

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

May 30, 2024 • 1h 36min
Midway (2019) with Jon Parshall
Roland Emmerich's 2019 movie simply called "Midway" shows a lot more than the Battle of Midway. We'll be joined today by one of the historical consultants on the movie who is also the co-author of Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway.Get Jon's book:
Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway: https://links.boatspodcast.com/323book
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May 27, 2024 • 45min
This Week: Sink the Bismark, Harriet, Watchmen
In this episode, we'll learn about historical events between May 27th and June 2nd as they're shown in the movies. We'll also learn about birthdays from historical figures who have been portrayed in the movies as well as recommendations for a movie that was released this week in history.Events from This Week in History
Monday: Sink the Bismark or watch it on YouTube
Saturday: Harriet | BOATS #187
Saturday: Watchmen
Birthdays from This Week in History
Walt Whitman in Beautiful Dreamers
Brigham Young in Hell on Wheels | BOATS #202
Marilyn Monroe in Blonde
A Historical Movie Released This Week in History
Rocketman | Elton John's wedding footage | Elton John interview about his name
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May 21, 2024 • 1h 49min
Napoleon with Louis Sarkozy
Historians weren't there, but that doesn't mean they don't know the true story about one of the most documented people in all of human history. Let's put Napoleon's new film to the test with Louis Sarkozy, historian and author of "Napoleon's Library." Join us as we dissect the movie's portrayal, separate fact from fiction, and uncover the real Napoleon.Get Louis' new book:
Napoleon's Library: The Emperor, His Books and Their Influence on the Napoleonic Era https://links.boatspodcast.com/321book
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May 20, 2024 • 49min
This Week: The Spirit of St. Louis, Amelia, The Messenger
In this episode, we'll learn about historical events between May 20th and May 26th as they're shown in the movies. We'll also learn about birthdays from historical figures who have been portrayed in the movies as well as recommendations for a movie that was released this week in history.Events from This Week in History
The Spirit of St. Louis
Amelia
The Messenger
Birthdays from This Week in History
Monster | BOATS #217
Houdini & Doyle
Victoria
A Historical Movie Released This Week in HistoryKandaharDid you enjoy this episode?
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May 13, 2024 • 43min
This Week: Darkest Hour, The New World, The Other Boleyn Girl
In this episode, we'll learn about historical events between May 13th and May 19th as they're shown in the movies. We'll also learn about birthdays from historical figures who have been portrayed in the movies as well as recommendations for a movie that was released this week in history.Events from This Week in History
Darkest Hour | BOATS #299
The New World
The Other Boleyn Girl | BOATS #92
Birthdays from This Week in History
American Gangster
Behind the Candelabra
The Perfect Game
Historical Movie Releasing This Week
Back to Black | Find showtimes near you
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May 6, 2024 • 56min
This Week: The Hindenburg, Band of Brothers, Operation Finale
In this episode, we'll learn about historical events between May 6th and May 12th as they're shown in the movies. We'll also learn about birthdays from historical figures who have been portrayed in the movies as well as recommendations for a movie that was released this week in history.Events from This Week in History
The Hindenburg | BOATS #91 | The Hindenburg Disaster Footage
Band of Brothers | BOATS Miniseries
Operation Finale | BOATS #162
Birthdays from This Week in History
Truman
The Good Lord Bird
Midnight in Paris
Movies Released This Week in HistoryEscape from AuschwitzDid you enjoy this episode?
Find the transcript and full show notes: https://links.boatspodcast.com/318
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May 1, 2024 • 1h 1min
Tombstone with Tom Clavin
Did Hollywood get it right? Join us as we delve into the iconic Western film Tombstone with a special guest: the author of the book Tombstone, New York Times bestselling author Tom Clavin! We'll separate myth from reality, analyzing the portrayal of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and the taming of a wild frontier town.Learn more about the true story:
Tombstone: The Earp Brothers, Doc Holliday, and the Vendetta Ride from Hell https://links.boatspodcast.com/317book
Get Tom's new book:
Throne of Grace: A Mountain Man, an Epic Adventure, and the Bloody Conquest of the American West https://links.boatspodcast.com/317throneofgrace
Tom's website: https://links.boatspodcast.com/317guestDid you enjoy this episode?
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Apr 29, 2024 • 51min
This Week: The Pride of the Yankees, Gods and Generals, The Right Stuff
In this episode, we'll learn about historical events between April 29th and May 5th as they're shown in the movies. We'll also learn about birthdays from historical figures who have been portrayed in the movies as well as recommendations for a movie that was released this week in history.Events from This Week in History
The Pride of the Yankees
Gods and Generals
The Right Stuff | BOATS #75
Alan Shepard's photo from space
Birthdays from This Week in History
Hirohito in Midway (2019) | BOATS #158
Calamity Jane in Deadwood: The Movie
James Brown in Get On Up
Movies Released This Week in HistoryEd GeinDid you enjoy this episode?
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Apr 22, 2024 • 24min
This Week: Troy, Chernobyl
In this episode, we'll learn about historical events between April 22nd and April 28th as they're shown in the movies. We'll also learn about birthdays from historical figures who have been portrayed in the movies as well as recommendations for a movie that was released this week in history.Events from This Week in History
Troy | BOATS #133
Chernobyl | BOATS Miniseries
Birthdays from This Week in History
Vladimir Lenin in The King's Man
Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator
Ulysses S. Grant in Lincoln
Movies Released This Week in HistoryTrue History of the Kelly GangDid you enjoy this episode?
Find the transcript and full show notes: https://links.boatspodcast.com/315
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Apr 16, 2024 • 1h 27min
The Aviator with James B. Steele
In the 2004 biographical drama The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the eccentric and brilliant Howard Hughes, a maverick filmmaker and aviation tycoon who revolutionized Hollywood and the airline industry. The film chronicles Hughes' obsessive pursuit of perfection and his struggle with mental illness, offering a captivating glimpse into the life of one of the 20th century's most fascinating and enigmatic figures.Today, we'll learn compare the true story with the movie's version along with legendary journalist and Howard Hughes biographer James B. Steele.Learn more about the true story with James' book:
Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness https://links.boatspodcast.com/314book
Get James' other work:
Forevermore, Nuclear Waste in America https://links.boatspodcast.com/314forevermore
America: Who Really Pays the Taxes? https://links.boatspodcast.com/314taxes
The Betrayal of the American Dream https://links.boatspodcast.com/314americandream
America: What Went Wrong?: The Crisis Deepens https://links.boatspodcast.com/314crisisdeepens
America: What Went Wrong? https://links.boatspodcast.com/314america
James Steele and Donald Barlett's website: https://links.boatspodcast.com/314guest
Did you enjoy this episode?
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