Based on a True Story

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 391) — During the 1970s, people in North Carolina were fed up with mistreatment and unsafe conditions at work. Norma Rae Webster decided to speak out.

That's how the movie sets up the situation. Is it true?

Aimee Loiselle is the Stuart and Joyce Robbins Distinguished Chair of History at West Virginia University. When you watch Norma Rae and wonder, "Did that really happen?" Dr. Loiselle’s book is called, “Beyond Norma Rae: How Puerto Rican and Southern White Women Fought for a Place in the American Working Class.”

Guest Links

• Aimee's Website = https://links.boatspodcast.com/391guest
• "Beyond Norma Rae" = https://links.boatspodcast.com/391book

Chapters

0:00 Intro and accuracy grade

2:07 Who was the real Norma Rae?

7:14 Crystal Lee's jobs before the mill

11:13 Working conditions in the textile mills

17:28 The union organizer comes to town

25:29 Norma's first union meeting

29:56 What happened to Norma's father?

36:10 Retaliation and personal attacks

43:51 Norma and Reuben's relationship

51:02 The famous UNION sign scene

59:11 The vote and what really happened after

1:07:30 Beyond Norma Rae and the Gloria Maldonado story

Support My Work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 390) — 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 — including a real-world parallel to Goose's tragic death. The conversation also covers his book The Fightin' Tenth: Cold War to Desert Storm, chronicling the experiences of the 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron from the Cold War through Operation Desert Storm.

Guest Links

• The Fightin' Tenth: Cold War to Desert Storm: https://thefightintenth.com/truestory

Chapters

0:00 Intro & Overall Accuracy Grade

3:16 The MiG-28 & Real Soviet Encounters

6:10 Cold War Training & Border Standoffs

11:10 Pilot Competition & Friendly Rivalry

14:00 Goose's Death: The Reality of Jet Wash

19:19 Relationships & Moving to Real-World Missions

27:12 Rule Bending, Buzzing the Tower & The Fightin' Tenth

Support My Work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 University. We'll discuss how the movie's characters mirror real legends like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Jackie Robinson. Ben is the host of the podcast Baseball, Bigotry and the Battle for America and author of Of Thee I Sing: Race and American Patriotism.

Guest Links

• Black and White and Read: https://links.boatspodcast.com/389guest
• Ben Railton's Podcast: https://links.boatspodcast.com/389podcast
• Of Thee I Sing: The Contested History of American Patriotism: https://links.boatspodcast.com/389book

Chapters

0:00 Intro & Movie Synopsis

3:45 Guest Introduction & Historical Accuracy Grade

7:22 Characters & Real-Life Parallels

10:13 Negro Leagues & Barnstorming Context

17:05 Owner Violence & Labor Activism

20:41 Performance, The Invite Pitch & House of David

32:51 Hardships & The Climactic Game

42:40 Jackie Robinson & End of an Era

49:19 Wrap Up & Two Truths and a Lie

Support My Work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
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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 accuracy of the movie and how well it ties into Homer’s Odyssey.

Guest Links

• Prime Time Troy: https://links.boatspodcast.com/388troy
• Prime Time Pompeii: https://links.boatspodcast.com/388pompeii
• Prime Time Travelers: https://links.boatspodcast.com/388travelers
• Neil Laird's Website: https://links.boatspodcast.com/388guest

Chapters

0:00 Letter grade & Homer’s Odyssey

3:30 Troy (2004) vs The Odyssey (2026)

9:30 Monsters, cyclopses and mythical beasts

14:30 Circe’s island and men turned to pigs

19:30 Hades, Achilles and war guilt

23:30 Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis and hard choices

37:30 Calypso, lost years and the long road home

Support my work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
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• Support my sponsors: https://links.boatspodcast.com/advertisers
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 387) — How accurate is the 1990 movie Memphis Belle? Military historian Joshua Donohue returns to Based on a True Story to break down what the movie gets right, where Hollywood takes liberties, and what the real crew of the Memphis Belle actually experienced during World War II.

