That's Not How It Went Down - podcast cover

That's Not How It Went Down

Lewis Howard & Elliot Fitzpatrickwww.instagram.com

*Winners of Best TV & Film Podcast at the Independent Podcast Awards 2025


Many 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.

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Episodes

'Moneyball' (2011)

Despite both being clued up on many sports - we are ignorant when it comes to baseball. So who better than a couple of English newbies to pitch questions about, cover bases on and take swings at the story behind the Oakland Athletics' innovative approach to player data. Was Billy Beane really that superstitious? Why was this approach so contentious? And are there any days in the year where MLB isn't played?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

Jun 10, 202552 minSeason 1Ep. 36

‘Valkyrie’ (2008)

The tension is running high this week as we take a closer look at would could potentially be deemed one of the biggest "what if?" moments in modern history. There's no denying that not everyone was keen on the idea of a Hollywood spin surrounding one of Germany's most significant war heroes, but just how accurate did the filmmakers get? Did von Stauffenberg really wear an eyepatch? Was a bomb concealed inside a box of Cointreau? And would the mission have succeeded if the meeting with HItler had...

Jun 03, 202559 minSeason 1Ep. 35

‘Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves’ (1991)

It's taken us this long to get over Braveheart and we feel energised enough to take on another infamously liberty-robbing telling of 'history'. Attempting to leave plenty in the tank to explore the other umpteen versions of this tale down the road, we do our best to stay on track to focus on what this 90's depiction gets right and, sadly more often, wrong. Who was Robin of Loxley? Where even is Loxley? And hasn't that tree been in the news recently? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went ...

May 27, 202558 minSeason 1Ep. 34

'The Two Popes' (2019)

Keep your eyes peeled for white smoke as we unlock the doors to the Sistine Chapel and take a peek into the world of The Two Popes. With the Catholic Church entering the 268th conclave in its history, the time is surely right to discover just how much truth there was behind the relationship between Pope Benedict XVI and the first South American Pope, Francis. Why did Pope Benedict choose to resign? Was Francis involved in betrayal in Argentina? And did they really watch the World Cup final toget...

May 20, 202559 minSeason 1Ep. 33

'The Prestige' (2006)

Magic!? Surely not..? Well, hopefully you'll be as surprised as us to learn the historical accounts that it's hard not to believe the Nolans drew upon for this modern classic which catapulted their names into Hollywood renown; as we pull back the curtain, revealing things to show this story may not be as far-fetched as it first seems. Were magicians really in such fierce competition in this era? Did they exploit the public's limited knowledge of electricity? And why can't Warner Bros. afford new...

May 13, 20251 hrSeason 1Ep. 32

'The French Connection' (1971)

With the recent passing of the legendary actor Gene Hackman, it felt only right to revisit the most iconic performance from his stellar career. His turn as Popeye Doyle not only won him an Academy Award, but cemented his place among the greatest actors of his generation. But as the public were introduced to this rough and ready NYPD narcotics detective it begged the question; just how much of the story was true? Did a French TV star hide drugs in his car? Did Popeye dress as Santa during stakeou...

May 06, 20251 hrSeason 1Ep. 31

'Zero Dark Thirty' (2012)

This week we do our best to uncover CIA secrets in their relentless pursuit of the world's most wanted man. In Kathryn Bigelow's film, Maya has to wade not only through the mire of the aftermath of America's war on terror, but also against the tide of bureaucracy that tries to suppress her every instinct. Was she really that alone in her pursuit? Why did the helicopter crash at the compound? And what were Bin Laden's reading habits? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on A...

Apr 29, 20251 hrSeason 1Ep. 30

'Spartacus' (1960)

As a cohort of citizens stand up in the face of injustice to protect one of their own, we delve deeper into history to discover parallels from the Roman Republic which echo into Cold War-era America. But what does the life of a Thracian-born slave have to do with modern day socialist uprising? Did the gladiators escape from slavery using kitchen utensils? Were they able to hold their own against the Roman legions? And did they really yell, "I'm Spartacus!"? Join us to find out on That's Not How ...

Apr 22, 202557 minSeason 1Ep. 29

'Catch Me If You Can' (2002)

Some stories are too good to be true and others are too true to be good. Fortunately, this film is great, but the claims of the real Frank Abagnale Jr. are inconsistent and muddled at best and it's time to take a closer look. How much money did he fraudulently make? Did he escape through an aeroplane toilet? And how do I contact the FBI? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 15, 20251 hrSeason 1Ep. 28

'Fargo' (1996)

Ah, jeez! This week we're defrosting the Coen Brothers' classic 90s crime caper, "Fargo" - a movie claimed in the opening scrawl to be based on true events, ooh yah… you betcha! But just how true? Did Jerry organise a bungled kidnapping of his wife? Was there really a murder involving a woodchipper? And who the heck is Paul Bunyan? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 08, 202555 minSeason 1Ep. 27

'The Sound Of Music' (1965)

It's the turn of arguably our 'greatest' film so far as we do one of my favourite things and track down the truths of the Von Trapps. Something good will come from our discoveries and I have confidence that we won't spoil its legacy when we climb ev'ry mountain of curiosity. Why did the children need a governess? Did the Baroness exist? And what is it Maria can't face? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 01, 202552 minSeason 1Ep. 26

'The Fox & The Hound' (1981)

"When you're the best of friends you"… start a podcast about the veracity of movies. But surely this is a train bridge too far? A tale of two anthropomorphised animals in rural America with a basis in fact? This week we're keeping our noses to the ground to sniff out the truth. Was there really a fox and a hound with a vendetta? Did an old dog get led onto the train tracks on purpose? And can foxes really catch fish? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast....

