Podcast · History

Based on a True Story

by Dan LeFebvre · English · History

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.

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 9 min
Latest: 1 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

1 Sep 2026 · 44 min

Top Gun with Captain Michael Makatura

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 390) — Captain Michael "Mak" Makatura joins us to break down the historical accuracy of Top Gun (1986). Drawing from his own experience in Central Europe during the Cold War, Mak explains what the movie gets right about fighter pilot culture, competition, and danger — including a real-world parallel to Goose's tragic death. The conversation also covers his book The Fightin' Tenth: Cold War to Desert Storm, chronicling the experiences of the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron from the Cold War through Operation Desert Storm.Guest LinksThe Fightin' Tenth: Cold War…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E389 · 11 Aug 2026 · 54 min
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings with Ben Railton
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 389) — Are you a baseball fan? Today we're digging into some baseball history as it was depicted in the 1976 movie "The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings." Learn about the history of barnstorming baseball teams with Ben Railton, Professor of American Studies at Fitchburg State University. We'll discuss how the movie's characters mirror real legends like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Jackie Robinson. Ben is the host of the podcast Baseball, Bigotry and the Battle for America and author of Of Thee I Sing: Race and American Patriotism.Guest…
E388 · 31 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
The Odyssey with Neil Laird
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 388) — Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (2026) brings Homer’s epic journey to the screen as we follow Matt Damon’s Odysseus from the Trojan War through monsters, sirens, and a long road home. In this episode, we'll learn from author and former documentary filmmaker Neil Laird about the historical accuracy of the movie and how well it ties into Homer’s Odyssey.Guest LinksPrime Time Troy: https://links.boatspodcast.com/388troyPrime Time Pompeii: https://links.boatspodcast.com/388pompeiiPrime Time Travelers: https://links.boatspodcast.com/388travelersNeil Laird's…
E387 · 7 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 30 min
Memphis Belle with Joshua Donohue
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 387) — How accurate is the 1990 movie Memphis Belle? Military historian Joshua Donohue returns to Based on a True Story to break down what the movie gets right, where Hollywood takes liberties, and what the real crew of the Memphis Belle actually experienced during World War II.Guest LinksJosh's YouTube = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387guestJosh's Wake Island Article = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387wakearticleJosh's Pearl Harbor Article = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387ewaarticleOther MentionsFind where to watch the movie =…
E386 · 18 Jun 2026 · 2 hr 2 min
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.LinksShipwrecks and Sea DogsLost Franklin Expedition w/NEW UPDATESDr. John RaeThe Terror (TV Series)Chapters0:00 Intro to The Terror2:12 Two Truths and a Lie4:08 Meet Rich Napolitano7:22 The Real Franklin…
E385 · 28 May 2026 · 44 min
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 LinksThe Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven PressfieldThe Arcadian by Steven…
E384 · 6 Apr 2026 · 45 min
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 MoviesJohn'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 MoviesFind all the episodes:…
E383 · 17 Feb 2026 · 55 min
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 bookAlice 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…
E382 · 30 Jan 2026 · 44 min
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.Chapters0:00 Intro, synopsis & Two Truths and a Lie3:30 Prometheus myth and poisoned apple story10:15 Oppenheimer’s education in Europe and…
E381 · 14 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
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 PlusHistorian 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.Chapters0:00 Intro2:30 Movie's Historical Claims5:10 Sarmatians and Lancelot10:45 Merlin's Real History15:20…
E380 · 16 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
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 BeckcomFind where to watch the movieChapters0:00 Intro3:38 Today's…
E379 · 7 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 25 min
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…
E378 · 25 Nov 2025 · 52 min
Nuremberg with Jack El-Hai
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 378) — Discover the historical accuracy behind the 2025 film "Nuremberg" which is adapted from Jack El-Hai's book "The Nazi and the Psychiatrist."Get Jack's Book: The Nazi and the PsychiatristLearn about the real Dr. Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) and his complex relationship with Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe) during the historic Nuremberg trials. What did the filmmakers get right and what did they change from the true story? Tune in to find out!Also MentionedJack El-Hai Official WebsiteNuremberg (2025 Film)22 Cells in Nuremberg by Douglas KelleyHowie Trieste's…
E377 · 18 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 20 min
Feud: Bette and Joan with Scott Eyman
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 377) — The first season of FX’s “Feud” chronicles the turbulent making of the 1962 thriller “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” Over eight episodes set against Hollywood's fading Golden Age, “Feud” focuses on a simmering resentment between aging stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, on-set clashes over performances and camera work, and the film’s premiere.Get Scott's bookWhere to watch Feud To help us separate fact from fiction in the series today is Scott Eyman, whose new biography Joan Crawford: A Woman’s Face reveals Crawford’s journey from orphan to screen…
E376 · 7 Oct 2025 · 3 hr 38 min
Project Blue Book
Project Blue Book was a U.S. Air Force program (1952–1969) to scientifically investigate UFO reports.
