Mark is the producer of the official Bletchley Park podcast. He joins us today to discuss the historical accuracy of the 2014 film The Imitation Game and do some fact checking on the original Based on a True Story episode from back in 2016.

Learn more about the true story

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The Imitation Game with Mark Cotton

We've all seen movies that claim to be 'based on a true story', but have you ever wondered how accurate they are? That's what we'll find out as we compare Hollywood with history.

TV & Film

History

Society & Culture

In the 2004 biographical drama The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the eccentric and brilliant Howard Hughes, a maverick filmmaker and aviation tycoon who revolutionized Hollywood and the airline industry. The film chronicles Hughes' obsessive pursuit of perfection and his struggle with mental illness, offering a captivating glimpse into the life of one of the 20th century's most fascinating and enigmatic figures.
Today, we'll learn compare the true story with the movie's version along with legendary journalist and Howard Hughes biographer James B. Steele.

Learn more about the true story with James' book:

Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness https://links.boatspodcast.com/314book


Get James' other work: 


Forevermore, Nuclear Waste in America https://links.boatspodcast.com/314forevermore



America: Who Really Pays the Taxes? https://links.boatspodcast.com/314taxes



The Betrayal of the American Dream https://links.boatspodcast.com/314americandream



America: What Went Wrong?: The Crisis Deepens https://links.boatspodcast.com/314crisisdeepens



America: What Went Wrong? https://links.boatspodcast.com/314america


James Steele and Donald Barlett's website: https://links.boatspodcast.com/314guest



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The Aviator with James B. Steele

In this episode, we'll learn about historical events between April 15th and April 21st as they're shown in the movies. We'll also learn about birthdays from historical figures who have been portrayed in the movies as well as recommendations for a movie that first premiered this week in history.

Events from This Week in History


The Conspirator | BOATS #175



Pearl Harbor | BOATS #212


The Red Baron


Birthdays from This Week in History

The Life of Leonardo da Vinci


Breach | BOATS #69



Valkyrie | BOATS #62



Movies Released This Week in History

The Conspirator | BOATS #175


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This Week: The Conspirator, Pearl Harbor, The Red Baron

In this episode, we'll learn about historical events between April 8th and April 14th as they're shown in the movies. We'll also learn about birthdays from historical figures who have been portrayed in the movies as well as recommendations for a movie that first premiered this week in history.

Events from This Week in History


Lincoln | BOATS #170



Apollo 13 | BOATS #15



The Conspirator | BOATS #175



Titanic | BOATS #35



Birthdays from This Week in History

The First Lady


Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier | BOATS #151 or The Alamo | BOATS #172


Gunpowder


Movies Released This Week in History

Sweetwater or The Pope's Exorcist


Did you enjoy this episode?

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This Week: Lincoln, Apollo 13, The Conspirator, Titanic

In this episode, we'll learn about historical events between April 1st and April 7th as they're shown in the movies. We'll also learn about birthdays from historical figures who have been portrayed in the movies as well as recommendations for a movie that first premiered this week in history.

Events from This Week in History


The Highwaymen | BOATS #178



The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford | BOATS #166


Grant


Birthdays from This Week in History


A United Kingdom | BOATS #238



Pearl Harbor | BOATS #212 or Midway | BOATS #158


The United States vs Billie Holiday


Movies Released This Week in History
The Best of Enemies

Did you enjoy this episode?

Find everything at: https://links.boatspodcast.com/311


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This Week: The Highwaymen, The Assassination of Jesse James, Grant

In this episode, we'll learn about historical events between March 25th and March 31st as they're shown in the movies. We'll also learn about birthdays from historical figures who have been portrayed in the movies as well as recommendations for a movie that first premiered this week in history.

Events from This Week in History

Immortal Beloved

Knute Rockne All American


Birthdays from This Week in History


At Eternity's Gate | BOATS #193


The Naked Maja

Bach, the animated series


Movies Released This Week in History
The Zookeeper's Wife

Did you enjoy this episode?

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The Imitation Game with Mark Cotton

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