The Real Story

The biggest movie and TV franchise of all time, Star Trek spawned more than 700 TV episodes and twelve films. Creator Gene Roddenberry's vision of the future helped inspire today's scientists to develop the first scientific principles of teleportation, the creation of artificial intelligence, androids, and more. Now, scientists, series producers, the first Trekkies, and Spock himself, Leonard Nimoy, provide new insights into a show that inspired audiences everywhere to create a better world.

In "Live Free or Die Hard," the fourth chapter in the high-octane action franchise, a mastermind cyber-criminal holds America hostage by wreaking havoc via the Internet. It's a great thriller, but could this imagined scenario ever happen in real life? According to recent history, it already has. The true crimes are as dramatic as anything Hollywood could imagine. See how an all-out cyber-attack on the U.S. is a very real possibility. Then meet the government officials and former hackers tasked with ensuring our digital space is safe.

Oliver Stone's Oscar-winning film "Platoon" brought the true horror of the Vietnam War to the big screen. Based on Stone's own experiences as a soldier in the conflict, the film captivated millions of viewers all over the world. But how much of the film was real and how much was Hollywood fiction? To reveal the real story, we recreate scenes; uncover a radio transmission from the battle that inspired the movie's climax, and interview writer/director Oliver Stone and cast member Willem Dafoe.

The Hollywood blockbuster "The Da Vinci Code" captivated audiences worldwide while outraging the Catholic Church. Its plot line, suggesting Jesus was married and fathered children, is presented as fact but how much of the movie is really true? Did da Vinci actually leave hidden clues in his paintings? Is there indeed a secret society protecting the bloodline of Christ? Join our team of real-life code breakers, Renaissance experts, and professors of religion and language as we uncover the truth behind this controversial film.

The slasher classic "Scream" reinvigorated the horror genre, creating a scary movie icon and launching a frightening film franchise. The gorefest may seem like Hollywood fiction, but it was actually inspired by a real-life killing spree that sent an idyllic Florida town into a panic. Uncover the terrifying true events behind the horror film as we investigate the parallels between the fictional serial killer and the real-life serial killer: The Gainesville Ripper.