresh faced James McAvoy, playing a man increasingly out of his depth in Idi Amin's turbulent, bloody reign of Uganda. Based on a 'semi-fictionalised' book, it would be easy to assume many sequences from this film are the conjurings of a well-researched writer, but even the characters and moments that are confirmed somewhat as fiction, have an unfortunate link to fact. How did Idi Amin get into power? What were his most brutal acts? And how deep does his obsession with Scotland go?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E99
September 1 · 59 min
'Chariots of Fire' (1981)
On your marks, get set... TRUTH! In this episode we're passing the baton to perhaps the most iconic British sports film of all. Turning the lives and times of two of Britain's most fabled Olympians into an award-winning movie was always going to be a high bar to clear with plenty of hurdles along the way, but with Chariots of Fire taking the USA by storm it found its way to the top of the podium to achieve Oscars immortality in 1982. Nevertheless, one has to wonder whether the filmmakers, in relaying the facts, made it to the finishing tape in one piece or if they just got off to a false start. Did Harold Abrahams complete the Great Court Run? Did Eric Liddell really refuse to run on a Sunday? And is that man at the back Stephen Fry?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E98
August 25 · 1 hr
'Yes Man' (2008)
"YES! Say it a million times. Then say it a million more. And the word you will have said two million times is...?" Saying 'yes' isn't always as easy as it might seem. But for a man who has previously played someone unable to tell a lie you might feel as though answering solely in the affirmative would be bit of a step down. Although the obligation of Fletcher Reede is entirely fictitious, the predicament of "Yes Man"'s Carl Allen actually finds its roots in historical fact. What began as an experiment in personal growth by a down-and-out radio producer very quickly evolved into a life-changing experience for not just one person but a whole host of yes-people across the world. But did the filmmakers of the 2008 movie adaptation really say "yes" when it came to historical accuracy? Was Carl really such a terrible friend? Was he indoctrinated into the cult of "Yes"? And what is so great about Lincoln, Nebraska?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E97
August 18 · 58 min
'Bronson' (2008)
After minor roles in Black Hawk Down, Layer Cake and RocknRolla, Tom Hardy made his biggest entrance to audiences when he beefed up for the role of Britain's most violent inmate. It's now hard to imagine anyone else in the role, but even though it launched his now stellar career, it arguably remains his most outlandish performance. But there is surely no other way to play a man who has lived almost his entire adult life in conditions and circumstances most of us would not want to spend a second in. And since so many of the stories from inside the prison system are under lock and key, it's the inmate we have to rely on when sifting through the facts. What made Michael Peterson so violent? How was he ever released? And how many times can one prisoner climb onto the prisom roof without being stopped?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E96
August 11 · 1 hr
'Scream' (1996)
What's your favourite scary movie? If it happens to be 1996's revival slasher horror, "Scream", then stick around because you just might be scared witless. Small-town America is something many of us film buffs would have grown up imagining and idolising. A paradise of charming neighbourhoods and family-filled streets. But what if the place you perceived to be the safest in the world was suddenly plunged into darkness in the midst of some of the worst crimes imaginable? That was the reality for the residents of Gainesville, Florida in 1990 just as students were preparing to return to college after summer break. What followed were 4 days of terror that led to the birth of an anonymous madman on the loose and students barricading themselves in their dorms for fear of becoming the next victim. Ready to hide behind that sofa? Was there really a masked killer targeting students? Did Sidney manage to escape? And were the authorities really this inept at catching the killer?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E95
August 4 · 1 hr
'Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade' (1989)
Archaeology is the search for fact, as is the goal of this podcast. But facts can be hard to come by when dealing with something as genuinely legendary as the Holy Grail. The true magic of the best Indiana Jones moments, lies in the historical half-truths that resonate with us, whether we are believers or not in the faith they are attributed to. After unearthing some fascinating parallels in stories that may have inspired the film that kicked off this franchise, surely we would find similar origins here. After all, we do find ourselves in very similar circumstances against the backdrop of the Nazi's rise to power. Who was the real grail hunter of the time? Where was the grail located? And does anyone here speak English?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E94
July 28 · 58 min
'Coach Carter' (2005)
This week we're dribbling at the prospect of another sports movie slam dunk. Basketball may be a relatively unknown sport where we come from, but across the pond its presence is undeniable with 170 million fans tuning in to follow their team. And that journey to the NBA begins at high school with around 50,000 students offered scholarships to attend university for their excellence on court. But in 1999 an unusual story emerged of a coach's refusal to let his students play unless their grades improved ensuring that, even without a scholarship, they could still move on to higher education. His name was Coach Ken Carter. But with the film adaptation of this story released 6 years later were moviegoers treated sharpshooting display or did the studio fumble the ball? Was Coach Carter a former student at Richmond High? Did his son really switch schools to play for his dad? And did he really lock the gym to prevent his players from training?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E93
July 21 · 59 min
'Hidden Figures' (2016)
The history of space exploration is often dominated by men. Movies like "Apollo 13" and "First Man" - while captivating - seem to only show the perseverance of the male members of NASA, crucially omitting the thousands of hours of dedication from female mathematicians and engineers. But in 2015, a relatively unknown woman was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, highlighting an extraordinary career that began at the height of the Space Race in the 1950s and revealed to audiences a year later in the Oscar-nominated, "Hidden Figures". But this time it's our turn to check the numbers and see just how accurate the filmmakers' calculations were. Did the ladies of NASA really carpool together? Did Katherine Johnson have to cross the entire campus to go to the bathroom? And did John Glenn really request that Katherine "check the numbers"?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E92
