phrases - Movies 'based on' v. 'inspired by' true events


I have heard there is a difference between movies 'based on' verses those 'inspired by' true events. Does one relationship with the 'true events' have more license than another, or is it just the director's discretion as to which phrase to use?



Answer



Both are sufficiently vague that the author can use them however he/she wants. Both wordings could mean anything from "nothing like the actual events" on up to "exactly like the actual events".


So the director / author can and will decide which best fits their marketing motivations, in a matter of connotation and style.


I could imagine that a more artistic movie would use the term "inspired by", and an action movie would connect better with "based on" for example.


Outside the context of art, I think "based on" does imply a closer resemblance to fact.


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