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PODCAST

That"s Not How It Went Down

Lewis Howard & Elliot Fitzpatrick

*Winners of Best TV & Film Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards 2025Many 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?Produced by 2020 Recordings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

tv & film film history

All Episodes

51:22

BONUS: 'Home Alone' (1&2)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/12/23

Much like a year ago, the temptation to bend a holiday classic towards our rules forces us to meet it halfway. Whilst exploring the initial nucleus for these festive mainstays gives us something to talk about, it's when we explore stories that may have even been inspired by the exploits of Harry and Marv, or anecdotes that bear an uncanny similarity to Kevin's situation that we can really indulge. Join us in this bonus episode of That's Not How It Went Down as we expand the brief to speculate on

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55:14

'The Man Who Invented Christmas' (2017)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/12/15

With the festive season upon us once again it seemed fitting to not just look into the veracity of a classic Yuletide movie, but perhaps even the very origins of our modern Christmas itself. There are very few amongst us who won't be aware of the source material for lines such as "Bah! Humbug!" and "God bless us, every one!" but when a movie was produced in 2017 exploring the genesis of Dickens' enduring festive fairytale it seemed ripe material to discuss just how much truth there was on this

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52:45

'In the Heart of the Sea' (2015)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/12/09

He may admit to having a slight fear of the ocean, but that didn't stop Ron Howard tackling the huge budget and epic story that is said to have inspired Herman Melville's Moby Dick. For the 'thalassaphobic' (sic) among us, this film is a challenging watch - and for those that struggle hearing inconsistent accents, this film is a challenging watch. But putting aside petty grievances, pursuing the truth in the vast ocean of Hollywood surrounding such a classic novel is too good to miss. Was there a

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51:29

'Saturday Night Fever' (1977)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/12/02

"Listen to the ground. There is movement all around. There is something goin' down and I can feel it". The iconic opening lyrics to The Bee Gees smash hit, "Night Fever", hint at something of a cultural revolution. With vast swathes of America's youth feeling increasingly hopeless by the end of the 1970s, disco dancing on a Saturday night became a surefire outlet where under the thumb young people could shine. With producers on the hunt for a vehicle for their up-and-coming new star, John Travolta,

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56:29

'Roofman' (2025)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/11/25

As we've explored before, there's a small part of the human psyche that wants the fugitive to escape when we watch crime capers. Maybe not those films where the crimes committed are particularly evil, but how can you not feel for the cheeky and charming Channing Tatum attempting to start a brand new life, whilst hiding in the now nostalgia-inducing Toys "Я" Us? But then again, he did threaten innocent McDonald's employees at gunpoint... Was his escape so seamless? Was his recapture so seamless? And

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58:05

Cheaper By The Dozen (2003)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/11/18

Family movies featuring innumerable children are a dime a dozen. But whilst The Sound of Music, The Swiss Family Robinson and Home Alone might boast extraordinarily large family units, nothing compares to Cheaper by the Dozen. And upon learning that this unfeasibly large clan was based on a real household I felt it was my domestic duty to investigate this unusual brood. Were there really twelve children living under one roof? How did the parents support their litter financially? And what exactly is

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54:39

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1996)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/11/11

It's a common understanding that Disney only look inwardly for their animation film storylines, and most of them are born from a very small nucleus of an idea before taking our imaginations on a journey beyond reality. Occasionally they can be traced to a period in history but few are based on something quite as dark as this 19th century gothic novel, containing quotes such as: "I bear the dungeon within me; within me is winter, ice, and despair; I have darkness in my soul." But why was Victor Hugo

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59:51

The Smashing Machine (2025)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/11/04

Whilst Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson might be the highest earning actor on the planet, there was one genre it seemed he was never destined to grace: drama. Until now, that is. Having recently acquired shares in UFC's parent company, it makes sense that an MMA-themed movie with DJ at the helm would follow. The surprise came on the revelation that he would be telling the true story of a UFC pioneer, dogged by a life of substance abuse and battles with anxiety. But just how accurate was the Smashing

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59:50

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/10/28

After probing the 'true' events of the first film in this franchise, I joked we could simply run the same episode again but add a '2' to the title. But in fairness to James Wan, his follow-up horror attempts to carve new ground instead of copying the same format of the first. But even though we're introduced to new scary characters, they are still somewhat familiar - a crooked man and a demonic female figure taking advantage of a vulnerable family? Ed and Lorraine Warren are here as heroes yet

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59:47

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/10/21

This week we're holding our commandments dear and pledging our allegiance to the truth. The story of a soldier who refuses to bear arms, whilst saving the lives of dozens of his fellow men in one of the bloodiest battles of WWII was seemingly a tale so inspiring that Mel Gibson couldn't pass it by. But in telling the history of a simple carpenter travelling the world treating the injured, was there a chance of straying too far from the truth? Did Desmond give blood just to visit his future wife? Did

