Episodes

  • 'To Kill a Mockingbird' (1962)

    'To Kill a Mockingbird' (1962)
    Jan 27 2026
    With Harper Lee's upbringing in Monroeville, Alabama, seemingly having so many similarities to that of her narrator, Scout, many have alluded to her Pulitzer Prize-winning work as being inspired by her own childhood. But can we dig a little deeper? What about some of the other characters on display in the sleepy neighbourhood of Maycomb and its environs, and how did the racially motivated convictions seen in numerous court cases of depression-era America influence Lee further to tell a story of injustice and hope? Was Atticus Finch a real person? Did Boo Radley really exist? And was Tom Robinson actually convicted of a crime he did not commit? Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!

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    57 mins
  • 'The Favourite' (2018)

    'The Favourite' (2018)
    Jan 20 2026
    Compared by Rachel Weisz to the classic 'All About Eve', this also is a film involving scheming, influence and no small amount of dark humour. Peppered with awards and lauded as a triumphant vehicle for its three leading female actors, the tale of Queen Anne's personal relationships with those in her close circle has often been the subject of debate and speculation. But there's no doubt here in the vision of Yorgos Lanthimos and the Shakespearean level of characterisation of these women is one of the many reasons for its success. But how overt were these relationships? Were there other reasons for such a rift? And is gout actually good for you?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!

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    53 mins
  • 'Frankenstein' (2025)

    'Frankenstein' (2025)
    Jan 13 2026
    Although markedly different from previous film iterations of Mary Shelley's groundbreaking gothic sci-fi novel, Guillermo Del Toro still holds on to many of the key aspects of what truly makes a great Frankenstein adaptation. But whilst Oscar Isaac's morally dubious creator might not scream "IT'S ALIVE!" as in previous versions, what true to life aspects of the Age of Enlightenment may have inspired the writing of this all-time classic? Did scientists really believe they could reincarnate the dead? Is there a real Castle Frankenstein? And what sort of gruesome experiments inspired those of Victor Frankenstein?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!

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    1 hr
  • 'American Made' (2017)

    'American Made' (2017)
    Jan 6 2026
    Tom Cruise plays someone that can competently fly a plane. But that doesn't really narrow it down. How about, 'Tom Cruise plays a man on the wrong side of the law'. That whittles it down a fair bit. Tom Cruise is in a 21st century 'comedy'. We're into single figures, which is the last thing that can be said about the box office for this film. But something isn't sitting quite right despite a robust set of filmic ingredients in this story of one of the most infamous American drug smugglers to ever work for the CIA/Colombian cartel. Was cigar smuggling his first crime? How well did he know Pablo Escobar? And is Seal the perfect surname?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!

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    57 mins
  • 'The Imitation Game' (2015)

    'The Imitation Game' (2015)
    Dec 30 2025
    "Are you paying attention? Good". Whilst our computational skills might not quite be up to the standard of, say, Alan Turing our ability to weed out the fiction from the facts is no secret. But given the undeniable critical praise for 2014's Turing biopic, "The Imitation Game", arguably Benedict Cumberbatch's breakthrough cinematic role, can it really be said that the story of the men and women behind Britain's codebreaking triumphs in WW2 has been told accurately - or in this case is imitation the sincerest form of flattery? Were Turing and his colleagues the first to crack Enigma? Was Alan fired from Bletchley Park? And was his first computer really called Christopher?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • BONUS: 'Home Alone' (1&2)

    BONUS: 'Home Alone' (1&2)
    Dec 23 2025
    Much like a year ago, the temptation to bend a holiday classic towards our rules forces us to meet it halfway. Whilst exploring the initial nucleus for these festive mainstays gives us something to talk about, it's when we explore stories that may have even been inspired by the exploits of Harry and Marv, or anecdotes that bear an uncanny similarity to Kevin's situation that we can really indulge. Join us in this bonus episode of That's Not How It Went Down as we expand the brief to speculate on where the truths might lie...

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    51 mins
  • 'The Man Who Invented Christmas' (2017)

    'The Man Who Invented Christmas' (2017)
    Dec 15 2025
    With the festive season upon us once again it seemed fitting to not just look into the veracity of a classic Yuletide movie, but perhaps even the very origins of our modern Christmas itself. There are very few amongst us who won't be aware of the source material for lines such as "Bah! Humbug!" and "God bless us, every one!" but when a movie was produced in 2017 exploring the genesis of Dickens' enduring festive fairytale it seemed ripe material to discuss just how much truth there was on this Victorian journey of self-discovery. Was Marley a venerable waiter at Dickens' club? Was Dickens' father really sent to debtors prison? And was there a real Ebenezer Scrooge?! Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!

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    55 mins
  • 'In the Heart of the Sea' (2015)

    'In the Heart of the Sea' (2015)
    Dec 9 2025
    He may admit to having a slight fear of the ocean, but that didn't stop Ron Howard tackling the huge budget and epic story that is said to have inspired Herman Melville's Moby Dick. For the 'thalassaphobic' (sic) among us, this film is a challenging watch - and for those that struggle hearing inconsistent accents, this film is a challenging watch. But putting aside petty grievances, pursuing the truth in the vast ocean of Hollywood surrounding such a classic novel is too good to miss. Was there a white whale? Should Chase have been captain? And seriously, some of these accents... Join us to find out on That's Not How It Went Down!

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    53 mins