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Based on a True Story

Dan LeFebvre
  • 4.5 (498)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. AUG 19

    Amelia with Chris Williamson

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 373) — Learn about legendary aviator Amelia Earhart as she was portrayed onscreen by Hilary Swank in the 2009 biopic. To uncover the true story, today we'll talk with author, documentarian, and host of Chasing Earhart , the only podcast dedicated entirely to Amelia Earhart: Chris Williamson. Where to watch Amelia Get Chris's book Chris Williamson has an array of work with the Chasing Earhart Project, including the book "Rabbit Hole: The Vanishing of Amelia Earhart & Fred Noonan." Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:15 Movie synopsis 00:02:13 Two truths and a lie 00:03:27 Interview 01:09:02 Two truths and a lie answer Also mentioned in this episode Chasing Earhart Podcast The Aviator and the Showman by Laurie Gwen Shapiro Chasing Earhart on Facebook Support my work Support my sponsors Become a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes) Join the BOATS Discord Get the BOATS email newsletter Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com Get 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/373 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 17m

  2. AUG 5

    Trail of Vengeance with Rob Hilliard

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 372) — Travel back to the Old West for a tale of revenge, Pinkerton agents, and frontier justice in the wake of the Civil War. One of those former Pinkerton agents in the movie is John Scobell (Gbenga Akinnagbe), making 2025's Trail of Vengeance the first movie to feature John Scobell as one of its main characters. Where to watch Trail of Vengeance  Get Rob's book To help us separate fact from fiction in the movie today is author Rob Hilliard, whose book "In Freedom's Shadow" is a historical novel based on John Scobell. How well does the movie tell us John Scobell's true story? Let's find out! Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:09 Movie synopsis 00:02:05 Two truths and a lie 00:03:18 Interview 01:31:54 Two truths and a lie answer Also mentioned in this episode "The Spy of the Rebellion" by Allan Pinkerton "The Pinkertons" miniseries with Rob Support my work Dan LeFebvre's Getting Started with Video Podcasting Unlock ad-free episodes Support my sponsors ⁠⁠Chat about this episode⁠⁠ ⁠Get the BOATS email newsletter⁠ Talk to a real person ⁠dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com 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/372 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 39m

  3. JUL 22

    Classic: Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story with Matthew Polly

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 371) — How well do you know about the real Bruce Lee? There are a lot of myths that came out of the movie "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" so today we'll pull another classic episode from the Based on a True Story vault. Where to watch Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story ⁠Get Matthew's book⁠ Matthew Polly authored "Bruce Lee: A Life," called the definitive biography by The New York Times. His research revealed Lee's more complex humanity, debunking decades of Hollywood myths. Did you enjoy this episode? Unlock ad-free episodes Get the BOATS email newsletter ⁠Chat about this episode⁠ Support our sponsors 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/371 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr

  4. JUL 1

    Titanic with Mark B. Perry

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 370) — Twentieth Century-Fox's "Titanic" starring Barbara Stanwyck and Clifton Webb claims to draw facts from 1912 congressional inquiries, so how well does it do when we compare it to history? Where to watch Titanic (1953) ⁠Get Mark's book Mark B. Perry is the author of the novel "And Introducing Dexter Gaines: A Novel of Old Hollywood", a tale that transports you back to the time when during the film's production. is a Golden Globe and Emmy-winning screenwriter known for Wonder Years, Law & Order, Picket Fences, and more. A self-proclaimed "ship geek" and founding board member of SS United States Conservancy, he ironically wrote his own Titanic screenplay in 1988—rejected by studios because "nobody cares about the Titanic." Also mentioned in this episode Get Mark's audiobook Walter Lord's A Night to Remember BOATS episode #35 about James Cameron's Titanic SS United States Conservancy Did you enjoy this episode? Unlock ad-free episodes Get the BOATS email newsletter Chat about this episode Support our sponsors 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/370 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 33m

  5. JUN 3

    Classic: Saving Private Ryan with Marty Morgan

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 369) — This Friday marks the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings. Arguably the most popular movie depicting the fighting on the beaches of Normandy is 1998's Saving Private Ryan. Where to watch Saving Private Ryan In this remastered edition of Based on a True Story, we'll compare the movie with what really happened with historian Marty Morgan. What did Saving Private Ryan get right, where did it miss the mark, and hear how the movie has influenced Marty's experiences as a tour guide of the Normandy beaches. Editor's note: This episode was originally recorded in January of 2020. Get Marty's D-Day: A Photography History of the Normandy Invasion Also mentioned in this episode HBO's Band of Brothers Mythbusters on Private Jackson's sniper shot Did you enjoy this episode? Support my work Get the BOATS email newsletter Join the Discord Support my sponsors 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/369 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 9m

  6. MAY 13

    Behind the True Story: Not a Real Enemy with Robert Wolf

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 368) — Go behind the true stories shown in Holocaust movies through the experiences of Robert Wolf's family. Since we'll be talking about the Holocaust, listener discretion is advised. Get Robert's book Where to watch today's movies The Sound of Music (1965) Life is Beautiful (1997) Schindler's List (1993) Walking with the Enemy (2013) Sunshine (1999) Did you enjoy this episode? Support our sponsors Unlock ad-free episodes Get the BOATS email newsletter Join the BOATS community Roll the credits 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/368 Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 28m

  7. APR 29

    John McClane in Die Hard with Patrick O'Donnell

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 367) — Is John McClane a realistic cop or just an action hero with a badge? Yippee-ki-yay, history lovers, let's see if McClane would survive a real Internal Affairs review. Where to watch "Die Hard" now Helping us conduct a review of McClane from the entire Die Hard franchise is retired U.S. police sergeant Patrick O'Donnell, who is now a technical consultant and author of "The Good Collar." Get Patrick's book Also mentioned in this episode Hire Patrick for your next project Listen to the Cops and Writers podcast Did you enjoy this episode? Watch the credits roll Unlock ad-free episodes Get the BOATS email newsletter Leave a comment Support our sponsors Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links. 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/367 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 24m

  8. APR 15

    Troy with Neil Laird

    BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 366) — Homer’s "The Iliad" tells the story of the Trojan War, a tale brought to the big screen in the 2004 film "Troy." But with an ancient epic as its foundation—and Hollywood’s creative liberties—how much of the story is real? Where to watch "Troy" now In this episode, Neil Laird peels back the layers of myth and fiction to uncover the truth. Neil is a multiple Emmy-nominated director and producer of historical films for networks including Discovery, BBC, PBS, and National Geographic. He has produced more than 100 programs worldwide, exploring crumbling Egyptian tombs, lost Mayan cities, and mysterious shipwrecks. He's also the author of his third book called "Prime Time Troy."  Get Neil's latest book Also mentioned in this episode Prime Time Travelers Prime Time Pompeii Prime Time Troy (Coming Soon ...) Homer's The Iliad Did you enjoy this episode? Watch the credits roll Unlock ad-free episodes Get the BOATS email newsletter Leave a comment Support our sponsors Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links. 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/366 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 5m
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4.5
out of 5
498 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 - 2025
  • Episodes
    375
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © LeFebvre LLC
  • Show Website
    Based on a True Story
  • Provider
    LeFebvre, LLC

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