

Based on a True Story
Dan LeFebvre
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 4, 2025 • 1h 13min
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 work
"Profit Over People" on YouTube
"Profit Over People" on Substack
"Broken Worlds: The Island" on IMDb
Find more of Robyn's work at Get It Girl! Productions
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Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links.Note: If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, copy/paste this in your browser to find all the links: https://links.boatspodcast.com/363 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 17, 2025 • 1h 15min
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"
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Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links.Note: If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, copy/paste this in your browser to find all the links: https://links.boatspodcast.com/362 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 10, 2025 • 1h 6min
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
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Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links.Note: If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, copy/paste this in your browser to find all the links: https://links.boatspodcast.com/361 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 24min
The Pinkertons Part 1 with Rob Hilliard
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 360) — We're beginning of a three-part miniseries covering all 22 episodes of "The Pinkertons." Today, we examine the first seven episodes of the television series. Joining us for the miniseries is author Rob Hilliard, whose book "In Freedom's Shadow" is a historical novel based on the true story of Pinkerton operative John Scobell, and includes many of the characters we see in the series. 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
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Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links.Note: If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, copy/paste this in your browser to find all the links: https://links.boatspodcast.com/360 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 25, 2025 • 1h 14min
Battle of the Bulge with Robert B. O'Connor
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 359) — Today is the 80th anniversary (January 25, 1945) of the official end of the Battle of the Bulge campaign during World War II. On our episode today, we'll learn about the classic film from 60 years ago (1965) that has often been criticized for many of its historical inaccuracies as it depicts the battle.Where to watch Battle of the BulgeTo help us separate fact from fiction, we'll be joined by Robert B. O'Connor, author of the novel called Jeep Show: A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge. After finishing today's episode, discover a fresh perspective on the iconic battle when you grab a copy of Robert's gripping novel.
Get Robert's book Jeep Show
Also mentioned in this episodeSee a photo of Mickey Rooney performing during a Jeep ShowDid you enjoy this episode?
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Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links.Note: If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, copy/paste this in your browser to find all the links: https://links.boatspodcast.com/359 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 13, 2025 • 2h
Thirteen Days with Joshua Donohue
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 358) — In 2000's Thirteen Days, we see a lot of the behind-the-scenes discussions and decisions that took place during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962. To help us separate fact from fiction, we'll get to hear from Joshua Donohue, who is the Adjunct Professor of History at Suffolk County Community College as well as Farmingdale State College.Where to watch Thirteen Days Follow Josh's work
Heroic Fight for Wake Island
Check back soon for more of Josh's work linked here...
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Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links.Note: If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, copy/paste this in your browser to find all the links: https://links.boatspodcast.com/358 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 30, 2024 • 2h 5min
Maria with Sophia Lambton
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 357) — A new biopic from director Pablo Larraín tells the story of renowned opera singer Maria Callas. Unfortunately, the movie falls short in telling the true story of the real Maria Callas. Today we'll get to learn from Sophia Lambton, the author of The Callas Imprint: A Centennial Biography.Get the Maria Callas biographyEarlier this year, Sophia's biography of Maria Callas took home the 2024 ARSC Awards' Best Historical Research in Recorded Classical Music. It is the best way to learn more about the true story of Maria Callas.Listen to the real Maria CallasAlso mentioned in this episode
Find more of Maria Callas' music
Where to watch Maria
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Note: If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, copy/paste this in your browser to find all the links: https://links.boatspodcast.com/357Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 16, 2024 • 1h 20min
Indiana Jones with Neil Laird
Neil Laird, an Emmy-nominated director and producer with a wealth of documentaries under his belt, joins the discussion on the Indiana Jones franchise. He critiques the historical accuracy of the films, assigning grades based on their fidelity to real events. Laird contrasts fictional narratives with the genuine cultural and archaeological challenges faced in the field, exploring themes of belief and power. He also delves into the mythic allure of artifacts like the Holy Grail, while sharing insights from his own creative work, including his time-traveling book series.

Dec 7, 2024 • 1h 32min
Tora! Tora! Tora! with Jon Parshall
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 355) — Today is the 83rd anniversary of the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor that was depicted in the 1970 movie Tora! Tora! Tora! Often praised for its accuracy, Tora! Tora! Tora! has also perpetrated some myths about what really happened.Where to watch Tora! Tora! Tora! nowTo help us separate fact from fiction, we'll be joined by Jon Parshall, an award-winning author who has worked as a historical consultant on numerous TV shows, and as a frequent lecturer at the U.S. Naval War College, the National World War II Museum, the Nimitz Museum, just to name a few.Get updates on Jon's new book at 1942book.com Also mentioned in this episode
Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully's Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway
Day of Infamy, 60th Anniversary: The Classic Account of the Bombing of Pearl Harbor by Walter Lord
At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor by Gordon Prange with Donald M. Goldstein and Katherine V. Dillon
Tora! Tora! Tora!: Pearl Harbor 1941 by Mark Stille
Pearl Harbor by H.P. Willmott
No One Avoided Danger: NAS Kaneohe Bay and the Japanese Attack of 7 December 1941 by J. Michael Wenger, Robert J. Cressman, and John F. Di Virgilio
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Note: If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, copy/paste this in your browser to find all the links: https://links.boatspodcast.com/355Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 14min
Casablanca with Bob LeMent
BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 354) — Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, we're walking into Casablanca on this episode to answer: How historically accurate is the movie? Where to watch Casablanca nowHelping us separate fact from fiction is Bob LeMent from Static Radio.Listen to Bob's show at StaticRadio.comDid you enjoy this episode?
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Note: If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, copy/paste this in your browser to find all the links: https://links.boatspodcast.com/354Disclaimer: Dan LeFebvre and/or Based on a True Story may earn commissions from qualifying purchases through these links. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices