Just because a movie is based on a true story does not mean you should take what happens in it as gospel. If this list is anything to go by, you'd be better off ditching the theater and heading to the library to do the research yourself.
Here are 10 "based on a true story" movies that took some pretty significant creative liberties.
1
A Beautiful Mind
Despite heavily dealing with themes of mental illness, the movie incorrectly portrays many symptoms, and glosses over more troubling facts about John Nash’s life.
2
Rudy
Rudy paints the story of a beloved practice squad player who finally makes an impact at Notre Dame. By all accounts, “Rudy” was not well liked by anyone and was not celebrated for his impact.
3
Moneyball
Although a great movie, Moneyball combined multiple men into Jonah Hill’s character and portrays manager Art Howe as the villain despite him being on board with Billy’s plan in real life. The movie also completely forgets to mention the A’s already had some of the best players in baseball on their team.
4
Sully
While there were serious investigations into the “Miracle on the Hudson” incident, Captain Sully Sullenberger was not held to the fire or blamed for his decisions the way Tom Hanks’s character is in the movie.
5
Pear Harbor
This movie gets basic elements of the attack incorrect for dramatic effect, including Japanese tactics and the American response. The Japanese did not target medical and civilian areas, instead focusing on ships and efficiency.
6
Napoleon
Director Ridley Scott told fact checkers to “Get a Life.” There’s even a scene where France bombs the Great Pyramids. That’s all you need to know.
7
The Sound of Music
According to members of the von Trapp family, the story is very inaccurate. There was also no dramatic escape as portrayed, and the von Trapp family simply left by getting on a train.
8
Open Water
In 1998, two people went missing on a scuba trip and their camera was found in a shark. After that, the entire plot of this movie is made up.
9
U-571
This movie about brave Americans capturing a German WWII U-boat is actually based on a time British and Canadian soldiers accomplished that feat. It's also the wrong U-boat.
10
Fargo
Although Fargo claims to be based on a true story, the filmmakers included that detail as a joke. The movie is complete fiction.
