That's Not How It Went Down

'Hidden Figures' (2016)

The history of space exploration is often dominated by men. Movies like "Apollo 13" and "First Man" - while captivating - seem to only show the perseverance of the male members of NASA, crucially omitting the thousands of hours of dedication from female mathematicians and engineers. But in 2015, a relatively unknown woman was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, highlighting an extraordinary career that began at the height of the Space Race in the 1950s and revealed to audiences a year later in the Oscar-nominated, "Hidden Figures". But this time it's our turn to check the numbers and see just how accurate the filmmakers' calculations were. Did the ladies of NASA really carpool together? Did Katherine Johnson have to cross the entire campus to go to the bathroom? And did John Glenn really request that Katherine "check the numbers"?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!Subscribe now for further listening: https://tnhiwd.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Pride' (2014)

When it comes to the miners' strike of 1984/85, there isn't much positivity to be found. Families in communities solely reliant upon the income generated from the coal-mining industry were effectively starved into desperation as Margaret Thatcher's brutal tactics attempted to break the Unions. But as those standing up to the crisis had to find new ways to generate funds for their union members, a relationship based on mutual understanding and marginalisation formed between a group of gays and lesbians in London and a small town in South Wales. The fruits of the fruits of these labours were immortalised in a touching 2014 film with a stellar cast mainly from England, Ireland and Scotland - but what else wasn't quite right? What were Mark Ashton's political involvments before this venture? And how many guests is too many for a sleepover..? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!Subscribe now for further listening: https://tnhiwd.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'The Great Escape' (1963)

This week we're embodying the inimitable sense of British wartime spirit with a look at many people's all-time favourite war movie. Despite experiencing the harrowing conditions of near starvation inside POW camp Stalag Luft III, the unbreakable resilience of 600 men led to perhaps the most infamous prison escape in cinematic history. But with the events depicted undeniably embellished by Hollywood and featuring a whole host of dashing young American actors in leading roles did the filmmakers tip the scales too much in their quest for action and adventure? And, like the heroes of The Great Escape, what truth can we unearth which lies hidden beneath the surface? How were the inmates able to plan such a daring escape? Was there really a 'cooler king' like Hilts? And just how far did some of the escapees make it?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!Subscribe now for further listening: https://tnhiwd.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Saving Mr. Banks' (2013)

We've said before that the story of how a legacy was created doesn't necessarily guarantee compelling viewing. But in this dramatised making of, we are partially spared the knowing winks and nods to the audience when dealing with the most famous elements. Partially... Where this movie soars is when it's telling the story of conflict between the stubborn, grouchy author who wants to keep her vision pure, and the equally stubborn visionary who wants to create pure magic. Did Walt Disney take P.L. Travers on a tour of Disneyland? Did she really not want red in the film? And do the Sherman brothers have anything good to say about the author?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!Subscribe now for further listening: https://tnhiwd.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

'Dallas Buyers Club' (2013)

Not many movies can claim to have restarted an actor's career with more success than 2013's biographical drama, "Dallas Buyers Club". With Matthew McConaughey formerly known as a romantic comedy lead it was something of a punt casting a heartthrob in the role of Ron Woodroof, a terminally ill electrician who begins his own quest to provide life-extending drugs to those who share his fate. Having discovered clear differences in the perception of Woodroof between the people that knew him versus the filmmakers themselves however, we decided to do some clandestine research of our own to uncover the truth. Was Ron really given just 30 days to live? Did he dress up as a priest in order to smuggle across borders? And what exactly happened in Japan?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!Subscribe now for further listening: https://tnhiwd.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.