Sometimes films and other media delve into fantasy, speculative fiction or other whole-cloth-based plots and characters.
Other times, the directors and writers decide to take a true story and write a story based on it.
After all, as the saying goes, reality is often stranger than fiction.
It can also be more compelling, depending on the story's series of events.
However, writers sometimes have to embellish or compress events for the sake of plot or running time.
The disclaimer "based on a true story" can be tricky; how much of the story really has to be true? The operative word in "based on a true story" is "based.
" When writing a plot inspired by actual events, you have some leeway because you are making an adaptation.
A one-to-one retelling of the events may not work best on the screen, so it's okay to slightly tweak the plot.
The amount you can adapt depends on whether the people concerned are still alive.
Presenting someone in an unflattering light when that person is still alive could potentially lead to lawsuits.
To avert this, writers consult as many people involved as possible and get their permission to depict them.
If you've seen the TV show "Dragnet," you've heard the phrase "Names have been changed to protect the innocent.
" This means that characters' roles and relationships to one another remain mostly intact and that there is some sense of truth to the proceedings that occur in the film, although the characters' names have been changed.
This is especially important for stories involving crime and punishment; victims who had previously adjusted their lives after the crime would not want to be cast back into a negative spotlight.
People under a witness protection program may not be allowed to reveal their identity or present location.
Using different names provides a way around this.
Sometimes changing the events of a story has been thought to add to the film.
For example, in the film "Rudy," Notre Dame coach Dan Devine refused to let Rudy play in the final game of the season.
The other players recognized his effort during practice and his desire to play, and all of them offered their spots to Rudy so he could play.
In reality, Devine was the one to suggest that Rudy get on the field for the game.
When asked about this, Devine stated that he felt the change added more weight to the film and Rudy making the final play of the game.
The message of the film is about overcoming almost impossible odds, and having the coach act more antagonistic than he actually was augments this end.
Historical films are prone to twisting the truth for various reasons.
For example, in "Pearl Harbor", Admiral Kimmel is portrayed as being even more unprepared for the attack on the base than he was historically.
Historical events are often twisted when writing period films to provide a form of propaganda for one party or another.
Although the original people involved may not be alive, their estate might take issue with less-than-accurate portrayals.
Political climates can drastically influence how screenplay writers choose to portray historical figures.
A strong anti-American sentiment can drive them to portray American military personnel as incompetent.
Even in remote history, films that are "based on a true story" can still provide a form of propaganda and be effective.
For example, in "300," the Spartans are portrayed as being the only Greek soldiers that show up at Thermopylae, discounting the 700 Thespians and others that were there historically, as well as quadrupling the number of Persian soldiers.
The actual events of the film portray the Spartans frequently fighting in one-on-one battle, which historically did not happen; the Spartans stayed in their phalanx formation during battle.
In addition, in-story narrator Dilios portrays the Persian forces as being monstrous in order to boost the Spartans' morale prior to the battle of Platea, which takes place at the end of the film.
The Persians were also made out to be tyrannical, when in reality they let colonies live as they wished, as long as tribute was paid.
Therefore, when a film disclaimer says "based on a true story," the amounts of truth and fiction will vary with the intentions of the writers, as well as with how much they believe they can get away with legally changing.
When viewing a film based on real events, it's important to realize that the filmmakers want to draw audiences first.
Doing your research on the actual events behind a film "based on a true story" can enhance your understanding and appreciation of the film and its creative value.