July 14 · 1 hr
'Pride' (2014)
When it comes to the miners' strike of 1984/85, there isn't much positivity to be found. Families in communities solely reliant upon the income generated from the coal-mining industry were effectively starved into desperation as Margaret Thatcher's brutal tactics attempted to break the Unions. But as those standing up to the crisis had to find new ways to generate funds for their union members, a relationship based on mutual understanding and marginalisation formed between a group of gays and lesbians in London and a small town in South Wales. The fruits of the fruits of these labours were immortalised in a touching 2014 film with a stellar cast mainly from England, Ireland and Scotland - but what else wasn't quite right? What were Mark Ashton's political involvments before this venture? And how many guests is too many for a sleepover..? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E91
July 7 · 1 hr 2 min
'The Great Escape' (1963)
This week we're embodying the inimitable sense of British wartime spirit with a look at many people's all-time favourite war movie. Despite experiencing the harrowing conditions of near starvation inside POW camp Stalag Luft III, the unbreakable resilience of 600 men led to perhaps the most infamous prison escape in cinematic history. But with the events depicted undeniably embellished by Hollywood and featuring a whole host of dashing young American actors in leading roles did the filmmakers tip the scales too much in their quest for action and adventure? And, like the heroes of The Great Escape, what truth can we unearth which lies hidden beneath the surface? How were the inmates able to plan such a daring escape? Was there really a 'cooler king' like Hilts? And just how far did some of the escapees make it?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E90
June 30 · 59 min
'Saving Mr. Banks' (2013)
We've said before that the story of how a legacy was created doesn't necessarily guarantee compelling viewing. But in this dramatised making of, we are partially spared the knowing winks and nods to the audience when dealing with the most famous elements. Partially... Where this movie soars is when it's telling the story of conflict between the stubborn, grouchy author who wants to keep her vision pure, and the equally stubborn visionary who wants to create pure magic. Did Walt Disney take P.L. Travers on a tour of Disneyland? Did she really not want red in the film? And do the Sherman brothers have anything good to say about the author?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E89
June 23 · 1 hr
'Dallas Buyers Club' (2013)
Not many movies can claim to have restarted an actor's career with more success than 2013's biographical drama, "Dallas Buyers Club". With Matthew McConaughey formerly known as a romantic comedy lead it was something of a punt casting a heartthrob in the role of Ron Woodroof, a terminally ill electrician who begins his own quest to provide life-extending drugs to those who share his fate. Having discovered clear differences in the perception of Woodroof between the people that knew him versus the filmmakers themselves however, we decided to do some clandestine research of our own to uncover the truth. Was Ron really given just 30 days to live? Did he dress up as a priest in order to smuggle across borders? And what exactly happened in Japan?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E88
June 16 · 1 hr
'The Revenant' (2015)
There are many films known for a single scene, but as the limits of what can be achieved on camera continue to be pushed into new territories, it's surely becoming harder and harder to use this as a marketing tool. But the "new DiCaprio film where he gets mauled by a bear" generated serious buzz before its release, and its reputation - much like Hugh Glass himself - has endured. But many may not know this gruesome event actually happened - and those that did, may have contributed to its retelling over the years and bear responsibility for its embellishment. Was Hugh Glass' son murdered? How did he survive? And is 'bear responsibility' the last unintentional pun we'll make?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E87
June 9 · 1 hr
'Quiz Show' (1994)
This time out we're inviting contestants into the hot seat and switching off the air conditioning as we attempt to uncover the mysteries behind the infamous 1950s quiz show scandal. With a brand new genre of TV entertainment came a shocking lack of regulation, allowing viewers to be swept up in the rags to riches stories of their favourite contestants, all the while unaware that what they were watching wasn't just being manipulated… it was downright scripted. Were the players on Twenty-One really given the answers? What made Herb Stempel go public with his accusations? And did he really forget his favourite movie, Marty? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E86
June 2 · 41 min
BONUS: 'Gladiator' (2000)
The temptation to parody the speech we all know from this film as a blurb was tempting but would have been too obvious. What perhaps isn't as obvious, is quite how may historical figures made it into this absolute classic. Ancient Rome is an arena that rarely needs augmenting or embellishing, but it was done for this story by taking some archetypal characters and weaving them into a timeless revenge storyline. Did Commodus kill Marcus Aurelius? Did Lucilla conspire against her brother? And who was Maximus? Join us to find out on this bonus episode of That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 · E85
May 26 · 1 hr
'Memories of Murder' (2003)
After being recommended this film from many quarters, the time felt right to tackle one of the darkest subject matters when it comes to true stories - serial killings. But this being one of the first films of the visionary behind Parasite, it was always bound to have a certain amount of black comedy, though not as much as one would come to expect from more recent Bong Joon Ho films. As we approach the 25 year anniversary of the film's release, inevitably there will be gaps to fill in on the case explored in its story. Was anyone charged with these murders? How competent were the police force? And is fifteen years too short for a statute of limitations?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Subscribe now to hear more: patreon.com/tnhiwdpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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