Guest Links

• Josh's YouTube = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387guest
• Josh's Wake Island Article = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387wakearticle
• Josh's Pearl Harbor Article = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387ewaarticle

Other Mentions

• Find where to watch the movie = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387movie
• Memphis Belle Unveiling = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387unveiling
• The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle by Robert Morgan and Ron Powers = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387themanwhoflew
• Memphis Belle Documentary = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387documentary
• Memphis Belle - Air Force Fact Sheet = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387factsheet
• The Memphis Belle Museum Exhibit = https://links.boatspodcast.com/387museumexhibit

Chapters

0:00 Intro and accuracy grade

2:13 Other bomber movies and context

12:37 The real Memphis Belle missions

22:15 Hollywood vs the real 25th mission

32:20 How lead bombers and formations worked

43:46 Bombing runs, smoke, and the Norden

52:13 Midair dangers and ball turret stories

1:15:02 The 1944 documentary and legacy

1:21:53 Josh's Bataan book project

Support My Work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
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What really happened to Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition, and how much of AMC’s The Terror is grounded in the historical record? Today we're joined by Rich Napolitano, host of Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs, to compare the TV series with the real story of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, from the search for the Northwest Passage to the evidence historians have uncovered about the crew’s fate.

Links

• Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs
• Lost Franklin Expedition w/NEW UPDATES
• Dr. John Rae
• The Terror (TV Series)

Chapters

0:00 Intro to The Terror

2:12 Two Truths and a Lie

4:08 Meet Rich Napolitano

7:22 The Real Franklin Expedition

20:06 Stuck in the Arctic Ice

33:42 Food, Disease, and Survival

47:41 The Terror’s Supernatural Twist

59:18 How the Expedition Ended

Support My Work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 385) — Have you ever wondered how much of The Legend of Bagger Vance is rooted in history? Steven Pressfield, author of the 1995 novel that inspired the 2000 film, joins Based on a True Story to unpack the story’s connections to the Bhagavad Gita, the real-life golfing legends Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen, and the choices Hollywood made when bringing the book to the screen. They also explore Steven’s approach to writing historical fiction and his latest novel, The Arcadian.

Guest Links

• The Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven Pressfield
• The Arcadian by Steven Pressfield
• Steven Pressfield's Website

Chapters

0:00 Intro and movie synopsis

2:43 Meet Steven Pressfield

5:35 Is Bagger Vance based on history?

11:32 Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, and real golf history

18:07 The missing 10 years after World War I

27:18 What the movie changed from the book

40:02 Writing historical fiction with Steven Pressfield

52:06 The Arcadian and final thoughts

Support my work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
• Become a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes): https://links.boatspodcast.com/producers
• Support my sponsors: https://links.boatspodcast.com/advertisers
• Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 384) — Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood tells a tale of alternative history. In this episode, we'll separate the film’s fairy-tale storytelling from the real history behind the Manson murders, Sharon Tate, Bruce Lee, Steve McQueen, and the Hollywood of 1969.

Listen to All the Right Movies

John's podcast breaks down the history of Hollywood, one film at a time. Check out All the Right Movies to learn all about the work that went into making movies, how much of it works, and more.

More from All the Right Movies

• Find all the episodes: https://alltherightmovies.com/
• All the Right Movies episode for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: https://www.patreon.com/posts/atrm-classic-111-152929056
• Facts about the movie: https://alltherightmovies.com/feature/45-interesting-and-golden-age-facts-about-once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood/

Mentioned in the Episode

• John Neal Phillips on 1967's Bonnie and Clyde: https://links.boatspodcast.com/195

Chapters

0:00 Intro and historical accuracy

4:15 Tarantino’s fairy-tale approach

11:25 Rick, Cliff, and Sharon Tate

18:40 Hollywood in the late 1960s

28:30 Steve McQueen and The Great Escape

36:20 Bruce Lee, Sharon Tate, and Spahn Ranch

49:10 The Manson Family and Cielo Drive

58:45 The film’s alternate ending

1:04:20 Final thoughts and ATRM

Support my work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
• Become a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes): https://links.boatspodcast.com/producers
• Support my sponsors: https://links.boatspodcast.com/advertisers
• Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. From the Los Alamos we see in the movie to what we don't see in the movie such as Oak Ridge's massive factories, Hanford's plutonium production, and more that you don't ever see in the movie.

Get Alice's book

Alice Lovejoy is the author of Tales of Militant Chemistry, film scholar, and a professor at the University of Minnesota. She'll join us today to unravel the true story behind the Manhattan Project in the movie.

Find more of Alice's work

• Army Film and the Avant Garde
• Remapping Cold War Media
• Visit Alice's website
• Follow Alice on Bluesky
• Follow Alice on Instagram

Listen to the other BOATS episode on Oppenheimer

Chapters

00:00 Manhattan Project Overview

04:50 Uranium vs. Plutonium Bombs

09:45 Scale of the Project

15:28 Einstein's Role

20:42 Trinity Test Depiction

25:04 Radiation Concerns

30:51 Project's End & Legacy

33:52 Post-War Impacts

Support my work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
• Become a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes): https://links.boatspodcast.com/producers
• Support my sponsors: https://links.boatspodcast.com/advertisers
• Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com

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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. Was the poisoned apple scene real? How well was the Trinity Test portrayed on screen? What does the movie leave out from Oppenheimer's life? If you've seen the movie and wondered what really happened, this episode is your guided tour through the history behind the film.

Chapters

0:00 Intro, synopsis & Two Truths and a Lie

3:30 Prometheus myth and poisoned apple story

10:15 Oppenheimer’s education in Europe and early career

18:40 Relationships with Jean Tatlock and Kitty Oppenheimer

28:20 FBI surveillance, communism fears, and the Manhattan Project scale

39:10 Trinity Test, “I am become Death,” and bombing Japan

51:00 Meeting President Truman and the Strauss feud

1:01:30 Oppenheimer’s fall, later life, and modern reevaluation

1:08:00 Two Truths and a Lie answers & closing

Resources

• American Prometheus
• Tales of Militant Chemistry
• 109 East Palace
• Robert Oppenheimer: A Life Inside the Center
• J. Robert Oppenheimer: A Life
• An Atomic Love Story: The Extraordinary Women in Robert Oppenheimer's Life
• The Ruin of J. Robert Oppenheimer

If your podcast app doesn't support clickable links, you can also find all the links at https://links.boatspodcast.com/382

Support My Work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 381) — My love of history started with the legend of King Arthur. While there are many King Arthur movies to pick from, today we'll learn about the one that marketed itself as being more historically accurate than the others.

Dorsey Armstrong on The Great Courses Plus

Historian Dorsey Armstrong breaks down the historical accuracy of the 2004 film King Arthur. Learn the true story behind the legends of Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin, the Round Table, and more.

Chapters

0:00 Intro

2:30 Movie's Historical Claims

5:10 Sarmatians and Lancelot

10:45 Merlin's Real History

15:20 Woads, Picts, and Round Table

22:00 Christianity and Pelagius

28:15 Final Mission and Freedom

34:50 Guinevere and Ice Battle

40:30 Battle of Badon Hill

45:15 Sword in the Stone

49:00 Legend Surprises

53:30 BOATS Update for 2026 and Outro

Support My Work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 380) — Today we dive into the 2013 film Captain Phillips directed by Paul Greengrass and starring Tom Hanks—and discover how much of Hollywood's version actually matches the true story of the Maersk Alabama hijacking. Trial attorney Brian Beckcom, who represented the crew of the container ship after the Somali pirate attack, shares accounts of what really happened during this dramatic rescue operation and reveals the major inaccuracies that made it to the screen.

Lessons from Leaders with Brian Beckcom

Find where to watch the movie

Chapters

0:00 Intro

3:38 Today's Movie: Captain Phillips

5:19 The True Context of Somali Piracy

12:17 Why Captain Phillips Made His Fateful Decision

15:46 Security Protocols vs. Hollywood Drama

19:42 The First Pirate Attack

24:43 Pirates Board the Maersk Alabama

30:18 The Crew's True Heroism in the Engine Room

34:29 Captain Phillips' Role in the Crisis

40:35 The Navy Enters the Picture

43:22 The Truth Behind the Rescue Operation

49:47 Captain Phillips' Escape Attempt (Fact vs. Fiction)

54:51 The Final Navy Seal Operation

57:31 About Brian Beckcom's Podcast

59:03 Two Truths and a Lie Answer

Support my work

• Join the BOATS community: https://links.boatspodcast.com/community
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• Support my sponsors: https://links.boatspodcast.com/advertisers
• Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com

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/380

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 379) — Most movies focus on the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor, but the true story of December 7th, 1941, involves a coordinated global offensive across the Pacific. In this episode, history professor Joshua Donohue returns to explore what the movies miss—including attacks on Wake Island, the Philippines, and military installations across Oahu that extended far beyond the harbor itself. From civilian casualties to pilot heroics to the international scope of Japan's ambitious assault, we separate fact from fiction across multiple Pearl Harbor films.

