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Based on a True Story

Dan LeFebvre

We've all seen movies that claim to be 'based on a true story', but have you ever wondered how accurate they are? That's what we'll find out as we compare Hollywood with history.

  1. The Terror with Rich Napolitano

    6d ago

    The Terror with Rich Napolitano

    What really happened to Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition, and how much of AMC’s The Terror is grounded in the historical record? Today we're joined by Rich Napolitano, host of Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs, to compare the TV series with the real story of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, from the search for the Northwest Passage to the evidence historians have uncovered about the crew’s fate. Links Shipwrecks and Sea DogsLost Franklin Expedition w/NEW UPDATESDr. John RaeThe Terror (TV Series) Chapters 0:00 Intro to The Terror 2:12 Two Truths and a Lie 4:08 Meet Rich Napolitano 7:22 The Real Franklin Expedition 20:06 Stuck in the Arctic Ice 33:42 Food, Disease, and Survival 47:41 The Terror’s Supernatural Twist 59:18 How the Expedition Ended Support My Work Support my sponsorsBecome a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)Join the BOATS DiscordGet the BOATS email newsletterEmail me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    2h 2m
  2. The Legend of Bagger Vance with Steven Pressfield

    May 28

    The Legend of Bagger Vance with Steven Pressfield

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 385) — Have you ever wondered how much of The Legend of Bagger Vance is rooted in history? Steven Pressfield, author of the 1995 novel that inspired the 2000 film, joins Based on a True Story to unpack the story’s connections to the Bhagavad Gita, the real-life golfing legends Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, and the choices Hollywood made when bringing the book to the screen. They also explore Steven’s approach to writing historical fiction and his latest novel, The Arcadian. Guest Links The Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven PressfieldThe Arcadian by Steven PressfieldSteven Pressfield's Website Chapters 0:00 Intro and movie synopsis 2:43 Meet Steven Pressfield 5:35 Is Bagger Vance based on history? 11:32 Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, and real golf history 18:07 The missing 10 years after World War I 27:18 What the movie changed from the book 40:02 Writing historical fiction with Steven Pressfield 52:06 The Arcadian and final thoughts Support my work Support my sponsorsBecome a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)Join the BOATS DiscordGet the BOATS email newsletterEmail me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.comGet my video podcasting classSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    44 min
  3. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood with John Barker

    Apr 6

    Once Upon a Time in Hollywood with John Barker

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 384) — Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood tells a tale of alternative history. In this episode, we'll separate the film’s fairy-tale storytelling from the real history behind the Manson murders, Sharon Tate, Bruce Lee, Steve McQueen, and the Hollywood of 1969. Listen to All the Right Movies John's podcast breaks down the history of Hollywood, one film at a time. Check out All the Right Movies to learn all about the work that went into making movies, how much of it works, and more. More from All the Right Movies Find all the episodes: https://alltherightmovies.com/All the Right Movies episode for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: https://www.patreon.com/posts/atrm-classic-111-152929056Facts about the movie: https://alltherightmovies.com/feature/45-interesting-and-golden-age-facts-about-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood/ Mentioned in the Episode John Neal Phillips on 1967's Bonnie and Clyde: https://links.boatspodcast.com/195 Chapters 0:00 Intro and historical accuracy 4:15 Tarantino’s fairy-tale approach 11:25 Rick, Cliff, and Sharon Tate 18:40 Hollywood in the late 1960s 28:30 Steve McQueen and The Great Escape 36:20 Bruce Lee, Sharon Tate, and Spahn Ranch 49:10 The Manson Family and Cielo Drive 58:45 The film’s alternate ending 1:04:20 Final thoughts and ATRM Support my work Support my sponsorsBecome a BOATS ProducerEmail me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    45 min
  4. The Manhattan Project in Oppenheimer with Alice Lovejoy

    Feb 17

    The Manhattan Project in Oppenheimer with Alice Lovejoy

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 383) — Did the Oppenheimer movie get the Manhattan Project right? Today, we'll dig into the film's portrayal of the project. From the Los Alamos we see in the movie to what we don't see in the movie such as Oak Ridge's massive factories, Hanford's plutonium production, and more that you don't ever see in the movie. Get Alice's book Alice Lovejoy is the author of Tales of Militant Chemistry, film scholar, and a professor at the University of Minnesota. She'll join us today to unravel the true story behind the Manhattan Project in the movie. Find more of Alice's work Army Film and the Avant GardeRemapping Cold War MediaVisit Alice's websiteFollow Alice on BlueskyFollow Alice on Instagram Listen to the other BOATS episode on Oppenheimer Chapters 00:00 Manhattan Project Overview 04:50 Uranium vs. Plutonium Bombs 09:45 Scale of the Project 15:28 Einstein's Role 20:42 Trinity Test Depiction 25:04 Radiation Concerns 30:51 Project's End & Legacy 33:52 Post-War Impacts Support my work Support my sponsorsBecome a BOATS ProducerEmail me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    55 min
  5. Oppenheimer