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52:24

The Fast and the Furious (2001)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/10/14

Vroom vroom. Long before becoming the outlandish franchise that invited anyone with an action film on their CV, Dom Toretto's car obsessed, tank-top wearing posse of muscles were created from a surprisingly modest beginning. A good magazine article doth not a good film make - at least in the context of 'The Bling Ring' - but as Dom's crew would know, by tweaking one or two components here and there, you'll end up with a much better performing vehicle. How are these races arranged? Is that how you'd

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58:17

'Raging Bull' (1980)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/10/07

It's seconds out… as we step into the ring to give a blow by blow account of one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time. Whilst Jake LaMotta is undoubtedly an all-time boxing great, can the same be said about the man outside the ring? A turbulent childhood, an unlikely rise to middleweight champion of the world and a history of abuse and assault all lie beneath the canvas. Did Jake really take a dive? Was he really sent to prison? And did he really try his hand at stand up comedy? Join

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59:19

'Red Sparrow' (2018)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/09/30

Most CIA personnel when they retire probably explore other avenues as a consultant in the intelligence community, but Jason Matthews described wanting something productive to do and began penning novels inspired by his years of service. One of these was adapted into a 2018 film, starring the constantly impressive Jennifer Lawrence as a spy trained in the methods of seduction to obtain information. But where were these methods learnt? Did they ever work? And is a swimming hat a flattering look..

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58:58

'Chicago' (2002)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/09/23

The 1950s and 60s saw movie musicals sweeping the Oscars. "My Fair Lady", "Gigi", "Oliver!" and more all walked away with Best Picture. But after 1967 we were left with a 35 year wait for the next. Enter Rob Marshall and his ground-breaking smash-hit, "Chicago". But having read about the history of Murderess Row in 1920s Chicago I felt compelled to find the truth behind the razzle-dazzle. Was the real Velma Kelly a cabaret singer? Was the Hungarian the first woman sentenced to death in Chicago? And

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59:29

'300' (2006)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/09/16

"This is Sparta!"... or is it? Long before Zack Snyder polarised the fanbase of the DCEU, he started his career directing adverts, a skill which no doubt informed his style as an action film director. After receiving gentle praise for his 'Army Of The Dead' remake in 2004, he created a visual feast two years later by adapting a graphic novel about six-pack-boasting Spartan warriors. But what accounts do we have of this battle? Where is that Spartan well? And were the Australians as heroic as the

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58:39

'The Founder' (2016)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/09/09

"Now, I know what you're thinkin'. How the heck does a 52-year-old, over-the-hill milkshake-machine salesman build a fast-food empire?" Simple. He capitalises on someone else's readymade formula. But just who exactly was the eponymous "Founder"? Was Ray a beleaguered multi-mix salesman? Did he divorce his wife over dinner? And who really created the Golden Arches?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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59:33

'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/09/02

When you weave a character indirectly inspired by real life explorers at the turn of the 20th century with mythical relics and the villainous fascism of pre-WWII Germany, you end up with possibly the greatest action-adventure film ever made. The gap between mystery and history is part of what makes this story so legendary, but what do we find in that gap? Is the Golden Idol a genuine artefact? Where is the Ark of the Covenant? And should we now assume Indiana Jones is part of the Star Wars canon?

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59:54

'Finding Neverland' (2004)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/08/26

Everybody knows the story of the boy who never grew up. But how many can claim to know about the man behind Peter Pan and the inspirations that brought his imaginings to life? Was the true story filled with joy and laughter or was their more darkness lurking in Peter Pan's shadow? Was there a real-life inspiration for Peter Pan? Was JM Barrie chasing after a widow whilst still married? And was Nana really a Saint Bernard?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See

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59:13

'The Conjuring' (2013)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/08/19

Despite our cynicism, we're compelled to take a look at another film depicting supernatural occurrences. This could be the first of many visits to this franchise, as impressively, almost all of its storylines can be traced back to an historical account of some sort - and deciding which element of those accounts to tackle is half the fun. Who was Bathsheba? Where is the real house? And do all haunted houses just require a bit of DIY?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on

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59:51

'The Salt Path' (2024)

That"s Not How It Went Down ·

2025/08/12

There are very few literary phenomena as unique as "The Salt Path". The 2018 bestseller sold over 2 million copies and put first-time author Raynor Winn and her husband Moth firmly on the map as one of the most inspiriational couples in the country. But following up on an anonymous tip, the oldest newspaper in the world began it's own investigation, culminating in an exposé that would have reverberations throughout the literary and cinematic worlds. Did they really lose their home because of a bad

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