That's Not How It Went Down

Film, TV & Pop Culture

About

*Winners of Best TV & Film Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards 2025Many 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 for further listening: https://tnhiwd.supercast.com/ Produced by 2020 Recordings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  • 'Heat' (1995)

    This episode of 'That's Not How It Went Down' discusses the 1995 crime film 'Heat.' It investigates the real-life inspirations behind the characters and events portrayed in the movie, such as Vincent Hanna and Neil McCauley, and analyzes t…

  • 'Philomena' (2013)

    The episode discusses the film 'Philomena' and the real-life story it portrays, which involves the Catholic church and the search for answers and reparations regarding Irish children brought to the US. It covers the establishment of the co…

  • 'The Warriors' (1979)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down discusses the 1979 film "The Warriors," examining its setting in gangland New York and its unexpected ties to both historical events and ancient tales of endurance. The hosts explore the real-wor…

  • 'The Devil Wears Prada' (2006)

    This episode discusses the film "The Devil Wears Prada" (2006), analyzing Meryl Streep's role as Miranda Priestly and the impact of the original story's real-world inspiration in the fashion industry. It explores the film's lasting appeal…

  • 'Seabiscuit' (2003)

    This episode discusses the racehorse Seabiscuit, his rise to fame during the Great Depression, and the Oscar-nominated film adaptation of his story. It explores the factual accuracy of the underdog narrative and the key figures involved in…

  • 'American Gangster' (2007)

    This episode of 'That's Not How It Went Down' discusses the film 'American Gangster' (2007). It investigates the historical accuracy of the events portrayed, focusing on the characters of Frank Lucas and Ritchie Roberts.

  • 'Marley & Me' (2008)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down examines the historical accuracy of the 2008 film Marley & Me, based on John Grogan's memoir. The hosts discuss the challenges of filming with dogs and verify specific details from the book versu…

  • 'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It' (2021)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down examines the real-life events behind the 2021 film The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, specifically the 1981 murder of Alan Bono. The hosts discuss the Warrens' involvement in the case and an…

  • 'Hamnet' (2025)

    This episode examines the historical accuracy of Chloe Zhao's film Hamnet, exploring what is known about William Shakespeare and his family. The hosts discuss specific plot points, including the portrayal of Agnes and the significance of t…

  • 'The Hunt for Red October' (1990)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down examines the 1990 film adaptation of Tom Clancy's The Hunt for Red October. The hosts discuss the movie's naval accuracy, the depiction of submarine warfare, and the story behind Clancy's militar…

  • 'American Sniper' (2014)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down examines Clint Eastwood's American Sniper, exploring its cultural divisiveness, box office success, and the accuracy of its claims regarding Chris Kyle and Middle Eastern warfare.

  • 'The Big Short' (2015)

    Hosts Lewis Howard and Elliot Fitzpatrick analyze the 2015 film The Big Short directed by Adam McKay, discussing the accuracy of its portrayal of the 2008 global recession events. They examine specific claims from the film, such as the beh…

  • 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' (1984)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down examines the historical and cultural accuracy of the 1984 film Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The hosts investigate the reality of the Sankara Stones, 1930s Shanghai nightlife, and the Thu…

  • 'Marty Supreme' (2025)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down examines the life and career of the enigmatic table tennis player who inspired Josh Safdie's film about post-war competition. The hosts discuss the world of professional table tennis, the impact…

  • 'To Kill a Mockingbird' (1962)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down explores the real-life inspirations behind Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. The discussion examines the historical context of Depression-era court cases, the influence of Lee's upbringing in A…

  • 'The Favourite' (2018)

    An exploration of the 2018 film 'The Favourite', analyzing its themes, historical context regarding Queen Anne, and the performances of its leading actresses. The episode also discusses the production's dark humor and the historical accura…

  • 'Frankenstein' (2025)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down examines Guillermo del Toro's take on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, exploring the historical scientific inspirations for the novel and the reality behind concepts like reanimation and Castle Frank…

  • 'American Made' (2017)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down reviews the 2017 film American Made, starring Tom Cruise as a pilot and drug smuggler. The hosts examine the film's historical accuracy regarding the character's work for the CIA and the Colombia…

  • 'The Imitation Game' (2015)

    In this episode, the hosts analyze the historical accuracy of the 2014 biopic "The Imitation Game," examining the portrayal of Alan Turing and the Bletchley Park codebreakers during World War II. Topics include the Enigma machine, Turing's…

  • BONUS: 'Home Alone' (1&2)

    In this bonus episode, the hosts explore the origins of the Home Alone films and discuss potential real-life stories or anecdotes that may have inspired or resemble the plot. They speculate on the truths behind the holiday films.

  • 'The Man Who Invented Christmas' (2017)

    This episode examines the historical accuracy of the 2017 film The Man Who Invented Christmas, which depicts the creation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The hosts explore how much of the movie is based on real events, including Dic…

  • 'In the Heart of the Sea' (2015)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down discusses Ron Howard's film 'In the Heart of the Sea.' The hosts delve into the movie's budget, epic story inspired by Moby Dick, and challenges such as inconsistent accents.

  • 'Saturday Night Fever' (1977)

    This episode of "That's Not How It Went Down" examines the 1977 film "Saturday Night Fever." It questions the accuracy of the film's portrayal of Brooklyn youth culture, John Travolta's character, and the real-life inspirations behind the…

  • 'Roofman' (2025)

    This episode of 'That's Not How It Went Down' discusses the audience's tendency to root for fugitives in crime films, using 'Roofman' starring Channing Tatum as an example. It explores how the setting and character's charm might influence…

  • 'Cheaper By The Dozen' (2003)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down investigates the 2003 film Cheaper by the Dozen, examining the real family that inspired it, the financial aspects of raising many children, and the term "Therblig".