    Jan 30

    Oppenheimer

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 382) — Join me in this throwback style BOATS episode without any guests. It'll just be you and I learning about the true story behind 2023's Oppenheimer. Was the poisoned apple scene real? How well was the Trinity Test portrayed on screen? What does the movie leave out from Oppenheimer's life? If you've seen the movie and wondered what really happened, this episode is your guided tour through the history behind the film. Chapters 0:00 Intro, synopsis & Two Truths and a Lie 3:30 Prometheus myth and poisoned apple story 10:15 Oppenheimer’s education in Europe and early career 18:40 Relationships with Jean Tatlock and Kitty Oppenheimer 28:20 FBI surveillance, communism fears, and the Manhattan Project scale 39:10 Trinity Test, “I am become Death,” and bombing Japan 51:00 Meeting President Truman and the Strauss feud 1:01:30 Oppenheimer’s fall, later life, and modern reevaluation 1:08:00 Two Truths and a Lie answers & closing Resources American PrometheusTales of Militant Chemistry109 East PalaceRobert Oppenheimer: A Life Inside the CenterJ. Robert Oppenheimer: A LifeAn Atomic Love Story: The Extraordinary Women in Robert Oppenheimer's LifeThe Ruin of J. Robert Oppenheimer If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, you can also find all the links at https://links.boatspodcast.com/382 Support My Work Support my sponsorsBecome a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)Join the BOATS DiscordGet the BOATS email newsletterEmail me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    44 min
  6. Classic: King Arthur with Dorsey Armstrong

    Jan 14

    Classic: King Arthur with Dorsey Armstrong

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 381) — My love of history started with the legend of King Arthur. While there are many King Arthur movies to pick from, today we'll learn about the one that marketed itself as being more historically accurate than the others. Dorsey Armstrong on The Great Courses Plus Historian Dorsey Armstrong breaks down the historical accuracy of the 2004 film King Arthur. Learn the true story behind the legends of Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin, the Round Table, and more. Chapters 0:00 Intro 2:30 Movie's Historical Claims 5:10 Sarmatians and Lancelot 10:45 Merlin's Real History 15:20 Woads, Picts, and Round Table 22:00 Christianity and Pelagius 28:15 Final Mission and Freedom 34:50 Guinevere and Ice Battle 40:30 Battle of Badon Hill 45:15 Sword in the Stone 49:00 Legend Surprises 53:30 BOATS Update for 2026 and Outro Support My Work Support my sponsorsBecome a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)Join the BOATS DiscordGet the BOATS email newsletterEmail me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 3m
  7. Captain Phillips with Brian Beckcom

    12/16/2025

    Captain Phillips with Brian Beckcom

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 380) — Today we dive into the 2013 film Captain Phillips directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Tom Hanks—and discover how much of Hollywood's version actually matches the true story of the Maersk Alabama hijacking. Trial attorney Brian Beckcom, who represented the crew of the container ship after the Somali pirate attack, shares accounts of what really happened during this dramatic rescue operation and reveals the major inaccuracies that made it to the screen. Lessons from Leaders with Brian Beckcom Find where to watch the movie Chapters 0:00 Intro 3:38 Today's Movie: Captain Phillips 5:19 The True Context of Somali Piracy 12:17 Why Captain Phillips Made His Fateful Decision 15:46 Security Protocols vs. Hollywood Drama 19:42 The First Pirate Attack 24:43 Pirates Board the Maersk Alabama 30:18 The Crew's True Heroism in the Engine Room 34:29 Captain Phillips' Role in the Crisis 40:35 The Navy Enters the Picture 43:22 The Truth Behind the Rescue Operation 49:47 Captain Phillips' Escape Attempt (Fact vs. Fiction) 54:51 The Final Navy Seal Operation 57:31 About Brian Beckcom's Podcast 59:03 Two Truths and a Lie Answer Support my work Support my sponsorsBecome a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)Join the BOATS DiscordGet the BOATS email newsletterEmail me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.comGet my video podcasting class Note: If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, copy/paste this in your browser to find all the links: https://links.boatspodcast.com/380 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 1m
  8. Beyond Pearl Harbor in the Movies with Joshua Donohue

    12/07/2025

    Beyond Pearl Harbor in the Movies with Joshua Donohue

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 379) — Most movies focus on the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, but the true story of December 7th, 1941, involves a coordinated global offensive across the Pacific. In this episode, history professor Joshua Donohue returns to explore what the movies miss—including attacks on Wake Island, the Philippines, and military installations across Oahu that extended far beyond the harbor itself. From civilian casualties to pilot heroics to the international scope of Japan's ambitious assault, we separate fact from fiction across multiple Pearl Harbor films. Josh's Latest Work Embattled Marines at Air Station Ewa Chapters 0:00 Intro & Two Truths and a Lie Game 3:16 From Here to Eternity: Life Before the Attack 10:20 The Global Scope of Japan's Offensive 12:40 Wake Island Under Siege 20:04 Oahu's Airfields and Widespread Attacks 28:23 American Aircraft in the Air During the Attack 43:20 Civilian Casualties and Friendly Fire 58:23 American Morale and the Movies' Coverage 1:05:02 Pilots Beyond Pearl Harbor 1:11:13 The Final Countdown: What If Scenario 1:22:32 Two Truths and a Lie Answer Reveal Support my work Support my sponsorsBecome a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)Join the BOATS DiscordGet the BOATS email newsletterEmail me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.comGet my video podcasting class Note: If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, copy/paste this in your browser to find all the links: https://links.boatspodcast.com/379 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 25m
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4.5
out of 5
504 Ratings

About

We've all seen movies that claim to be 'based on a true story', but have you ever wondered how accurate they are? That's what we'll find out as we compare Hollywood with history.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan LeFebvre
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    550
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © © LeFebvre LLC
  • Show Website
    Based on a True Story
  • Provider
    LeFebvre, LLC

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