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?

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Produced by 2020 Recordings

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20 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes20

Newest first

Tuesday · 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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 19 · 59 min
'Battle of the Sexes' (2017)
Thank you ladies and gentlemen, players are ready... to analyse 2017's sport/comedy/drama/docu movie of the now infamous "Battle of the Sexes". Although today finds tennis as one of the world's only major sports offering equal prize money between its male and female competitors, that doesn't mean that the journey to reaching parity was an easy one. And netting two of Hollywood's biggest stars to serve up spot on portrayals of Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs is certainly to this film's advantage. But how true is the depiction of this landmark moment in women's sporting history? Did Billie Jean threaten to boycott tournaments? Was Bobby Riggs truly such a chauvinist? And did Billie Jean really present Bobby with a pig?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 12 · 59 min
'Deepwater Horizon' (2016)
We return to the ocean this week and tackle our first true disaster movie. The oil spill from this tragedy still causes damage to this day, and even though we can probably all draw a basic picture of what an oil rig looks like, how much do we really know about how they work and what they do? Fortunately, that's not officially our job - but it was the job of many aboard this rig in the Gulf of Mexico and the failings that occurred were not solely down to bad luck. Why was this disaster not failsafe prevented? Who was really to blame? And does anyone care what BP think of the film?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 5 · 58 min
'Heat' (1995)
The heat is on this week as we go undercover in LA. If you combine the talents of two of Hollywood's most legendary actors with an up and coming director then… WHADDYA GOT?! Potentially one of the greatest crime movies ever made. But is that where the story ends or is there more truth to discover about a band of renegade crooks and the stop-at-nothing cops on their tail? Perhaps the DVD extras on "Heat" will have the answers. Who is Vincent Hanna based on? Was there a real Neil McCauley? And did the bank job really go south so quickly?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 28 · 1 hr
'Philomena' (2013)
It's borderline offensive that it's taken eighty episodes until we explore a film starring the legend that is Dame Judi, but not nearly as offensive as some of the wrongs suffered by the character she portrays. We don't have to work too hard to find a film exploring controversy involving the Catholic church, but this story only really came to light within the last quarter century and even now, people continue to struggle for answers and reparations. How did this corridor to bring Irish children to the US get established? When did her son first start looking for her? And what was the defining moment in making this connection?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 21 · 1 hr 1 min
'The Warriors' (1979)
Today we're on home turf as we take to the streets in gangland New York. For a movie as colourful, comic book-esque and downright bizarre as 1979's "The Warriors" the idea that this could be based on true events feels like a step too far. But with the release of the director's cut in 2005 came a new opening scene revealing that this story isn't just inspired by the warring factions of NYC's various boroughs, but takes its story from a classic tale of endurance from ancient history. Was there really a conference of gangs in New York City? Was one group forced to fight their way back through enemy lines? And did someone really ask "can you dig it"?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 14 · 54 min
'The Devil Wears Prada' (2006)
Is that all? Maybe not... Miranda Priestley's presence on various lists of the best movie villains may seem unconventional but it's safe to assume it wouldn't be the case were it not for the clout of Meryl Streep. And to a lesser extent, the rest of the cast have allowed this film to endure longer than many may have expected. But the fact the original story here was penned by someone who experienced a similar workplace culture in the world of fashion means much more of this villainy may have existed prior to Streep's ingenious touch. How demanding was this woman? Was Nigel her loyal companion? And are high heels compulsory in high fashion magazine offices? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 7 · 1 hr 1 min
'Seabiscuit' (2003)
Could the world's greatest underdog story really be about… a horse? With the United States reeling from the hammer blow of the Great Depression, millions found themselves out of work and out of luck. But with the appearance in the mid-30s of an unusual steed with crooked legs and "baseball glove knees" the American public found the unlikeliest of heroes. Whilst Seabiscuit may not be considered the most natural racehorse of all time, his ability to dig in and come through in times of struggle catapulted him and his team to stardom at a time when people needed him most. And what of the Oscar-nominated movie that told the story of the three most influential men in Seabiscuit's life? Can it really be said that this underdog story is true? Where did Tom Smith discover Seabiscuit? Was Red Pollard truly so accident-prone? And can a horse really have an autograph?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 31 · 58 min
'American Gangster' (2007)
After cementing his place in the action/thriller genre with an Oscar for his performance as the corrupt Alonzo Harris, Denzel Washington began a period of starring in an action film almost every year for the next decade and a half. Whilst always brilliant in whatever he does, there is one film from this collection that is held in a similar regard to 2001's Training Day, and it's probably unsurprising that it shares similar themes. As we found with Catch Me If You Can, stories that end with cooperation between a criminal and their pursuer can sometimes be exaggerated but so long as you stick to the theatrical cut of this film, we can keep our focus on the journey that leads to this conclusion. Did Frank Lucas really establish the 'Cadaver Connection'? How much of Ritchie Roberts' actions actually occurred? And was there money under the doghouse..? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 24 · 58 min
'Marley & Me' (2008)
They say that a man's best friend is his dog. But surely a filmmaker's best bet is to avoid our four-legged pals. The danger of unpredictability, lack of potty training and a tendency to lean into the sentimentality of pet owning are surely all reasons to steer clear of a canine-centric picture. The challenge of movies like Turner & Hooch, Air Bud and Beethoven all providing evidence that you can't teach an old dog new tricks... but what about a new one? John Grogan's smash-hit memoir "Marley & Me", which spent an incredible 76 weeks on the bestseller chart telling the story of "the worst dog in the world", was hounded down by movie execs and turned into a surprise Christmas hit in 2008. But how accurate to history can a comedy starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston really be? Was Marley actually known as "Clearance Dog"? Were they kicked out of puppy training sessions? And what's the best way to clean a gold necklace?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 17 · 59 min
'The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It' (2021)
Here we are again. The Warrens - this time back on US soil after virtually zero involvement in Enfield - become major instigators, rather than investigators, in the explanation for the brutal murder of Alan Bono in 1981. Again, this film retelling is determined to showcase the brilliant work the Warrens did and the help they offered to poor suffering souls in need of demonic liberation, but again again, when we remove the testimony of these two (insert synonym of choice for 'charlatans'), what are we left with? Even after a Netflix documentary containing interviews from the people affected was released in 2023, there is still more to uncover in what is undoubtedly the least scary film of the franchise so far. Did Ed Warren have a heart attack? What actually happened in court? And who on earth wants a second hand waterbed?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.