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.