Josh's Latest Work

• Embattled Marines at Air Station Ewa

Chapters

0:00 Intro & Two Truths and a Lie Game

3:16 From Here to Eternity: Life Before the Attack

10:20 The Global Scope of Japan's Offensive

12:40 Wake Island Under Siege

20:04 Oahu's Airfields and Widespread Attacks

28:23 American Aircraft in the Air During the Attack

43:20 Civilian Casualties and Friendly Fire

58:23 American Morale and the Movies' Coverage

1:05:02 Pilots Beyond Pearl Harbor

1:11:13 The Final Countdown: What If Scenario

1:22:32 Two Truths and a Lie Answer Reveal

Support my work

• Support my sponsors
• Become a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)
• Join the BOATS Discord
• Get the BOATS email newsletter
• Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com
• Get my video podcasting class

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/379

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 378) — Discover the historical accuracy behind the 2025 film "Nuremberg" which is adapted from Jack El-Hai's book "The Nazi and the Psychiatrist."

Get Jack's Book: The Nazi and the Psychiatrist

Learn about the real Dr. Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) and his complex relationship with Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe) during the historic Nuremberg trials. What did the filmmakers get right and what did they change from the true story? Tune in to find out!

Also Mentioned

• Jack El-Hai Official Website
• Nuremberg (2025 Film)
• 22 Cells in Nuremberg by Douglas Kelley
• Howie Trieste's Book on Nuremberg Experiences
• Stars and Stripes Military Newspaper

Chapters

0:00 Intro

2:35 Movie Overview - Nuremberg and Main Characters

5:45 Historical Grade and Book Comparison

9:10 Goering's Capture by Allied Forces

14:20 Douglas Kelley's Role as Psychiatrist

18:55 Goering and Rudolf Hess Relationship

23:45 Goering's Narcissism and Motivations

29:00 Concentration Camp Films and Kelley's Turning Point

33:15 Reporter Character and Kelley's Departure

37:00 Howie Trieste's Story as German-Jewish Translator

41:45 Kelley Handing Over Research to Prosecutors

45:15 Goering's Cyanide Pill and Suicide

48:00 Final Lessons and Democracy Warnings

50:30 Behind-the-Scenes Film Production Story

52:15 Two Truths and a Lie Answer Reveal

Support My Work

• Support my sponsors
• Become a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)
• Join the BOATS Discord
• Get the BOATS email newsletter
• Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 and camera work, and the film’s premiere.

Get Scott's book

Where to watch Feud

To help us separate fact from fiction in the series today is Scott Eyman, whose new biography Joan Crawford: A Woman’s Face reveals Crawford’s journey from orphan to screen legend using thorough research from personal papers, studio records, and the Robert Aldrich archives at UCLA.

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:39 TV series synopsis

00:03:16 Two truths and a lie

00:04:07 Interview

01:19:11 Two truths and a lie answer

Also mentioned in this episode

• Joan Crawford: A Woman's Face by Scott Eyman

Support my work

• Support my sponsors
• Become a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)
• Join the BOATS Discord
• Get the BOATS email newsletter
• Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com
• Get my video podcasting class

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/377

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Hynek.

Ufologist Rob Kristoffersen will help us uncover the true story behind each episode of the twenty episodes in the TV series. Then, the third part of our episode today is to talk to David O'Leary (Creator of Project Blue Book) and Sean Jablonski (Showrunner of Project Blue Book) to go behind what it took to make a series about UFOs that is based on true events.

Where to watch Project Blue Book

Listen to Rob's awesome podcast, Our Strange Skies

Read the U.S. Air Force fact sheet on Project Blue Book

Answer this question from the episode:

What do you think people are seeing when they report UFOs?

Share your opinion in the BOATS Discord

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:24 Synopsis

00:03:47 Rob Kristoffersen on Project Blue Book season one

01:25:48 Rob Kristoffersen on Project Blue Book season two

02:41:26 David O'Leary and Sean Jablonski on creating Project Blue Book

Support my work

• Become a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)
• Great deals from my sponsors
• Join the BOATS Discord
• Get the BOATS email newsletter
• Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com
• Get my video podcasting class

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/376

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 Rumsfeld himself.