E375 · 18 Sep 2025 · 59 min
Donald Rumsfeld in the Movies with William Cooper
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 375) — Donald Rumsfeld served as the U.S. Secretary of Defense twice in his career, including during the 9/11 attacks. Today, we'll learn how the movies "Vice", "W." bring a fictional portrayal of Rumsfeld. We'll also look into the accuracy of the documentary "The Unknown Known" which interviews Rumsfeld himself.⁠Get William's book⁠Separating fact from fiction for us today is William Cooper, whose new historical fiction novel "The Trial of Donald H. Rumsfeld" is available now.⁠Where to watch Vice⁠⁠Where to watch W.⁠⁠Where to watch The Unknown Known⁠Answer…
E374 · 2 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 27 min
Young Guns II with Josh from The Wild West Extravaganza
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 374) — Today we'll rejoin Billy the Kid's outlaw gang as they continue their attempts to escape the law following the events in Young Guns (BOATS EP. 146). Was Brushy Bill Roberts a real person? Was he Billy the Kid? What other creative liberties did the filmmakers take in telling the true story of Billy the Kid? Where to watch Young Guns II Follow Josh's podcast To help us unravel the historical accuracy of Young Guns II, we'll be joined by Josh, the host of The Wild West Extravaganza podcast. Is Young Guns or Young Guns II a better movie? Share your opinion…
E373 · 19 Aug 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
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…
E372 · 5 Aug 2025 · 1 hr 34 min
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…
E371 · 22 Jul 2025 · 55 min
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…
E370 · 1 Jul 2025 · 1 hr 28 min
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…
E369 · 3 Jun 2025 · 2 hr 4 min
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…
E368 · 13 May 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
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 bookWhere 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,…
E367 · 29 Apr 2025 · 1 hr 19 min
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" nowHelping 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 bookAlso 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…
E366 · 15 Apr 2025 · 59 min
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" nowIn 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…
E365 · 2 Apr 2025 · 1 hr 58 min
Black Hawk Down with Joshua Donohue
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 365) — Discover the behind-the-scenes story of Black Hawk Down, as historian Josh Donohue shares insights on the chaotic 1993 mission in Mogadishu. Learn what truly happened versus what Hollywood depicted.Subscribe to Josh's YouTube channelJosh has been on the podcast before to cover the historical accuracy of Thirteen Days and We Were Soldiers, and he's currently working on a new YouTube channel. Where to watch Black Hawk Down nowMentioned in this episode Josh's YouTube channel Josh's article: Heroic Fight for Wake Island Son of Wake Island Book Josh and the…
E364 · 18 Mar 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
The Bridge on the River Kwai with Jon Parshall
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 364) — Acclaimed historian Jon Parshall separates fact from fiction in the classic film "The Bridge on the River Kwai" and the brutal realities of the Thai-Burma Railway during World War II, also known as the Death Railway. We'll contrast the film's fictional Colonel Nicholson with his real-life counterpart Lieutenant Colonel Philip Toosey, who sabotaged bridge construction when possible rather than cooperating with the Japanese.Follow Jon's new book at 1942book.comJon Parshall is an award-winning author who has worked as a historical consultant on numerous…
E363 · 4 Mar 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Behind the True Story: She Wanted To Do Everything with Robyn Flanery
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 363) — In today’s Behind the True Story episode, we take a closer look at the career of award-winning director and producer Robyn Flanery.Robyn's latest project, the documentary series "Profit Over People," explores the failure of the U.S. healthcare system. She previously directed the critically acclaimed documentary "Broken Worlds: The Island" and has worked behind the scenes on historical films such as "The Butler" and "Dallas Buyers Club." Her credits also include major fictional productions like "Django Unchained" and "Planet of the Apes."Find Robyn's…
E362 · 17 Feb 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
The Pinkertons Part 3 with Rob Hilliard
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 362) — Author Rob Hilliard joins us to bring "The Pinkertons" miniseries to a close by covering episodes 15 through 22 of the TV show. From John Scobell and Kate Warne to Allan and Will Pinkerton, Rob's book takes what we know from history and fills in many of the blanks with a thrilling narrative.Grab your copy of "In Freedom's Shadow" Also mentioned in this episode Learn more about Dr. Mary Walker Transcript and more for this episode Find the rest of "The Pinkertons" miniseries Listen to "Tombstone with Tom Clavin" Did you enjoy this episode? Watch the…
E361 · 10 Feb 2025 · 1 hr
The Pinkertons Part 2 with Rob Hilliard
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 361) — We're continuing a look at "The Pinkertons" by covering episodes eight to 14 of the TV show. Find part one linked here. Coming back for today's episode is "In Freedom's Shadow" author Rob Hilliard. Rob's book is a historical novel based on the incredibly true story of Pinkertons operative John Scobell. Mentioned in this episode Get your copy of Rob's book "In Freedom's Shadow" Transcript and more for this episode Find the rest of "The Pinkertons" miniseries Did you enjoy this episode? Watch the credits roll Unlock ad-free episodes Get the BOATS email…

About Based on a True Story

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.

Based on a True Story is a English history podcast from Dan LeFebvre. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Dan LeFebvre
Language: English
Category: History
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 9 min
Latest episode: 1 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1099478699

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