Back in Time Today
Truth is often stranger than fiction, and sometimes, it’s so bizarre that even Hollywood can’t handle it. Here are 22 real-life stories so unbelievable that filmmakers either passed on them or had to tone them down for the screen.
1. The Most Dangerous Movie Ever Made
During the making of Roar (1981), more than 70 cast and crew members were injured by untrained big cats. Director Noel Marshall and actress Tippi Hedren insisted on using real lions and tigers, leading to chaos on set.
The filming took 11 years and nearly ruined their lives and finances, showcasing a passion that bordered on reckless obsession. The film stands as a testament to the hazards of unrealistic ambition in filmmaking.
2. The Orphan Who Wasn’t
Natalia Grace, a Ukrainian adoptee with dwarfism, was accused by her adoptive parents of being an adult con artist. They abandoned her, claiming she was dangerous.
Legal battles ensued over her true age, and DNA tests suggested she was born around 2001, but courts upheld an earlier ruling that she was born in 1989. Her story blurs lines between truth and deception, raising questions about identity and family responsibility.
3. Napoleon’s Bunny Battle
Napoleon Bonaparte once organized a rabbit hunt for his men, only for the rabbits to launch a counterattack instead of fleeing.
The organizers had bought tame rabbits accustomed to being fed, leading to a comical scene of Napoleon retreating from a horde of bunnies. This amusing event stands as a quirky footnote in the life of a military genius.
4. Mistaken Identity at a Funeral
After a tragic car accident, two women were misidentified, leading one family to bury the wrong daughter. The other family kept vigil over someone else’s child in a coma.
The error was discovered five weeks later when the survivor regained consciousness and identified herself. This heartbreaking story reveals the chaos and confusion following a traumatic event.
5. The Man Who Survived 28 Hours at Sea
Brett Archibald fell overboard during a storm in the Indian Ocean, spending 28 hours treading water. He battled dehydration, hallucinations, and marine life before being rescued.
His survival story is nothing short of miraculous, highlighting the human spirit’s endurance in the face of overwhelming adversity. Brett’s tale is one of courage and sheer willpower.
6. The Woman Who Married the Eiffel Tower
Erika Eiffel, a former soldier, developed a romantic relationship with the Eiffel Tower and legally married it in a commitment ceremony.
Identifying as an objectum sexual, she is attracted to inanimate objects. Her story challenges conventional notions of love and relationships, providing insight into a rare and misunderstood orientation.
7. The Great Emu War
In 1932, Australia declared war on emus that were damaging crops. Armed soldiers faced off against the flightless birds, only to be outmaneuvered by them.
The campaign failed, becoming a humorous chapter in military history, illustrating the unpredictability of nature and the limits of human control. The Great Emu War is both laughable and thought-provoking.
8. The Marathon That Was a Mess
The 1904 Olympic marathon in St. Louis was a disaster, with runners facing extreme heat and dusty roads. One runner was given strychnine and brandy as a stimulant, while another hitched a ride in a car.
The winner was nearly disqualified, showcasing the chaos of the event. This marathon remains a bizarre footnote in Olympic history, highlighting the challenges of early 20th-century sports.
9. The Man Who Survived a Fall from the Sky
In 1963, Ivan Chisov, a Soviet airman, fell 22,000 feet without a parachute after his bomber was hit. Losing consciousness due to lack of oxygen, he landed on a snowy slope, surviving with injuries.
His unconscious state likely saved his life by preventing him from tensing up. Ivan’s tale is a testament to human survival against all odds, defying gravity and fate alike.
10. The Town That Vanished
In 1930, the entire population of the Inuit village of Angikuni Lake in Canada reportedly vanished without a trace. Trappers found abandoned homes, food on tables, and no signs of struggle.
Despite investigations, no conclusive explanation has been found. This mysterious disappearance adds to the lore of unsolved enigmas, leaving imaginations and theories to fill the void.
11. The Man Who Lived with Grizzlies
Timothy Treadwell spent 13 summers living among grizzly bears in Alaska, believing he had a special bond with them. In 2003, he and his girlfriend were tragically killed by a bear.