  • 'The Hunchback Of Notre Dame' (1996)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down discusses the 1996 film 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame,' contrasting its story with Victor Hugo's dark 19th-century gothic novel. It also touches upon the historical context of Romani people in Fra…

  • 'The Smashing Machine' (2025)

    This episode examines the historical accuracy of the MMA film "The Smashing Machine," questioning its portrayal of Mark Kerr

  • 'The Conjuring 2' (2016)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down examines the 2016 film 'The Conjuring 2'. It questions the involvement of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the identity of the character Valak, and the continued belief in the events depicted.

  • 'Hacksaw Ridge' (2016)

    Hacksaw Ridge Episode AI Summary

  • 'The Fast and the Furious' (2001)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down reviews the 2001 film 'The Fast and the Furious', discussing its modest beginnings and contrasting it with the later, more outlandish franchise. The hosts analyze how the races were arranged, the…

  • 'Raging Bull' (1980)

    This episode reviews the 1980 film 'Raging Bull,' discussing boxer Jake LaMotta's life, career, and controversies, including his childhood, rise to middleweight champion, and alleged incidents outside the ring.

  • 'Red Sparrow' (2018)

    This episode discusses the 2018 film 'Red Sparrow', which stars Jennifer Lawrence as a spy trained in seduction. The hosts delve into the espionage methods depicted and whether they are effective.

  • 'Chicago' (2002)

    The podcast episode "Chicago" (2002) from "That's Not How It Went Down" explores the historical basis for the movie musical. It questions whether the real Velma Kelly was a cabaret singer, if a Hungarian woman was the first to be sentenced…

  • '300' (2006)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down discusses Zack Snyder's 2006 film '300'. It examines the historical accounts of the battle, the film's depiction of the Spartan well, and the portrayal of Australian heroism, comparing it to the…

  • 'The Founder' (2016)

    This episode explores the accuracy of the 2016 film The Founder, examining the life of Ray Kroc and the origins of the McDonald's fast-food empire. The hosts discuss the reality versus the dramatization of the events surrounding the creati…

  • 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down discusses the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark, analyzing its influences from real-life explorers, mythical artifacts like the Ark of the Covenant, and its standing as an action-adventure classi…

  • 'Finding Neverland' (2004)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down delves into the real story behind J.M. Barrie and his creation, Peter Pan. It questions the inspirations, explores potential darkness, and investigates Barrie's personal life and the origins of t…

  • 'The Conjuring' (2013)

    The podcast That's Not How It Went Down discusses the film 'The Conjuring' (2013), examining its connections to historical events and the real-life inspirations behind the haunting.

  • 'The Salt Path' (2024)

    The podcast 'That's Not How It Went Down' investigates claims surrounding the bestselling book 'The Salt Path,' examining the author's story, the financial difficulties, and the identities of the protagonists.

  • 'Erin Brockovich' (2000)

    This episode of 'That's Not How It Went Down' examines the Erin Brockovich case, exploring the California groundwater contamination scandal, the accuracy of its portrayal in the film, and the real-life impact on the affected community.

  • 'Training Day' (2001)

    This episode of 'That's Not How It Went Down' reviews the 2001 film 'Training Day,' examining the LAPD scandal involving corrupt officers, bank robbery, and the investigation into Officer Alonzo Harris's alleged ties to street gangs and fr…

  • 'The Karate Kid' (1984)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down delves into the true events behind The Karate Kid (1984), including the internment of Japanese Americans post-WWII, the influence of martial arts in media, and parallels between actor Pat Morita'…

  • ‘Rush’ (2013)

    This episode reviews the 2013 film 'Rush', discussing whether it accurately portrays the rivalry between Lauda and Hunt and questioning its status as a "true story" despite being marketed as such.

  • ‘Captain Phillips’ (2013)

    This episode of 'That's Not How It Went Down' discusses the 2009 Maersk Alabama hijacking by Somali pirates, examining the event's impact on cargo ship personnel safety and the subsequent memoir and film. The hosts question the captain's a…

  • 'All About Eve' (1950)

    That's Not How It Went Down discusses the 1950 film 'All About Eve', examining its themes of paranoia, subterfuge, and aging. The episode questions the truth behind the story of an ingenue and her idol, including specific plot points and B…

  • 'Nyad' (2023)

    This episode discusses Diana Nyad's persistent attempts to swim from Cuba to Florida over 30 years. It questions whether her determination constitutes insanity or perseverance, considering the extreme difficulties like jellyfish and sharks…

  • 'A Beautiful Mind' (2001)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down analyzes the historical accuracy of the film 'A Beautiful Mind.' It questions the portrayal of mathematician John Nash, including events like imagining a roommate and appearing on the cover of Fo…

  • 'Moneyball' (2011)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down sees hosts unfamiliar with baseball discuss the movie Moneyball. They explore the Oakland Athletics' innovative use of player data, Billy Beane's reported superstitions, and the contentious natur…

  • ‘Valkyrie’ (2008)

    This episode of That's Not How It Went Down analyzes the historical accuracy of the film ‘Valkyrie,’ exploring details about von Stauffenberg, the assassination attempt on Hitler, and the potential impact of historical deviations.

  • ‘Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves’ (1991)

    The podcast episode reviews the 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves', analyzing its historical accuracy and deviations from the legend. It questions the origins of Robin of Loxley and the significance of his tree.