18 episodes

Welcome to Inspired By A True Story, where our award-winning podcast hosts and film critics discuss the genuine details that have inspired some of the most memorable true crime movies around. Inspiration is far different than being based on a true story, so each episode will break down the crime or crimes that inspired a specific film, and then discuss how factual that film is, versus how much is simply Hollywood magic.

Inspired by a true story is now available to listen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app, or you can always find episodes at Inspiredbyatruestory.com.

As fans, we all deserve to know how TRUE our true crime is, so take a listen to Inspired by a True Story, and let’s keep those artists honest.

Inspired By A True Story The Hollywood Outsider

    • True Crime
    • 4.8 • 12 Ratings

Welcome to Inspired By A True Story, where our award-winning podcast hosts and film critics discuss the genuine details that have inspired some of the most memorable true crime movies around. Inspiration is far different than being based on a true story, so each episode will break down the crime or crimes that inspired a specific film, and then discuss how factual that film is, versus how much is simply Hollywood magic.

Inspired by a true story is now available to listen and subscribe on your favorite podcast app, or you can always find episodes at Inspiredbyatruestory.com.

As fans, we all deserve to know how TRUE our true crime is, so take a listen to Inspired by a True Story, and let’s keep those artists honest.

    Mississippi Burning - Inspired by the Murders of James Earl Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner

    Mississippi Burning - Inspired by the Murders of James Earl Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner

    June, 1964. Three young men took part in Freedom Summer, a 3 month initiative to register black people in the South to vote. Then suddenly, they went missing.
    In 1988, director Alan Parker recreated these events in a phenomenal film that became nominated for Best Picture, and starred the talents of Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, and Gene Hackman.
    It’s hard to believe, but this was only 60 years ago, and Mississippi Burning was indeed inspired by a true story.
    Welcome to Inspired By A True Story, a podcast where every two weeks, our award-winning hosts and film critics discuss the genuine details that have inspired some of the most memorable true crime movies around. Each episode will break down the crime or crimes that inspired a specific film, and then discuss how factual that film is, versus how much is simply Hollywood magic.
    Two FBI Agents with wildly different styles arrive in Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of three civil rights activists.
    Email your thoughts on this episode and/or suggestions of films to cover to Inspired@TheHollywoodOutsider.com
    Listen to all episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.thehollywoodoutsider.com/inspired-by-a-true-story/
    Subscribe: 
    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    RSS Feed
    Support the podcast and gain early access to episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.patreon.com/thehollywoodoutsider
    "Southern Gothic" and other music provided by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    • 59 min
    Bernie - Inspired by the Murder of Marjorie Nugent by Bernhardt Tiede II

    Bernie - Inspired by the Murder of Marjorie Nugent by Bernhardt Tiede II

    In 1990, a widow meets a kindly young man at her husband’s funeral, and the two immediately kick up an engrossing friendship. This man eventually takes on the widow’s entire multimillion dollar estate, up and 6 years later, when a body is found in a deep freezer. 
    In 2011, director Richard Linklater takes on the task of painting Bernie Tiede in the most positive of lights, under the darkest of circumstances, complete with talents such as Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, and Matthew McConaughey. 
    Be mindful of who you leave your millions to, because BERNIE was inspired by a true story. 
    Welcome to Inspired By A True Story, a podcast where every two weeks, our award-winning hosts and film critics discuss the genuine details that have inspired some of the most memorable true crime movies around. Each episode will break down the crime or crimes that inspired a specific film, and then discuss how factual that film is, versus how much is simply Hollywood magic.
    In small-town Texas, an affable mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when she starts to become controlling, he goes to great lengths to separate himself from her grasp.
    Email your thoughts on this episode and/or suggestions of films to cover to Inspired@TheHollywoodOutsider.com
    Listen to all episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.thehollywoodoutsider.com/inspired-by-a-true-story/
    Subscribe: 
    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    RSS Feed
    Support the podcast and gain early access to episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.patreon.com/thehollywoodoutsider
    "Southern Gothic" and other music provided by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    • 49 min
    The Town That Dreaded Sundown - Inspired by the Texarkana Moonlight Murders

    The Town That Dreaded Sundown - Inspired by the Texarkana Moonlight Murders

    February 22, 1946. A young couple in Texarkana, Texas pull over for a little loving, and  are forced out of their car by a man wearing a hood with two slits for eyes. The carnage that followed terrified an entire community for months, and eventually became known as the Moonlight Murders.  
    In 1976, Director Charles B Pierce recreates these crimes in a quasi documentary style. Be mindful where you park your car for necking, because The Town that Dreaded Sundown was inspired by a true story.
    This is the truth of the crimes behind 1976's The Town that Dreaded Sundown, which was indeed inspired by a true story.
    Welcome to Inspired By A True Story, a podcast where every two weeks, our award-winning hosts and film critics discuss the genuine details that have inspired some of the most memorable true crime movies around. Each episode will break down the crime or crimes that inspired a specific film, and then discuss how factual that film is, versus how much is simply Hollywood magic.
    A hooded killer terrorizes Texarkana, Arkansas in 1946, murdering several innocents before he finally stopped. This masked butcher was never caught. This is a dramatic recreation of those true-life events, also known as the Moonlight Murders and the Phantom Killer. 
    Email your thoughts on this episode and/or suggestions of films to cover to Inspired@TheHollywoodOutsider.com
    Listen to all episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.thehollywoodoutsider.com/inspired-by-a-true-story/
    Subscribe: 
    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    RSS Feed
    Support the podcast and gain early access to episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.patreon.com/thehollywoodoutsider
    "Southern Gothic" and other music provided by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    • 59 min
    The Sound of Freedom - Inspired by Tim Ballard and Operation Triple Take