⁠Get William's book⁠

Separating fact from fiction for us today is William Cooper, whose new historical fiction novel "The Trial of Donald H. Rumsfeld" is available now.

⁠Where to watch Vice⁠

⁠Where to watch W.⁠

⁠Where to watch The Unknown Known⁠

Answer this question from the episode: What impact do you think Rumsfeld has had in U.S. politics today?

⁠Share your opinion in the BOATS Discord⁠

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:15 Movie synopsis

00:02:13 Two truths and a lie

00:03:27 Interview

01:09:02 Two truths and a lie answer

Also mentioned in this episode

• ⁠Follow William on Bluesky⁠
• ⁠(BOATS EP. 196) — Moneyball with William Cooper⁠
• ⁠(BOATS EP. 335) — Vice with William Cooper⁠
• ⁠Search Rumsfeld's archive at Rumsfeld.com⁠
• ⁠William's Non-Fiction Book: "How America Works . . . and Why It Doesn’t"⁠

Support my work

• ⁠Become a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)⁠
• ⁠Great deals from my sponsors⁠
• ⁠Join the BOATS Discord⁠
• ⁠Get the BOATS email newsletter⁠
• ⁠Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com⁠
• ⁠Get my video podcasting class⁠

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/375

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 374) — Today we'll rejoin Billy the Kid's outlaw gang as they continue their attempts to escape the law following the events in Young Guns (BOATS EP. 146). Was Brushy Bill Roberts a real person? Was he Billy the Kid? What other creative liberties did the filmmakers take in telling the true story of Billy the Kid?

Where to watch Young Guns II

Follow Josh's podcast

To help us unravel the historical accuracy of Young Guns II, we'll be joined by Josh, the host of The Wild West Extravaganza podcast.

Is Young Guns or Young Guns II a better movie?

Share your opinion in the BOATS Discord

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:15 Movie synopsis

00:02:13 Two truths and a lie

00:03:27 Interview

01:09:02 Two truths and a lie answer

Also mentioned in this episode

• The Wild West Extravaganza Podcast
• Wild West Extravaganza on YouTube
• Josh's episode on Dirty Dave Rudabaugh
• Charlie Bowdre's blood-stained photo
• Listen to Based on a True Story's episode covering the first Young Guns
• "Alias Billy the Kid" by William Morrison and C.L. Sonnichsen
• The Authentic Life of Billy, the Kid by Pat Garrett (and Ash Upson)
• The Saga of Billy the Kid by Walter Noble Burns

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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.

Where to watch Amelia

Get Chris's book

Chris Williamson has an array of work with the Chasing Earhart Project, including the book "Rabbit Hole: The Vanishing of Amelia Earhart & Fred Noonan."

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:15 Movie synopsis

00:02:13 Two truths and a lie

00:03:27 Interview

01:09:02 Two truths and a lie answer

Also mentioned in this episode

• Chasing Earhart Podcast
• The Aviator and the Showman by Laurie Gwen Shapiro
• Chasing Earhart on Facebook

Support my work

• Support my sponsors
• Become a BOATS Producer (name in credits + ad-free episodes)
• Join the BOATS Discord
• Get the BOATS email newsletter
• Email me: dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com
• Get my video podcasting class

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/373

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

BASED ON A TRUE STORY (BOATS EP. 372) — Travel back to the Old West for a tale of revenge, Pinkerton agents, and frontier justice in the wake of the Civil War. One of those former Pinkerton agents in the movie is John Scobell (Gbenga Akinnagbe), making 2025's Trail of Vengeance the first movie to feature John Scobell as one of its main characters.

Where to watch Trail of Vengeance

Get Rob's book

To help us separate fact from fiction in the movie today is author Rob Hilliard, whose book "In Freedom's Shadow" is a historical novel based on John Scobell. How well does the movie tell us John Scobell's true story? Let's find out!

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:09 Movie synopsis

00:02:05 Two truths and a lie

00:03:18 Interview

01:31:54 Two truths and a lie answer

Also mentioned in this episode

• "The Spy of the Rebellion" by Allan Pinkerton
• "The Pinkertons" miniseries with Rob

Support my work

• Dan LeFebvre's Getting Started with Video Podcasting
• Unlock ad-free episodes
• Support my sponsors
• ⁠⁠Chat about this episode⁠⁠
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• Talk to a real person ⁠dan@basedonatruestorypodcast.com

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/372

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.