Tobe Hooper claimed it was based on true events to generate hype but the story was completely fictional. Though it was loosely inspired by serial killer Ed Gein, that’s about as “true” as it gets
The Conjuring definitely plays fast and loose with the facts. While Ed and Lorraine Warren did conduct paranormal investigations, the whole “demonic entity” thing is a pretty big stretch. It’s more Hollywood than history!
The Strangers. It was advertised as being “based on a true story”, but the guy who either wrote it or was in charge of the story went on to say that it was based on his own weird, completely fictional version of how local burglaries were being committed when he was a kid in a town near his.
A Haunting In Connecticut. The “true story” was about a kid whose family lived in a house/funeral home and his room was in the basement. Some coffins were stored there. That’s it. That’s the true story.
It’s the way it is worded. Based, inspired , etc. The studios take creative license to make a show more entertaining. The movie “Invinciple” for example has many fictional aspects but it was “based or inspired” by true events.
It is disappointing to learn one of your favorite movies is only half true.
A guy did kill his family, that part is true. His claim about the devil, that was one of about 80 different claims he made about it. All future “hauntings” are absolute admitted BS. Like “demonic hoofprints in the snow outside” during a time frame when there was no snow. Or the priest they called in to bless the house who took off and told them to leave the house immediately having only talked to them on the phone, and never visited the house.
Captain Philips. While the story did happen, the events are different. For one, his crew has described him as difficult to work with and a poor captain. Second, all ships passing through that area had been warned by NATO and IMO to stay at least 600 miles from the coast due to pirate activity in the area. He chose to sail as close as 235 miles in an effort to save time and get his bonus for a fast trip, and ignored his crews concerns/protests about doing so. Third, his own crew filed a lawsuit against him and the shipping line for the recklessness that put them in the situation. Fourth, he didn’t follow company protocol for hijacking. After cutting power to the ship, he was supposed to lock himself and the crew in the hold but was captured instead. Fifth, Phillips claims he offered himself up as a hostage in exchange for his crew. His crew has stated that is not true, and that he was involuntarily taken.
It happened. But the kid in it who testified against his serial killer uncle and then got released – his psychiatrists thinking he was reformed (despite helping his uncle while being a victim too) – got tangled up in a murder case when he was 48 that he and his adopted son are both possible suspects allegedly.
Bones of Pursuit of Happiness are more or less accurate (unqualified guy tries to get Wall Street job just through grit), but Chris Gardner didn’t have his kid with him most of the time, and was a way rougher character than portrayed in the film.
Same film where Will Smith also snorts cocaine regularly and has a mistress would’ve been interesting.
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Fargo
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Tobe Hooper claimed it was based on true events to generate hype but the story was completely fictional. Though it was loosely inspired by serial killer Ed Gein, that’s about as “true” as it gets
Inglourious Basterds
There were people I knew back in ‘99 that believed the Blair witch was real found footage
Conjuring
The Conjuring definitely plays fast and loose with the facts. While Ed and Lorraine Warren did conduct paranormal investigations, the whole “demonic entity” thing is a pretty big stretch. It’s more Hollywood than history!
Bloodsport.
Star Trek IV – The Voyage Home. All lies.
The Strangers. It was advertised as being “based on a true story”, but the guy who either wrote it or was in charge of the story went on to say that it was based on his own weird, completely fictional version of how local burglaries were being committed when he was a kid in a town near his.
Catch Me If You Can
Obvious answer here. Abignale was purported to be an amazing conman, which he was… But the con was selling his lies about being an amazing conman.
A Haunting In Connecticut. The “true story” was about a kid whose family lived in a house/funeral home and his room was in the basement. Some coffins were stored there. That’s it. That’s the true story.
Every single one.
Lord of the Rings
Bridges of Madison County.
That really pissed me off to learn it was fake.
I know the Blude Side in recent years has been disputed by the football player himself. 👀
Catch me if you can. Go figure the movie about the con man’s story…was mostly made up
The Flaming Hot movie
Amityville Horror.
The Irishman
It’s the way it is worded. Based, inspired , etc. The studios take creative license to make a show more entertaining. The movie “Invinciple” for example has many fictional aspects but it was “based or inspired” by true events.
It is disappointing to learn one of your favorite movies is only half true.
Adolescence
Amityville Horror.
A guy did kill his family, that part is true. His claim about the devil, that was one of about 80 different claims he made about it. All future “hauntings” are absolute admitted BS. Like “demonic hoofprints in the snow outside” during a time frame when there was no snow. Or the priest they called in to bless the house who took off and told them to leave the house immediately having only talked to them on the phone, and never visited the house.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
War Dogs, the drug dealer scene never happened.
The Departed is not a story about Frank Costello, they just used his name to sell it.
Hoosiers
Sorta Titanic? Titanic itself 100% happened but Rose and Jack were never real people who were on the boat.
Debbie never did Dallas
The Legend of Boggy Creek
pearl Harbor.
Well in fact most WW2 movies even ones based on actual events stretch things.
Captain Philips. While the story did happen, the events are different. For one, his crew has described him as difficult to work with and a poor captain. Second, all ships passing through that area had been warned by NATO and IMO to stay at least 600 miles from the coast due to pirate activity in the area. He chose to sail as close as 235 miles in an effort to save time and get his bonus for a fast trip, and ignored his crews concerns/protests about doing so. Third, his own crew filed a lawsuit against him and the shipping line for the recklessness that put them in the situation. Fourth, he didn’t follow company protocol for hijacking. After cutting power to the ship, he was supposed to lock himself and the crew in the hold but was captured instead. Fifth, Phillips claims he offered himself up as a hostage in exchange for his crew. His crew has stated that is not true, and that he was involuntarily taken.
Catch Me If You Can” is loosely based on a true story but takes plenty of creative liberties.
a beautiful mind – trueish, but took a lot of liberties
This goes without saying, but Unplanned (2019), about former Planned Parenthood employee turned anti-abortion crusader Abby Johnson
Sleepers.
The writer stated that it was a true story but then he back tracked about it on a talk show like Steven Segal about his CIA involvement.
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Still one of my favorites though.
Braveheart. I recall one historian mentioning what it got right: “Wallace did exist and he did die. That’s about it.”
Anything with ‘based on a true story’ and ‘starring Mel Gibson’
Paranormal activity
Changeling (2008)
It happened. But the kid in it who testified against his serial killer uncle and then got released – his psychiatrists thinking he was reformed (despite helping his uncle while being a victim too) – got tangled up in a murder case when he was 48 that he and his adopted son are both possible suspects allegedly.
Fargo is probably the best example of a false true story
the intro screen to the pilot episode of The X-Files says it’s based on true events, so take that for what you will
The Blind Side – Michael Oher disputes much of it, and has sued the Tuohys over how they got conservatorship (not adoption).
Bones of Pursuit of Happiness are more or less accurate (unqualified guy tries to get Wall Street job just through grit), but Chris Gardner didn’t have his kid with him most of the time, and was a way rougher character than portrayed in the film.
Same film where Will Smith also snorts cocaine regularly and has a mistress would’ve been interesting.