    The Sound of Freedom - Inspired by Tim Ballard and Operation Triple Take

    The Sound of Freedom was based on events in 2014, when a former Department of Homeland Security agent partners with Columbian authorities for an undercover sting targeting traffickers of children sold into sex slavery.
    In 2023, Jim Caviezel stars as this man, Tim Ballard, in a dramatic reenactment of this operation, which brought with it millions in box office success, and plenty of controversy.
    Keep an eye on your children, because The Sound of Freedom was indeed inspired by a true story. 
    Welcome to Inspired By A True Story, a podcast where every two weeks, our award-winning hosts and film critics discuss the genuine details that have inspired some of the most memorable true crime movies around. Each episode will break down the crime or crimes that inspired a specific film, and then discuss how factual that film is, versus how much is simply Hollywood magic.
    The Sound of Freedom is the incredible true story of a former government agent named Tim Ballard turned vigilante who embarks on a dangerous mission to rescue hundreds of children from traffickers by setting up an island for pedophiles.
    Email your thoughts on this episode and/or suggestions of films to cover to Inspired@TheHollywoodOutsider.com
    Listen to all episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.thehollywoodoutsider.com/inspired-by-a-true-story/
    Subscribe: 
    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    RSS Feed
    Support the podcast and gain early access to episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.patreon.com/thehollywoodoutsider
    "Southern Gothic" and other music provided by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    • 1 hr 7 min
    The Amityville Horror - Inspired by George and Kathy Lutz, and the Ronald DeFeo Jr. Murders

    The Amityville Horror - Inspired by George and Kathy Lutz, and the Ronald DeFeo Jr. Murders

    November 13, 1974. Amityville, Long Island. A man, Ronald DeFeo Jr., bursts into a bar screaming that his parents have been shot. What the police later find in this man’s home will terrify and haunt an entire community.
    One year later, George and Kathleen "Kathy" Lutz move their family into that same home, and almost immediately begin to notice strange occurrences throughout the property, including a voice telling them to GET OUT. But how much of what they claimed actually happened in that house?
    Be careful of that sweet real estate deal, because The Amityville Horror was inspired by a true story.
    Welcome to Inspired By A True Story, a podcast where every two weeks, our award-winning hosts and film critics discuss the genuine details that have inspired some of the most memorable true crime movies around. Each episode will break down the crime or crimes that inspired a specific film, and then discuss how factual that film is, versus how much is simply Hollywood magic.
    George and Kathy Lutz, along with their three children, move into a large house where a mass murder was committed. Almost immediately, they start to experience strange, inexplicable manifestations which have strong effects on everyone living in or visiting the house. Including priests and nuns. Starring James Brolin, Margot Kidder and Rod Steiger, and directed by Stuart Rosenberg. Based on the book The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson.
    Email your thoughts on this episode and/or suggestions of films to cover to Inspired@TheHollywoodOutsider.com
    Listen to all episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.thehollywoodoutsider.com/inspired-by-a-true-story/
    Support the podcast and gain early access to episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.patreon.com/thehollywoodoutsider
    "Southern Gothic" and other music provided by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    • 1 hr 12 min
    Captain Phillips - Inspired by the Maersk Alabama Hijacking

    Captain Phillips - Inspired by the Maersk Alabama Hijacking

    April 8, 2009. The U.S. cargo ship Maersk Alabama disembarks on a journey to Kenya, led by Captain Phillips. It would not arrive as scheduled due to an attack by Somali pirates, that would lead to several people dead. 
    In 2013, Tom Hanks takes on the role of Captain Richard Phillips in a film that garnered 6 Oscar nominations and left everyone pointing and saying, I'm the Captain now. 
    Be careful where you take a cruise, because Captain Phillips was inspired by a true story. 
    Welcome to Inspired By A True Story, a podcast where every two weeks, our award-winning hosts and film critics discuss the genuine details that have inspired some of the most memorable true crime movies around. Each episode will break down the crime or crimes that inspired a specific film, and then discuss how factual that film is, versus how much is simply Hollywood magic.
    Captain Phillips retells the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates. The film focuses on the relationship between the Alabama's commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks), and the Somali pirate captain, Muse (Barkhad Abdi), who takes him hostage. 
    Email your thoughts on this episode and/or suggestions of films to cover to Inspired@TheHollywoodOutsider.com
    Listen to all episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.thehollywoodoutsider.com/inspired-by-a-true-story/
    Support the podcast and gain early access to episodes of Inspired By A True Story at https://www.patreon.com/thehollywoodoutsider
    "Southern Gothic" and other music provided by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
    Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
    http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    • 49 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
12 Ratings

12 Ratings

BrianWms ,

More please!

True crime + movies are two of my favorites topics and they are rolled into one. “Inspired By A True Story” carves out a wonderful niche amongst an forest of true crime podcasts. It’s always a great surprise learning a movie I’m familiar with was actually based on true events. Keep up the great work!

y-e-a-h ,

Awesome podcast!

I listen to this the minute a new episode comes out. I love true crime, and this is just pure enjoyment for me. Highly recommended!

Ghost Pepper Nate ,

Entertaining and great breakdown

Good podcast and I like the movies but never think of the origin stories that caused them. Thanks for the content and respect for the victims that the movies may have not given

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