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PODCAST

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel

Real Movies Fake History is hosted by two friends, Gari (the film nerd) and Mel (the history expert), who each episode discuss, debate and laugh about the real history behind diverse and important cinema. We seek to discover the true story behind films apparently based on a true story. With a particular interest in gender and cultural representation, we love nothing more than to speak on how a particular film represents the world around us.

tv & film film history

All Episodes

01:32:57

Gorillas in the Mist

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2026/02/24

This time Gari and Mel critique Gorillas in the Mist, the 1988 true story of primatologist Dian Fossey, whose remarkable conservation work with Mountain Gorillas and unsolved murder have become the stuff of legend. Mel takes us through the true story to learn just how sanitised the movie is compared to the real history. Gari then takes us behind the scenes on the remarkable production where Sigourney Weaver and the crew really filmed with Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda, often taking risks you

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01:46:04

Gladiator

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2026/01/12

This is it. This is the big one. We finally critique Ridley Scott's Oscar winning Gladiator, starring the formidable Russell Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius. He may be a father to a murdered son and a husband to a murdered wife, but does the movie he's starring in hold up after all these years? Mel takes us through the real history of Rome and its gladiatorial combat and gives us the lowdown on the many accurate and inaccurate aspects of the history that's represented. We also get into the

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01:01:38

Nuremberg - Review Show

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2025/12/14

This time we're critiquing the newly released Nuremberg, where Russell Crowe fills the rather large shoes of Nazi leader Herman Göring, who is on trial for a host of appalling crimes against humanity at the newly-established International Military Tribunal. Rami Malek also joins him, playing his eccentic psychiatrist, Douglas Kelley. But is the film any good? We give you the honest appraisal - the movie may be hoping for Oscars, but does it really deliver? Mel also takes us deep into the true

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01:33:47

King Richard

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2025/11/01

We critique the true history behind Will Smith's Oscar winning performance in King Richard, where he plays Richard Williams, the father and coach of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. We talk about the real reason the family moved to Compton, the complexity of the real people that the movie leaves out, and ask ourselves how the movie holds up against the real story. We also fit in a great Rotten Tomatoes game where Mel gets to guess the scores of Will Smith's filmography! If you like the

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29:56

We're Back! Upcoming Episodes | Best and Worst Movies...

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2025/10/06

A big announcement - we're back! In this short chat, we talk about what films we'll be covering in our exciting upcoming episodes so you can be all ready to join us. To warm up, we couldn't help but break down our picks for the BEST and WORST movies of 2025 (so far). If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS

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54:57

Gladiator 2 - Gaz & Mel Review Show

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2024/11/24

Gaz and Mel review one of the biggest blockbusters of 2024, the sequel to the 2000 classic, Gladiator ll. There's a monkey fight, there's a rhino battle, and they even flood the colosseum, but is the movie any good? Is Paul Mescal a good Russell Crowe replacement? How accurate is the movie to the real story? Has Ridley Scott still got the old magic? Listen now to find out. If you like the show, we'd love it if you'd support us and leave us a REVIEW and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify

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01:30:52

Scoop

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2024/10/01

Mel and Gaz critique the true history behind the 2024 Netflix hit Scoop, the compelling story of BBC Newsnight's infamous Prince Andrew interview by Emily Maitlis. We talk about how the real Sam McAlister played her pivtol role, discuss the relationship between Jeffery Epstein and Prince Andrew and the reasons behind how their crimes remained covered up for so long. We also fit in a great Rotten Tomatoes game where Mel gets to guess the scores of some of cinema's great (and no-so-great)

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01:26:33

She Said

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2024/08/30

Mel and Gaz critique the true history behind the 2022 film She Said, the compelling story of how NYT reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey investigated the sexual abuse and misconduct of film producer Harvey Weinstein. We talk about the brave women who inspired the worldwide #metoo movement, discuss the system of enablers that allowed Weinstein to stay in power, and provide insight into the real people. We also fit in a great Rotten Tomatoes game where Mel gets to guess the scores of some of

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56:14

Twisters - Gaz & Mel Review Show

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2024/08/05

Twister-fans, it's time to celebrate. Gaz and Mel review one of the biggest blockbusters of the summer, the sequel to the 1996 disaster classic, Twisters. Yes, there are tornadoes, there are explosions, and there's Glen Powell in a tight white t-shirt, but is the movie any good? Mel speaks to her deep love for the original movie. We dive in to talk performances, plot, and gender roles. Does it create a storm or is it just hot air? And the fun really gets going when we talk about on-screen

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46:29

Gaz & Mel Review Show - The Exorcism

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2024/06/30

Mel and Gaz have watched the Russell Crowe exorcism movie The Exorcism so you don't have to. Really - you don't have to. Let our review do the work for you. Remarkably it is also entirely unrelated to last year's Russell Crowe exorcism movie. But Is it any good, or is it The Worst Movie of the Year? Let's find out! In preperation, Mel has also watched The Exorcist (1973) for the first time this month and she tells us her thoughts. Remember to leave us a REVIEW, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks

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01:23:46

Wicked Little Letters

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2024/06/17

Mel and Gaz return to review the true history behind the foul mouthed Wicked Little Letters, the movie inspired by the true story of the Littlehampton letter scandal. Plenty of cursing ahead as we critique the movie and discuss what life was really like for women in the 1920s, during a time when the suffragettes fought for equal rights. How much of the story is true to the real history? We also play a special Guess the Rotten Tomatoes score where we use the power of A.I. to generate some

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01:51:46

Downfall - The Final Days of Adolf Hitler

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2024/05/14

Discover the true history behind the movie Downfall (2004), the outstanding WW2 film depicting the final days of the Third Reich. On this episode we dive into the real history and discuss Adolf Hitler's drug addiction, his special relationship with Albert Speer, the real story of Hitler's personal secretary, Traudl Junge, and we also find time to critique the highest grossing World War 2 movies of all time. Also stay tuned to the end to hear Gaz provide a good rant about Oppenheimer. If you

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01:30:49

Julie & Julia

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2024/04/09

Discover the true history behind Julie & Julia, the movie inspired by the blogger Julie Powell and infamous chef & author Julia Childs. Does the film still hold up? We discuss the publishing journey of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, talk about the performances of Stanley Tucci and Meryl Streep, discuss the generational gap between each character, and finally, we play the Rotten Tomatoes game for Meryl Streep's filmography! Remember to leave us a REVIEW, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks

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01:36:36

The Two Popes

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2024/03/05

This time hosts Gaz and Mel discover the true history behind Netflix's The Two Popes. We delve into the lives of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis and the fascinating conversations they have. Mel explains how the true story differs from the movie. We also dive into the secret details of how a new Pope is selected during Conclave, talk about the age old debate of conservative vs progressive values, and critique gender representation in the film. Remember to leave us a REVIEW, SHARE, and

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01:30:45

I, Tonya (2017)

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2024/02/05

It's time to get into the details of the true story of the movie I, Tonya, starring Margot Robbie. How accurate is the movie to the true crime? Was Tonya Harding actually involved in the incident? And what effect did the 24 hour news cycle have on the real events? Join us as we extensively critique both the movie and the history behind it. Remember to leave us a REVIEW, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS WEB: www.realmoviesfakehistory.com FOLLOW:

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01:27:38

Napoleon (2023)

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2023/12/18

It's our last show of the year! It's time to talk Ridley's Scott's new epic Napoleon (2023). We extensively critique both the movie and the history behind it. Is Napoleon Bonaparte accurately portrayed? Is Joaquin Phoenix the right person to play the famous Emperor? Above all, is the movie just any good? (Spoiler: it's complicated). Remember to leave us a REVIEW, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS WEB: www.realmoviesfakehistory.com FOLLOW:

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01:44:10

The Devil Wears Prada

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2023/11/16

Vogue! Anna Wintour! Haute couture fashion! This month we talk about 2006's The Devil Wears Prada and critique how the movie holds up today. How close is Meryl Streep's character to the real Anna Wintour? We also discuss Anna Wintour's documentary The September Issue and what it tells us about the fashion magazine industry. Remember to leave us a REVIEW, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS WEB: www.realmoviesfakehistory.com FOLLOW:

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01:32:41

Troy

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2023/10/10

Get out your fake tan and body oil! For this month we talk about 2004's Troy. Is Brad Pitt really miscast? Do the love stories make no sense? Is the movie just ridiculous? We say Yes! to all of these things and get into the reasons why. Remember to leave us a REVIEW, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE. Thanks! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS WEB: www.realmoviesfakehistory.com FOLLOW: https://www.instagram.com/realmoviesfakehistory/

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01:32:06

Memories of Murder

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2023/05/30

This month we revisit Bong Joon-ho's 2003 serial killer movie Memories of Murder. Based on a true story, just how strange is the truth compared to the fiction? Join us as we discuss how the movie keeps you on the edge of your seat, how it compares to the real story, and discuss the top 10 video store rentals of 2003! Remember to RATE, REVIEW, and SHARE! SUBSCRIBE: Apple | Spotify | Google | RSS WEB: www.realmoviesfakehistory.com FOLLOW: https://www.instagram.com/realmoviesfakehistory/

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26:17

Gaz and Mel Review Show - The Pope's Exorcist

Real Movies Fake History with Gari and Mel ·

2023/05/05

Gaz and Mel review The Pope's Exorcist (2023). It may be inspired by the actual files of a real life exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth, it may star Oscar winner Russell Crowe, but is it an outstanding piece of cinema or does it deserve to be drowned in holy water? Mel and Gaz find out with hilarious results. Don’t forget you can always stop by our website www.realmoviesfakehistory.com You can also subscribe to us on social media to keep up to date on future episodes Instagram

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