390: Top Gun with Captain Michael Makatura
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 390) — Former Air Force 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 — […]
389: 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 […]
388: 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 […]
385: The Legend of Bagger Vance with Steven Pressfield
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 385) — Steven Pressfield, author of the 1995 novel that inspired the 2000 film, joins Based on a True Story to unpack the movie’s historical connections. Learn More of the True Story Read the Book Get The Arcadian See more of Steven’s Work Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based […]
384: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood with John Barker
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 384) — Where did Tarantino follow the true story, and where did he deviate from the facts for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood? Learn More of the True Story All the Right Movies Podcast ATRM on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Facts about Once Upon a […]
383: 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. Learn More of the True Story Tales of Militant Chemistry by Alice Lovejoy Army Film and the Avant Garde Remapping Cold War Media Alice Lovejoy’s Website BOATS: […]
382: 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. Learn More of the True Story Tales of Militant Chemistry by Alice Lovejoy American Prometheus Oppenheimer Official Screenplay 109 East Palace: […]
377: 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 […]
376: Project Blue Book
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 376) — This special three-in-one episode is a thorough exploration of the true story behind the U.S. government’s top secret program investigating UFOs called Project Blue Book. In 2019, the History Channel released a dramatized version of Project Blue Book’s reports starring Aidan Gillen as Dr. J. Allen […]
375: 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 […]
373: 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. Get […]