Mar 25, 202550 minSeason 1Ep. 25

'Black Mass' (2015)

Unfortunately, we can't spend a whole episode talking about 'The Departed', but we'll do our best to tie it into the discoveries we make about Johnny Depp's turn at Jimmy "Whitey" Bulger. Who was informing who? Did he really win the lottery? And what on earth is Jai Alai? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 202557 minSeason 1Ep. 24

‘Good Morning Vietnam' (1987)

Goooooood morning listeners! On this episode we take a look BTS between the US and the VC to discover all that was kept on the QT in this classic Robin Williams comedy. Did he really use THAT intro? Was he almost killed in a restaurant bombing? And did he really teach English to meet girls? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 11, 202550 minSeason 1Ep. 23

'A Complete Unknown' (2024)

Come gather round people wherever you roam and listen to us as we fingerpick our way through the formative years of the great Bob Dylan in Hollywood's latest music biopic. Was Chalomet unlucky to miss out on the Oscar? Was Johnny Cash such a major player in Dylan's career? And was there an axe to hand the night Dylan went electric? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 04, 202558 minSeason 1Ep. 22

'The Social Network' (2010)

Welcome to Facebook. It was the film nobody thought needed making but we had a hunch a story about computer programmers falling out had to have been embellished somehow in some quarters. Did he make Facemash in one night? Did the Winklevoss Twins actually have a claim? And what exactly did Sean Parker even do?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 25, 202558 minSeason 1Ep. 21

'The Amityville Horror' (1979)

Have that fly-spray ready as this week the boys take a look at the movie which started perhaps the most bonkers franchise in horror history. What really happened before the Lutzes arrived? What happened once they'd moved in? And what exactly is "Amityville in Space"? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 18, 202559 minSeason 1Ep. 20

BONUS: '50 First Dates' (2004)

As a bonus treat this Valentine's Day, we're brushing up on our pickup lines and revisiting the classic date movie "50 First Dates". With real life inspirations which feel too close to the movie's storyline to just be coincidence, it's time to dig a little deeper. Did Lucy's memory reset every night? Was she really involved in a car crash? And what's with all the Reggae music? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 14, 202540 minSeason 1Ep. 19

'Fighting With My Family' (2019)

Surely one of the tallest collaborations was when Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Stephen Merchant tag-teamed to create this feel-good family film - but just how tall was this tale? Did Paige come from a wrestling family? Did The Rock give them a pep talk? And why is a man from Norwich an Arsenal fan? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 11, 202558 minSeason 1Ep. 19

'Jaws' (1975)

Just when you thought it was safe to listen to a podcast… On this week's episode we take a look at one of the all-time greats. Was there really a spate of killings on the New England coast? Is Quint based on a real person? And did they really need a bigger boat? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 04, 20251 hrSeason 1Ep. 18

'Straight Outta Compton' (2015)

You are now about to witness the strength of film knowledge as we tackle our first music biopic. Much like NWA themselves, this film was a stratospheric success but how did all the major players meet? How did the gig in Detroit unfold? And can we keep this episode from being R rated? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 28, 202558 minSeason 1Ep. 17

'Patch Adams' (1998)

With Robin Williams at the height of his power in the mid-nineties, a family friendly comedy with a heart of gold felt like a recipe for success. But just how close did it come to the real-life events? Was he almost kicked out of college? Did his girlfriend really get murdered? And did he moon at his graduation ceremony? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 24, 202555 minSeason 1Ep. 16

'I, Tonya' (2017)

We’re not skating over anything this week as we unpick what on earth went on in 1994 as depicted in the Oscar-buzzed “I, Tonya”. The film admits from the off that some of the accounts are contradictory so we felt it was up to us to try and set the record straight. Whose idea was it? How difficult is a triple axel? And is Shawn Eckhardt really that ridiculous? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jan 17, 202555 minSeason 1Ep. 15

'Dog Day Afternoon' (1975)

In this episode, Elliot and Lewis get held up learning about the infamous bank robbery which inspired “Dog Day Afternoon”. Was there really no money left in the vault? Did one of the robbers get cold feet? And just why are they so keen to get to Algeria? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 10, 202554 minSeason 1Ep. 14

'The Terminal' (2004)

This week, we’ve got all the required documents to explore the history behind Spielberg’s romcom “The Terminal”. The strangeness of the circumstances in the film left us puzzled, but what if the real life circumstances were even stranger? Can you make a living returning trolleys? Is Krakozhia a real place? And how much was that burger?! Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 03, 202554 minSeason 1Ep. 13

'Footloose' (1984)

In this week’s episode, we’re kicking off our Sunday shoes to learn the truth behind the iconic 80s hit, “Footloose”. Was there a dancing ban? Did the townspeople really hold book burnings? And what exactly is tractor chicken? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 27, 202444 minSeason 1Ep. 12

'Titanic' (1997)

This week it’s time for a deep dive into the behemoth that is “Titanic”. Lauded for its scale and ambition, bringing this story to life was no mean feat. But how much of the wreck footage was actually used? Was this journey doomed from the start? And did Dunkin’ Donuts pay for some product placement? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 20, 202452 minSeason 1Ep. 11

BONUS: 'Jingle All The Way' (1996)

As an early Christmas present, we decided to explore some of the inspiration behind the 1996 festive 'comedy' Jingle All The Way. What was the toy behind the idea? How did some of these jokes remain in the script!? And can you name all Rudolph's companions? Join us to find out on this bonus episode of That's Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 17, 202434 minSeason 1Ep. 10

'Changeling' (2008)

This time around we attempt to keep the demons at bay as we uncover the truth behind Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-nominated “Changeling”. Did the police return the wrong boy? Was Christine Collins dragged to a psychiatric institute? And did Angelina Jolie really learn to roller-skate? Join us to find out on That’s Not How It Went Down! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 13, 202456 minSeason 1Ep. 10
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