His story was documented in Werner Herzog’s film Grizzly Man, highlighting the thin line between fascination and fatality in human-animal interactions. Timothy’s life and death provoke thought on human coexistence with nature.
12. The Real-Life Tarzan
Marina Chapman claims she was kidnapped at age five and abandoned in the Colombian jungle, where she lived with capuchin monkeys for five years. She learned to forage and survive before being rescued.
Her story, met with skepticism, remains fascinating for its depiction of human adaptability and the blurring of lines between human and animal worlds. Marina’s tale is one of resilience and mystery.
13. The Man Who Fought a Crocodile
Rod Ansell survived two months in the Australian outback after his boat capsized. He drank cow blood, slept with snakes, and fought off crocodiles.
His story inspired the film Crocodile Dundee, but his life ended tragically in a police shootout. Rod’s tale is one of survival against the harshest conditions, a testament to human tenacity and the unpredictability of fate.
14. The Woman Who Gave Birth in Space
In 2009, a woman claimed to have been abducted by aliens and impregnated during the encounter. She stated she gave birth to a hybrid child in space and was later returned to Earth.
Her story, widely dismissed, remains a topic of UFO lore, highlighting the allure of extraterrestrial encounters and the mysteries of the unknown. This tale teeters between skepticism and curiosity.
15. The Man Who Survived Two Atomic Bombs
Tsutomu Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima on business when the first atomic bomb was dropped. Surviving, he returned home to Nagasaki, where he endured the second bombing three days later.
Living to 93, his story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amid the horrors of war. Yamaguchi’s life is a poignant reminder of survival and hope in times of despair.
16. The Ghost Ship with a Dead Crew
In 1947, the SS Ourang Medan sent a distress signal: “All officers including captain are dead…lying in chartroom and bridge…possibly whole crew dead.” Rescuers found the crew dead with terrified expressions.
The ship exploded shortly after, and the mystery remains unsolved. The tale of the Ourang Medan is a chilling enigma, leaving questions about the sea’s secrets unanswered.
17. The Man Who Escaped Alcatraz
In 1962, Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin escaped from Alcatraz using a raft made of raincoats. Despite extensive searches, they were never found.
The FBI closed the case in 1979, but theories about their survival persist. The Alcatraz escape remains one of the most infamous prison breaks, blending ingenuity with mystery and sparking endless intrigue.
18. The Town That Changed Time
In 1947, the town of Marfa, Texas, began experiencing mysterious lights in the sky. The phenomenon continues, with no definitive explanation.
These lights have inspired numerous investigations and theories, captivating imaginations and challenging perceptions of reality. The Marfa Lights embody the unknown and continue to mesmerize observers with their elusive nature.
19. The Man Who Lived in an Airport
Mehran Karimi Nasseri lived in Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport from 1988 to 2006 due to a complex legal situation.
His story inspired the film The Terminal, but the real-life events were even more complicated and tragic. Nasseri’s life at the airport exemplifies the intersection of bureaucracy and human resilience, offering a poignant commentary on displacement.
20. The Woman Who Survived a Fall from Space
In 1961, cosmonaut Valentin Bondarenko died during a training accident, but his death was kept secret for years. The Soviet Union only acknowledged it decades later, highlighting the secrecy of the space race era.
This tale underscores the hidden perils of space exploration and the courage of those who venture into the unknown. Bondarenko’s story is a somber reflection on ambition and risk.
21. The Man Who Invented a Language
John Quijada created Ithkuil, a constructed language designed to express deeper levels of human cognition. Despite its complexity, it gained a cult following and was even used in academic settings.
Quijada’s invention challenges linguistic norms, offering a unique glimpse into language’s potential to unlock human thought. Ithkuil stands as a testament to the power of imagination and the quest for understanding.
22. The Woman Who Woke Up in a Morgue
In 2018, a South African woman was declared dead after a car accident and taken to a morgue. Later, staff found her breathing in the fridge.
She was rushed to the hospital and recovered, leading to an investigation. This astonishing story highlights the thin line between life and death, sparking both horror and relief.